HydroGrow: A Survey on IoT- and ML-based Intelligent Hydroponic Farming Systems

Abstract— Hydroponics is increasingly recognized as a sustainable and efficient alternative to conventional soil-based farming, particularly in urban areas constrained by limited land and unpredictable climatic conditions. When integrated with Internet of Things (IoT) technologies, hydroponic systems enable real-time monitoring and precise control of critical parameters such as pH, electrical conductivity, water levels, temperature, and humidity. This fusion of soilless agriculture with controlled environment systems enhances crop productivity, reduces water consumption by up to 80–90%, and minimizes nutrient wastage through data-driven optimization. The use of low-cost sensors, cloud-based platforms, and mobile applications further facilitates remote management, automation, and predictive decision-making, reducing labor demands while improving system reliability. By ensuring healthier plant growth, faster cultivation cycles, and improved resource efficiency, IoT-enabled hydroponic systems demonstrate significant potential to transform urban agriculture into a scalable, climate-resilient, and environmentally friendly food production model. This study underscores the role of integrating IoT and smart control systems into hydroponics as a practical pathway toward sustainable food security in resource-constrained and climate-vulnerable regions. Keywords: Hydroponics,Agriculture, IoT, Machine Learning