The 5 Best Hydroponic Stores in Ottawa for Sustainable Indoor Growing
My mom’s always been fascinated by the idea of growing her own herbs and veggies, especially after seeing our neighbor’s garden flourish.
But the problem is, we don’t exactly have the space or ideal conditions for a traditional garden.
That’s when I realized hydroponics could be the perfect fix. You don’t need much space, no soil, and you can even grow plants indoors all year long.
Excited to dive into this new hobby, I did my homework and compiled a list of Ottawa’s best hydroponic stores.
These places have everything you need to get started and make sure your indoor garden thrives!
| How much do hydroponic supplies cost in Ottawa? Hydroponic supplies in Ottawa typically range from $50 to $120, depending on the type of equipment and the scale of your setup. Bulk pricing or custom packages may also be available for larger projects or specialized setups. |
1. Hydroculture Emporium Inc.
Address: 1315 Richmond Road
Phone: (613) 715-9472
Business Hours:
- Monday to Friday: 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM
- Saturday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- Sunday: Closed
Owned by Java Bergeron, Hydroculture Emporium Inc. has been a staple in the Ottawa hydroponics scene since 2001. In fact, it’s a local favorite.
Their solid range of hydroponic supplies includes root enhancers, plant food, and bulking formulas. Be it diving into it for the first time or restocking some essentials, you can find the right products here.
What I like the most is their fair pricing. You can already get a 946 ml vegan plant booster for just $18.99—such a steal.
And for the newbies? Hydroculture Emporium Inc. has a team of certified horticulturists. They’ll ensure you make the right choices for your plants.
Despite the knowledgeable staff, some customers have noted slower response times when it comes to customer service. So, if you’re itchy to get your supplies, this might not be the place for you.
Customer Reviews
Honest advice and service
“My go to store for years. Honest advice and service. Sometimes even get free samples with purchases. If they don’t have products you want they can usually accommodate or in some cases they have other products in stock that are the exact same just branded different. Even met some product reps in store that taught me alot after 10 years experience. They never try to put me on their products or upsell me, honest service and tips even from the product reps stopping in.”
— Kyle Thomson, Google Review
Friendly and knowledgeable owner
“The little store is great. The owner is not only super friendly, he knows his stuff and he always does his utmost to help you get what you need. I have been going here for a long time and there is never the feeling of having unnecessary products pushed on you and I have not had a single bad experience at this place. It has everything you need.”
— David Roxborough, Google Review
2. Growing with Johnny Genetix
Address: 1541 Star Top Road Unit 10
Phone: (343) 312-5978
Business Hours:
- Monday to Friday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Saturday & Sunday: Closed
Just a 15-minute drive from the main city, you’ll find Growing with Johnny Genetix. This shop has been a trusted source of top-notch hydroponic equipment for quite some time.
They take pride in curating every detail, from controlled environment tents and precise lighting setups to meters and solutions that ensure optimal growing conditions.
Growing’s Autopot XL kits, clay pebbles, and Root Spa Gal systems are just a glimpse of their impressive selection. With their extensive products, you’ll achieve great results in your hydroponic endeavors.
Plus, I appreciate that Growing offers personalized eGift cards starting at $25. It’s a thoughtful gift that allows you to invite a friend into this hobby and lets them choose what they need.
But before you get too excited, some have reported that their customer service has faced criticism for unprofessional behavior. This leads to frustrating interactions and a tarnished experience.
Customer Reviews
Friendly and knowledgeable owners
“I gotta say… I’m pretty impressed with this hydroponics store. I met one of the owners today “Trevor” and he was a pretty friendly and knowledgeable guy. The store is extremely well organized, it’s super clean, and a lot of the in store inventory is priced right. I ended up buying a pretty cool grow light, and I’ll eventually go back there to grab another tent. For a newer store in Ottawa, I think I’m going to go there from now on. It’s a little far from where I live in the West, but definitely worth the drive.”
— Micheal Carling, Google Review
Great prices and excellent customer service
“This store has great prices and excellent customer service! The owner is very responsive when contacted, which can’t be said about every store. The employees are very knowledgeable and are always happy to help by giving advice when needed. They offer very efficient and quick delivery. Overall very pleased with my shopping experience with these guys!”
— nicholas chong, Google Review
3. GrOh Canada
Phone: (800) 670-0735
Business Hours:
- Monday to Friday: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
- Saturday & Sunday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
When it comes to a standout player in the hydroponic supply industry, GrOh Canada is in a league of its own. They don’t just offer top-notch products but also help you get set up, ready to grow, and harvest.
All these are backed by a highly trained and professional team that assists novice and experienced hydroponic gardeners in achieving excellent yields.
And when it comes to the products, GrOh Canada has a curated inventory that consists solely of products that they personally use and trust.
Shipping costs are covered for orders over $99. To put it simply, you won’t encounter surprise fees for delivery.
On the downside, if you live in a remote area, shipping fees aren’t flat and increase based on your location. These extra costs can quickly add up and strain your budget.
Customer Reviews
No pushy sales tactics
“I am a new grower so before I bought a kit I called Groh canada alot of times to ask questions. I have Lupus so I am hoping to grow my medicine to reduce the cost, and because I enjoy growing.They were always happy to speak with me and eventually got to know my number and voice right away. There was no pushy sales tactics.”
— Nicole Whissell, Google Review
Fair delivery time
“Contact service’s could be better. But overall my package was shipped, and I received it within 5 business days. Which is a fair to good time to expect to wait. I might recommend this website, if their customer services were fixed up.”
— Edward Oreilly, Google Review
4. Ritchie Feed & Seed Inc.
Address: 5901 Richmond Street
Phone: (613) 838-5959
Business Hours:
- Monday to Friday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Saturday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Sunday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Founded by John Ritchie in 1927, Ritchie Feed & Seed Inc. is the oldest garden center in Ottawa.
Their product quality is outstanding. They offer nutrient solutions and growth media that are meticulously balanced to keep your plants healthy and productive.
However, compared to other providers on this list, their stock availability isn’t as extensive. Limited stock may potentially delay your growing process.
On the bright side, I was impressed by how welcoming and knowledgeable the staff were. They provided practical tips and advice that were incredibly helpful for someone new to hydroponics.
Customer Reviews
Courteous, friendly, and knowledgeable staff
“Recently started going here for all our trees flowers and plants. Staff is courteous and friendly and knowledgeable. Always willing to go the extra mile. Quality of stock is second to none and prices are quite reasonable. I would recommend this place to anyone looking for plants trees flowers and the like.”
— Dave and Cathy O’Neill, Google Review
Fantastic selection
“Fantastic selection! Can be super busy, time your visits before or after busy times like weekends, mother’s day, father’s day, and the may long weekend. Be prepared to wait in line to pay too. Highly recommend signing up for the garden club online. Makes purchases easier to manage and get a slight discount 😊”
— Dan McManus, Google Review
5. The Home Depot
Address: 2056 Bank Street
Phone: (613) 739-5300
Business Hours:
- Monday to Friday: 6:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Saturday: 7:00 AM – 8:00 PM
- Sunday: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Nobody probably guessed that The Home Depot would make it onto the list of prominent hydroponics suppliers in Ottawa.
Upon checking their garden center, they offer a surprisingly wide array of hydroponic systems, many of which have garnered praise for their functionality and convenience.
The Viagrow Deep Water Culture (DWC) Systems and AeroGarden Systems stand out as some of their most notable products. Both are easy to set up, making them accessible for beginners.
The team at The Home Depot is well-regarded. They offer assistance via in-store help and customer support lines to ensure you have all the support needed at every step of your gardening journey.
However, while Home Depot is known for affordable products, some specialized hydroponic equipment is priced higher than local competitors.
Customer Reviews
Super knowledgeable and approachable staff
“I’ve been here at least a handful of times already, and I’m so happy with the service I receive every time. The staff are super knowledgeable and approachable, even for people like me who are unfamiliar with home hardware and adjustments. They are always eager to help out and are readily available to ask questions to. They provide great expertise and I’ve been able to find everything I’ve wanted so far. Ps: they also have a great return policy. Unfortunately bought light bulbs that were too white and then too yellow, to which I returned them both for the one in between.”
— Michael L., Yelp
Huge garden center with a happy vibe
“I absolutely love this Home Depot. The staff are so friendly and I’m always greeted and asked if I can find anything when walking in. The vibe here is just so happy and I can literally browse here for hours. The garden centre is huge, and I always find myself here on the weekend. It’s night and day compared to Lowe’s down the street.”
— Ashley G., Yelp