Rimworld: Hydroponics Layout [Explained With Images]

eXputer's RimWorld Hydroponics Layout guide will show you the best way to arrange your Hydroponics basins in the game.

While there’s no such thing as a perfect RimWorld hydroponics layout, there is an optimal arrangement that utilizes all of the space available to you while also minimizing wasted blocks. Many players probably have their own layouts that work well for them, but this one is, without a doubt, the one that gives you the most bang for your buck.

Key Takeaways
  • RimWorld players aim to establish a self-sufficient colony and defend it from threats.
  • To protect colonies in mountainous areas, players need a Hydroponics Layout to address food shortages.
  • Hydroponics is indoor farming requiring hydroponics basins and electricity, unlocked by researching Electricity and completing Battery research.
  • Construction involves setting up a Sun Lamp and placing Hydroponics Basins within its radius.
  • To use hydroponics, designate a Growing Zone, select a crop, and assign skilled colonists.
  • An Optimal layout, in my opinion, requires Power Conduit access for all Basins and temperature maintenance between 10°C and 42°C.
  • Unlocking hydroponics is vital as enemy attacks become frequent after a few hours of play.

What Are Hydroponics In RimWorld?

Rimworld Hydroponics Layout
Hydroponics.

In RimWorld, hydroponics offers an indoor farming method, ideal for mountain colonies lacking sunlight and fertile soil. Use Hydroponics Basins for faster plant growth, but they demand substantial steel, and constant electricity.

Unlocking hydroponics is easy after a few hours, but consider regular farming initially. Prioritize colony foundations and conventional farming until facing frequent enemy attacks, then swiftly transition to hydroponics.

How To Unlock Hydroponics Basin

Rimworld Hydroponics Layout
Electricity Research.

In order to get to the hydroponics layout you desire, first begin researching Electricity in the Research tab. This requires you to first construct a research bench and then designate at least one colonist to begin working on it. Unfortunately, you cannot right-click to prioritize this task for someone since it is a long-term endeavor. All you can do is wait until it’s complete.

Once the research on Electricity has finished, you will gain access to a bunch of new research projects like Hydroponics and Batteries. I highly recommend that you go ahead and complete Battery first since it will allow you to construct batteries.

RimWorld Hydroponics Layout
Hydroponics Research.

This is useful because you don’t have a lot of steady sources of power in the early game, and batteries will store any and all power you generate. So when there does comes a time when there is no sunlight or wind, the batteries will have enough juice to keep your Hydroponics Basins running.

Similar Article: How To Farm Life Fruit In Terraria.

The Optimal Hydroponics Layout

Rimworld Hydroponics Layout
Rimworld Hydroponics Layout.

Now, for the sake of convenience, I’m going to assume that it is currently a growing season in your game. In that situation, the image seen below is perfect for your crops. But if that’s not the case, you may have to install equipment like heaters to bring the temperature down to where crops can actually grow.

Plants require a temperature within the 10 °C – 42 °C range for them to grow properly. Once that requirement has been met, you can proceed forward.

The pattern seen below is the optimal hydroponics layout with the least amount of wasted space from my experience.  

Rimworld Hydroponics Layout
The Optimal Arrangement.

Place the Hydroponics Basins exactly as seen above and ensure that they all have access to a Power Conduit. Once that’s done, designate the entire thing as a Growing Zone and select which crop you want to plant. Also, make sure that colonists with proficiency in the plant skills are set to work in the area.

Similar Article: The Best Crops To Grow In Stardew Valley.

For reference, the button in the image below is how you choose your favored crop.

RimWorld hydroponics layout
Choosing Your Crop.

Once all of these steps have been completed, your plants should start growing indoors at around twice the speed than they would in regular rich soil. Now, you also don’t have to ever worry about your colonists getting attacked. This has been eXputer’s RimWorld Hydroponics Layout guide.

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Huzaifa is eXputer's Review Editor, who’s all about RPG games. He’s got several years of experience critically judging games and writing his unbiased thoughts on them. You can also find his content published on sites like Twinfinite & GearNuke. Huzaifa has been gaming for 23+ years, during which he managed to amass 400+ hours on Elden Ring! You can follow his gaming activity on his Xbox and Steam Profiles.

Experience: 5+ years || Previously Worked At GearNuke & Twinfinite || Mainly Covers RPG Guides & Latest Games Reviews || Education: Bachelors in Hospitality.

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