RimWorld Hydroponics Layout: Optimizing Your Indoor Farming Setup
Hydroponics in RimWorld is the best way to grow crops indoors, especially in cold biomes, toxic fallout, or sunlamp-only bases. But getting the perfect layout can be tricky—poor planning leads to power failures, wasted space, and inefficient food production.
In this guide, you’ll learn:
✔️ The best hydroponics layouts for efficiency
✔️ How to power your hydroponic farms
✔️ What crops to grow for survival
✔️ How to keep plants alive during power outages
Let’s optimize your RimWorld hydroponics setup for maximum food production! ??
Why Use Hydroponics in RimWorld?
✔️ Faster Growth: Crops grow 230% faster than soil planting.
✔️ Year-Round Farming: Works in ice sheets, caves, and toxic fallout zones.
✔️ Compact and Space-Saving: More crops in smaller indoor areas.
❌ Downsides:
- Needs constant power (plants die in 24 hours without electricity).
- Expensive setup (requires research and components).
- High power consumption (sunlamps + hydro basins = energy drain).
Tip: Always have a backup power source to avoid crop loss during solar flares.
Best RimWorld Hydroponics Layouts
A well-designed hydroponics farm must:
✔️ Maximize growing space
✔️ Minimize power consumption
✔️ Be easy to maintain and harvest
1️⃣ The Standard Sunlamp Layout (Best for Beginners)
Setup:
- 24 hydroponic basins placed within one sunlamp’s light radius.
- 1 Sunlamp in the center for even light coverage.
- Heaters & coolers to maintain ideal 21°C (70°F) temperature.
✔️ Efficient use of space
✔️ Easy to manage and expand
✔️ Great for small colonies
❌ Uses high power (~3,200W with sunlamp + basins)
❌ Plants die fast in power outages
Tip: Connect to batteries or backup generators for emergencies.
2️⃣ The Solar-Powered Hydroponics Setup (Energy Efficient)
Setup:
- Use sunlamps ONLY during daylight (6 AM – 9 PM) to save power.
- Connect to solar panels & batteries for consistent energy supply.
- Include wind turbines or geothermal generators for backup.
✔️ Saves energy during daylight hours
✔️ Less strain on power grid
✔️ Great for off-grid colonies
❌ Needs batteries for nighttime power
❌ Useless during eclipse events
Tip: Turn off sunlamps at night using power switches to reduce drain.
3️⃣ The Compact Hydroponics Layout (Best for Small Bases)
Setup:
- 8-12 hydroponics basins per sunlamp instead of 24.
- Smaller room = fewer heaters needed.
- Ideal for growing key crops in tight spaces.
✔️ Works well in small bunkers or mountain bases
✔️ Lower power use than full layouts
✔️ Easier to maintain
❌ Less food output than larger layouts
❌ Not suitable for big colonies
Tip: Use multiple compact setups instead of one large farm for redundancy.
Best Crops to Grow in Hydroponics
Some crops thrive in hydroponics, while others aren’t worth the power cost.
? Best Crops:
✔️ Rice – Grows in just 2.5 days, perfect for fast food supply.
✔️ Strawberries – Can be eaten raw with high nutrition.
✔️ Cotton – Essential for clothes & trade value.
✔️ Healroot – Needed for medicine in long games.
? Worst Crops:
❌ Corn – Takes too long to grow.
❌ Potatoes – Not worth the power cost.
❌ Haygrass – Uses too much space for low food yield.
Tip: Rotate rice & strawberries for balanced nutrition & survival food.
Power Management for Hydroponics
Hydroponics drain a LOT of power, so you need efficient energy solutions.
✔️ Each Hydroponics Basin uses 70W
✔️ Each Sunlamp uses 2,900W
✔️ Each Heater uses 175W (for cold biomes)
? Best Power Sources for Hydroponics:
✔️ Geothermal Generators – Reliable, infinite power.
✔️ Wind Turbines + Batteries – Works well in open areas.
✔️ Solar Panels – Perfect for daytime-only hydroponics.
✔️ Wood-Fired Generators – Good backup for power outages.
Tip: Use power switches to turn off hydroponics during solar flares to prevent draining energy.
How to Prevent Crop Death During Power Failures
Hydroponics plants die in 24 hours without power. To prevent food loss:
✔️ Keep extra batteries charged.
✔️ Have a backup generator (wood, chemfuel, or geothermal).
✔️ Build emergency soil farms in case hydroponics fail.
✔️ Turn off unnecessary machines during power crises.
Tip: In long games, mix soil & hydroponic farming for food security.
FAQs: RimWorld Hydroponics Layout
How do I set up hydroponics in RimWorld?
✔️ Research Hydroponics → Build Basins & Sunlamps → Maintain power & temperature.
What is the best hydroponics crop?
✔️ Rice grows the fastest (2.5 days), making it the best survival crop.
How do I power hydroponics efficiently?
✔️ Use solar panels & wind turbines with battery backups.
Do plants die instantly when power is cut?
❌ No, but they die after 24 hours without electricity.
Can I grow trees in hydroponics?
❌ No, trees cannot grow in hydroponic basins.
Final Thoughts: Build the Best Hydroponics Layout in RimWorld
✔️ Use the 24-basin Sunlamp Layout for maximum efficiency.
✔️ Grow rice & strawberries for fast food production.
✔️ Use solar panels, geothermal, or wind for power stability.
✔️ Always have a backup generator & extra batteries.
A well-planned hydroponics setup can keep your colony fed year-round, even in harsh biomes or toxic fallout.
What’s your favorite hydroponics layout? Share your setup in the comments!