Abstract: Various commercially valuable plants are grown by implanting a seed or cutting within a shaped porous root-permeable support body. The plant is periodically fed by applying a hydroponic nutrient solution to the plant roots growing through and depending from the shaped support body and the foliage of the plant is periodically exposed to actinic radiation. Root feeding and actinic radiation are continued until the plant reaches commercial maturity. In the case of those plants having valuable foliage, such as leafy vegetables, ornamentals, etc., the entire plant is shipped, stored and displayed for sale while the plant is still alive and growing in the moistened shaped support body which is enclosed in a vapor-barrier integument.