Abstract: An installation and method for hydroponic cultivation of plants are provided together with a plant support structure (56). A water reservoir feeds a water feed network of flow conduits leading to a plurality of upwardly extending plant support structures in the form of columns (56). Each column includes a series of rooting compartments (72) containing rooting medium (68) and extending over its height. Each compartment has a wall provided with at least one opening (92) for permitting the foliage of a plant rooted in the medium to protrude from the compartment. A drainage network of conduits (64, 60, 50, 52, 42) leads from the rooting compartments to the reservoir and a pump (24) is provided for circulating water around the circuit formed by the reservoir, feed network, columns and drainage network. In accordance with the method, the pump intermittently circulates water around the circuit.