Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) combines plant biology with modern technology, but it all starts with understanding how plants grow. This page is your guide to the biological basics behind vertical and indoor farming. We explain essential terminology, compare CEA methods, and answer common questions to help you build a solid foundation in plant science.
Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) refers to the cultivation of plants (and increasingly also fungi, algae, or insects) under fully controlled environmental conditions. Unlike traditional farming, CEA takes place in enclosed systems from greenhouses to fully automated vertical farms.
The goal is to optimize growth conditions by precisely controlling plant parameters independent of weather, seasons, or location.
CEA offers key benefits:
Reduced land and resource consumption
Local production, even in urban areas
Higher yields through precise control
Resilience against climate extremes
CEA is a key element for the future of food production, resilient, efficient, and sustainable.
Depending on your goals, budget, space, and crop type, CEA can take very different forms. While all systems aim to optimize environmental control, they vary greatly in how they operate and what they require. Common methods in CEA include:
Plants grow in a soilless, nutrient-rich water solution. Efficient and widely used.
Plant roots are suspended in air and sprayed with nutrient mist. Allows high oxygenation and water efficiency.
Combines hydroponics with aquaculture. Fish waste provides nutrients for plants, and plants help clean the water.
Plants grow in inert media like coco coir or rock wool. Easier for beginners and adaptable to different crops.
Plants are living organisms. They grow, adapt, and react to their environment. In nature, growth depends on unpredictable factors like weather, sunlight, and soil quality. CEA decouples plant development from these external variables by creating ideal, consistent growth conditions.
Key control parameters in CEA systems include:
Depending on the system (e.g., hydroponics or aeroponics), these parameters are monitored and adjusted in real time using sensors and software.
The CEA sector is growing rapidly – and so is the vocabulary. But with new technologies and methods emerging, the lines between terms often get blurred. Let us shed some light on this matter:
A method of growing crops in stacked layers, often using controlled environments and artificial lighting. Typically associated with high-tech, urban operations, but applicable in rural settings too.
Any crop production system located inside buildings, whether in basements, warehouses, or retrofitted barns. Vertical farming is one type of indoor farming.
Refers to growing food within cities. This can include rooftop gardens, container farms, or vertical farms – the key is proximity to urban consumers.
An umbrella term covering all methods that manage environmental variables for optimal plant growth. CEA includes greenhouses, vertical farms, and other enclosed systems.
By clarifying these terms, we aim to encourage consistency in communication across the industry and reduce confusion for newcomers, partners, and policymakers alike.
Stay tuned for our upcoming Cross Industry Glossary for CEA, where we map out 50+ essential terms in a structured, accessible way.
Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) can feel overwhelming at first – especially with so many technical terms and cultivation methods. That’s why we’ve collected some of the most common questions people ask when entering the world of indoor growing.
CEA stands for Controlled Environment Agriculture. It refers to the cultivation of plants in closed systems where climate, light, nutrients, and other growth parameters are carefully controlled.
Not quite. Vertical farming is a method within CEA. It involves growing crops in stacked layers to maximize space. Other CEA setups include greenhouses, container farms, and hybrid models.
Leafy greens, herbs, microgreens, strawberries, tomatoes, and even mushrooms or flowers. The ideal crops depend on your goals, setup, and market.
Light is the energy source for plant growth. In indoor systems, artificial lighting (typically LEDs) replaces sunlight. Its spectrum, intensity, and timing directly impact plant health and productivity.
CEA can be highly sustainable – using less water, fewer pesticides, and enabling year-round production. But energy use, especially for lighting and climate control, is a critical factor to optimize.
Costs vary widely based on size, technology level, and location. A small container setup can start at a few thousand euros, while large-scale facilities require several million euros.
Not necessarily. Many vertical farming pioneers come from tech, engineering, or design. However, understanding plant biology and having agricultural expertise – either in-house or via partners – is essential for long-term success.
Didn’t find your question? Contact us directly.
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