A hydroponic tower including a cavity defining a front tower surface and a rear inside surface, and further including a plant plug holder inserted within a cut-out defined in the front tower surface. The plant plug holder includes an edge member that encircles the cut-out, and a base member that supports a plant plug and extends rearward from the edge member and into the cavity of the tower. The plug holder further includes a rear shroud top member and a pair of side members that maintain the position of the plant plug within the plug holder such that the plant plug contacts the rear inside surface of the cavity when inserted into the plug holder.