Anti-MRSA potential of biogenic silver nanoparticles synthesized from hydroponically grown Foeniculum vulgare

•Fennel plants thrive well in low resource settings.•Hydroponics can increase the fennel biomass production by up to 37%.•Phytochemicals in fennel plants from hydroponics and soil do not differ qualitatively.•Biogenic silver nanoparticles from hydroponically grown fennel plants inhibit MRSA growth in vitro and in vivo.•The protocol can provide phyto-nanomedicine in an effective and efficient manner.