General Hydroponics (GH) has been formulating plant nutrients and hydroponic growing supplies since 1976. Based in Sebastopol, California, the GH team continuously tests and refines products to perform across soil, coco coir, and fully soilless systems. Their reputation was built on the Flora Series — a nutrient program that has proven itself in professional cultivation facilities worldwide for decades.
General Hydroponics Flora Series & Nutrient Systems
The Flora Series three-part liquid system (FloraMicro, FloraGro, FloraBloom) is the foundation of the GH lineup and one of the most widely used nutrient programs in professional and hobby horticulture. It works in DWC, NFT, drip, ebb and flow, coco, and soil — growers don’t need to reformulate when switching system types. GH’s feeding schedules lay out precise nutrient ratios, recommended pH targets (5.5–6.5), and water change intervals for different growing methods, making the program straightforward to follow at any experience level. For growers who want a simplified program, the MaxiSeries (dry) and Flora Duo provide alternative formulations in fewer parts.
pH Management: pH Up, pH Down & Calibration
Alongside nutrients, GH produces a complete pH management line: pH Up, pH Down, pH testing drops, digital pH meters, and calibration solutions. Maintaining the correct pH range is critical to nutrient availability — most plants access nutrients most efficiently between pH 5.5 and 6.5 in hydroponic systems, and 6.0–7.0 in soil and coco. The GH pH kit is designed to work directly alongside the Flora Series program.
GH Hydroponic Systems, Grow Media & Propagation
Beyond nutrients, GH offers entry-level hydroponic systems starting under $100 — well-suited to hobbyists and first-time hydro growers. Propagation supplies include Rapid Rooter plugs and RapidStart rooting enhancer, both popular for seed starting and cloning. Grow media options include CocoTek coco coir bales, baskets, and coco blends for soilless production. AzaMax, a broad-spectrum azadirachtin-based concentrate, rounds out the GH line for integrated pest management applications.
General Hydroponics for Home & Commercial Growers
GH products scale from a single hobbyist system up to large commercial CEA operations. Their academic background — the company has collaborated with NASA on plant research — underpins formulations trusted by both home growers and professional cultivators. Volume pricing on drum quantities is available through our commercial accounts program for larger operations. Use our Nutrient Mixing & Dilution Calculator to dial in target EC and batch sizes when working with GH concentrates, and check out our HGV Nutrient Calculator if you’re comparing nutrient programs.
Browse our full hydroponic nutrients collection to compare GH with other qualified brands, explore hydroponic systems compatible with the Flora Series, or visit the Learning Center nutrients section for feeding guides and deficiency diagnosis. Expert support available.
General Hydroponics FAQ
What is the General Hydroponics Flora Series and how do I use it?
The Flora Series is a three-part liquid nutrient system: FloraMicro, FloraGro, and FloraBloom. Each bottle provides a different nutrient profile that you combine in varying ratios depending on growth stage. FloraMicro provides nitrogen, calcium, and micronutrients as the base of every mix. FloraGro is higher in nitrogen for vegetative growth. FloraBloom is higher in phosphorus and potassium for flowering. GH publishes feeding schedules for their standard, aggressive, and drain-to-waste programs — follow one of these as a starting point, then adjust based on how your plants respond. The Flora Series works across DWC, NFT, ebb and flow, drip, coco, and soil without reformulation.
What pH range should I target when using General Hydroponics nutrients?
For hydroponic systems (DWC, NFT, ebb and flow, drip), target pH 5.5–6.5 with an ideal range of 5.8–6.2. For coco coir, target 5.8–6.2. For soil and soilless mixes, target 6.0–7.0. GH nutrients are formulated to work within these ranges — consistently keeping pH outside these windows will cause nutrient lockout regardless of how well-balanced your solution is. Always pH-adjust after adding nutrients, not before.
What is the difference between General Hydroponics and General Organics?
General Hydroponics (GH) is the parent brand producing both synthetic and organic nutrient lines. The standard Flora Series, MaxiSeries, and FloraNova are synthetic mineral formulas for hydroponic and soilless growing. General Organics (GO) is GH's OMRI-listed organic line — products like BioThrive, BioMarine, and CaMg+ use plant-derived and naturally occurring mineral sources rather than synthetic salts. GO products are compatible with certified organic programs; standard GH products are not.
Can I use General Hydroponics nutrients in soil?
Yes. The Flora Series, FloraNova, and MaxiSeries all work in soil. Adjust your pH target to 6.0–7.0 for soil applications. In living soil programs where microbial activity is a priority, the General Organics BioThrive line is a better fit — synthetic salts at high concentrations can inhibit soil biology over time. For hand-watered potting mix grows, GH nutrients diluted to standard recommended EC levels are safe and effective.
What is Floralicious Plus and when should I use it?
Floralicious Plus is a bio-stimulant supplement containing plant-based amino acids, vitamins, and humic/fulvic acids that support nutrient uptake and stress recovery. It is not a replacement for base nutrients — add it alongside your regular Flora Series program at the rate of 1–2 mL per gallon. It is most commonly used during the transition from vegetative to flowering, during environmental stress events, and in the final weeks of the production cycle to support quality development.
