Plant nutrients are what your crop eats: the nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium and micronutrients it can't get anywhere else in a grow room. Start with a base nutrient for your growing medium and stage, then add supplements only where your plants need more. Every line here is sold by growers who answer the phone, so if you're not sure what to feed, call us at 888-815-9763.
Base nutrients vs supplements
Base nutrients are the main part of your feeding schedule. They carry the full set of macro and micronutrients in balanced ratios, usually as a grow (veg) formula and a bloom formula, sometimes with a separate calcium part. Hydroponic nutrients and soil nutrients are both base nutrients; they differ in how fast the plant can take them up.
Supplements and additives fine-tune a base program: cal-mag for soft or RO water, silica for stronger cell walls, root stimulants and beneficial microbes for the root zone, and bloom boosters for heavier flowering. Add one at a time and watch the response.
Veg nutrients vs bloom nutrients
Veg nutrients are higher in nitrogen, which drives leaves, stems and branching. Bloom nutrients shift toward phosphorus and potassium, the elements behind flower set and flower size. Most programs switch from grow to bloom formula when the light cycle changes.
Hydroponic, soil and organic nutrients
Hydroponic and soilless media hold almost nothing on their own, so the feed has to supply every element in a form roots can use right away. Soil and compost-based mixes buffer the feed, which makes them more forgiving. Organic nutrients come from sources like kelp, fish, guano and plant meals; they feed the soil life that feeds the plant, so they work best in soil and living media.
For larger grows, water-soluble fertilizers dissolve completely for drip irrigation and injectors, and cost less per gallon of feed at scale. Nutrient packages bundle a full program so you buy once and follow one schedule.
HGV nutrients
HGV is a complete program built for commercial growers and sold in dry and liquid formats: a Base formula (calcium and nitrogen) paired with a Grow formula for veg and a Flower formula for bloom. HGV Dry costs less to ship; HGV Liquid mixes in seconds. Both work in soil, coco and hydroponics, and the HGV nutrient calculator builds your mix for any reservoir size.
Test what you feed
Mixing errors and water quality cause more deficiencies than the nutrients themselves. Check EC and pH every time you mix (our EC to PPM converter helps when your meter and your feed chart disagree), and send a sample for lab-grade nutrient and water testing when something looks off.
Nutrients FAQ
What nutrients do plants need?
Plants need three primary macronutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium), three secondary nutrients (calcium, magnesium and sulfur) and a set of micronutrients including iron, manganese, zinc, copper, boron and molybdenum. A complete base nutrient supplies all of them; supplements top up specific ones.
Can I use hydroponic nutrients in soil?
Yes. Most mineral base nutrients work in soil, coco and hydroponics; soil simply buffers the feed, so start at the low end of the feed chart. Organic nutrients are the exception: many need soil life to break down and can clog pumps and emitters in hydroponic systems.
How often should I feed my plants?
In hydroponics and coco, feed with every watering at the strength on your feed chart. In soil, most growers alternate feed and plain water, or feed every second or third watering. Increase strength gradually as plants grow, and drop it if leaf tips burn.
Do I need cal-mag?
If you use RO or soft water, or grow in coco, usually yes: those conditions leave too little calcium and magnesium for strong growth. With hard tap water and a complete base nutrient, you may not. Test your water first.
What is the difference between EC and PPM?
Both measure how much fertilizer is dissolved in your water. EC is the direct electrical reading; PPM is converted from EC using a factor (500 or 700) that varies by meter. Use the same unit as your feed chart, or convert with our EC to PPM calculator.
