Nutrients are essential for growing cannabis plants, especially if you want the highest yield possible. Your nutrient solution will take the place of the macro and micronutrients that soil traditionally supplies in hydroponic systems. You can be sure to get the highest quality and yield of cannabis possible with the right combination of nutrients.
When you plan to grow cannabis plants without soil in any medium, it lacks weed hydroponic nutrients provided by the soil. You need to supply all the nutrients with a nutrient solution. However, there is a vast variety of hydro nutrients for cannabis available, and it becomes challenging to choose the right ones.
Which nutrients are good or bad for your weed plants, which nutrients you should avoid when growing cannabis, should you go for affordable or expensive nutrients. All these questions are bound to arise if you are growing cannabis.
We’ll read about the best hydroponic nutrients for cannabis plants that you can use and other things related to them.
NPK Ratios for Cannabis Nutrients in Hydroponic Systems Must be Optimal
Nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, the three most crucial plant nutrients, are represented by the letters N-P-K. The three numerals on the front of all nutrient bottles stand for these things (Potassium is denoted by “K” because chemists use the symbol K for potassium in the periodic table).
Each element has a unique set of benefits to provide the plant. In general, nitrogen promotes vegetative growth, phosphorous encourages the development of roots and flowers, and potassium aids in photosynthesis and root growth. Therefore, a fertilizer with high nitrogen content is ideal for vegetative development, whereas one with a high phosphorous content is ideal for blooming. Luckily, the producers have already completed all of this work for you.
It’s critical to provide the proper ratio of these essential nutrients to the plant so that it receives what it needs at the appropriate moment if you want to produce cannabis hydroponically with the greatest possible outcomes. For instance, even if the plant is entirely healthy, if you give it too much nitrogen during the flowering/budding phase, it actually suppresses bud production and lowers your yields! It’s not what you desire!
Take a look at the best nutrients for hydroponic cannabis available out there.
Fox Farm FX14049 Liquid Nutrient Trio Soil Formula
FoxFarm has produced high-quality fertilizers, soil mixes, and liquid plant foods with the most consistent and quality formulas since 1984. Their excellent products were born in Humboldt County and are now loved worldwide. This liquid nutrient formula comes in a pack of three 32-ounce bottles – the Big Bloom, Tiger Bloom, and Grow Big. Use the right juice with your buds for compact, vegetative, and lush growth.
This hydroponic nutrient solution is perfect for late-season, mature flowers and plants. The Grow Big Solution ensures proper green growth, while the Tiger Bloom must be used as soon as flowering begins. The Big Bloom formula increases nutrient cycling and heals root systems across all plant growing cycles. This easy-to-use nutrient formula is perfect for your cannabis plants.
Pros
- Growth begins within hours
- Easy to use at home
- 3 different bottles to use across growing cycles
- Ultra-potent and nutritious plant food concentrate
Cons
- The liquid is leaking sometimes upon delivery
- Some bottles are watered down
- Nutrients can get crystalized in the bottle over time
- Bottle seal arrives tampered in some cases
General Hydroponics FloraSeries
Using the FloraSeries hydroponic nutrient solutions, home growers can improve their plant feeding system and personally take care of how much nutrients are used in every growth stage. FloraMicro contains calcium, nitrogen, and other chelated nutrients to allow crops to grow fast during every step. Flora Gro has magnesium, phosphorous, and potassium to help with foliar and structural growth.
FloraBloom provides sulfur and other nutrients to help the plant develop fruits and flowers properly. Based on your needs, you can change the amount of every nutrient you give to your plants. You just have to take water and, one by one, add the nutrient solutions to it. The FloraSeries ensures that your plants get all the necessary nutrients in the correct ratios.
The bundle of these nutrient solutions is available in 1-pint, 1-quarter, 1-gallon, and 6-gallon packaging. Make sure you use all three of the hydroponic nutrients fertilizers to help your cannabis plants flourish and bloom.
Pros
- Great for both leafy and fruity plants
- Great nutrient source for outdoor growing
- Offers nutrients for every plant growing stage
- Easy-to-use and value for money
Cons
- Performance lower than advertised
- May arrive with a broken seal and spilled liquid
- Slightly overpriced compared to other options
- Bottle quality is subpar
Advanced Nutrients Pack of 3
Advanced Nutrients was established in 1999, and it offers a complete growing system for your weed plants. You can rely on their hydroponic nutrients to unlock the potential of your beloved cannabis crops. This product includes 1-liter bottles of the Grow, Bloom, and Micro that provide the necessary nutrient concentrations and ratios to your plants. Through these nutrients, you can grow sturdy, lush, and high-value weed crops at home.
The fertilizers have high-quality ingredients and the right pH level to offer amino acids to your plants. Non-ionic surfactant and fulvic acid in the nutrient solution form a great delivery matrix making sure that the plants absorb everything properly. The chelated micronutrients are certain to go to your plants’ roots and benefit their growth. Advanced Nutrients uses PH-perfect technology that adjusts the pH level whenever needed so that you don’t have to use any chemicals to adjust it.
Pros
- Carrier molecules ensure plants get nutrients properly
- Self-adjusting pH technology
- Made with a complete spectrum of high-level ingredients
- A complete cannabis growing system in one
Cons
- Low percentage of nutrients
- Some bottles are diluted with water
- Bottles have broken seals and may leak
- Instructions are hard to grasp and follow
Humboldts Secret Golden Tree
Make growing cannabis at your home simple, easy, and exciting with the all-in-one Humboldts Secret Golden Tree additive solution. Ideal for a wide variety of plants, including cannabis, you can either use it independently or stack it up with other nutrients. Used with a highly-effective plant nutrient program, Golden Tree will improve foliar and soil nutrition for great crop yield.
Apart from helping your plants with adequate nutrition, Golden Tree provides better establishments for your plants with proper nutrient uptake and abiotic stress tolerance. The additive is a mix of minerals, carbs, and kelp with all the nutrients your plants need. You can use the solution with any plant-growing medium and add some plant enzymes to ensure clean, healthy roots.
Use the product 2 to 3 times in a week based on how your plants respond to it and its strength.
Pros
- All-in-one additive for all plant types
- Compatible with multiple growth methods and techniques
- Provides all essential nutrients to plants
- Made with high-quality natural ingredients
Cons
- Smells terrible, especially if you are growing indoor plants
- Can kill your plants if overfed
- Can turn your plants yellow and burnt
- Has to be used with a proper nutrient program for best results
CANNA CA1260 + CA1270
This hydroponic marijuana fertilizer by CANNA is a great option and is meant to cultivate pre-buffered Canna Coco in growing bags or pots. In contrast to other plant nutrients available in the market, CANNA works faster and is quickly absorbed by your plants. Your plants save energy and can grow and bloom to be very beautiful and attractive.
The Coco A and B nutrients by CANNA follow the 4-0-1 NPK formula and are made with high-quality minerals, humors, natural chelates, and fulvic acids to provide adequate nutrition to your cannabis plants. Always make sure to use the A and B parts of the nutrient fertilizers in equal amounts for the best results and happy plant growth. The fertilizer is also specifically made to suit coco substrates’ characteristics and requirements.
Pros
- Composed of high-quality minerals and natural chelates
- Offers optimum nutrient absorption for plants
- Work quicker than other options out there
- Specifically designed for coco substrates
Cons
- Leakage through the loose bottle seal
- Nutrients are watered down and diluted
- Not cost-effective
- Quantity could be a bit more
Botanicare Liquid Karma
If you want to grow some top-shelf cannabis plants at your home, then Liquid Karma by Botanicare is the ideal supplement plant nutrient you should use. It improves the plant’s vigor and boosts its growth during the beginning of plant life. Made with organic and natural ingredients, the hydroponic marijuana fertilizer has a low NPK content and must be used with plant cuttings, mother plants, seedlings, plant starts, etc.
Liquid Karma will help relieve stress for the plants and allow them to grow freely. The blend boosts microbial colonization in the soil or other growth medium so plants can intake nutrients effectively. You can combine the nutrient with other plant food and use it for the entire growth cycle of your weed plants.
You can even use the solution as a spray for foliar strength and enhance plant growth.
Pros
- Helps relieve stress in plants
- Boost microbial colonization in the growth medium
- Can also be used as a spray
- Available in multiple sizes
Cons
- NPK ratio is a bit low
- Ideal just for early plant growth stage
- Has to be used with an effective plant nutrient program
- May contain some big mold spores inside
Botanicare Pure Blend Pro
Botanicare offers some of the best hydroponic nutrients for weed, and the Pure Blend Pro is another great product by them. It is a one-part, premium plant food formula that you can combine with other nutrition supplements. It is ideal for various flowers, fruits, houseplants, shrubs, vegetables, cacti, cannabis, etc.
Made with high-quality fish meal, kelp, seabird guano, calcium carbonate, rock phosphate, potassium, and magnesium, it has an NPK ratio of 3-2-4 to offer adequate nutrition and strength to your crops. Use the fertilizer every watering for best results, and use at least 5ml per water gallon if you use RO water.
The nutrient solution is available in different sizes and is perfect for hydroponic, coco, soilless, soil, and container gardens.
Pros
- Great 3-2-4 NPK ratio
- Works best during the vegetative growth stage
- Perfect for container gardens and hydroponic applications
- Beneficial for flowers, fruits, vegetables, shrubs, cacti, weed, etc.
Cons
- Expensive compared to other options
- Does not have enough nitrogen content
- Some bottles are watered down
- Not suitable for certain veggies like tomatoes
General Hydroponics FloraMicro
The company is known for some of the industry-best hydroponics marijuana nutrients, and the FloraMicro fertilizer is perfect for all mediums of plant growth. Made using a booster formula, it has an NPK ratio of 5-0-1 that provides the perfect mix of nutrients to your weed plants. It works best as a plant nutrition supplement in hydroponic applications, and you can combine it with FloraGro and FloraBloom for the best plant growth.
FloraMicro’s unique formula makes sure that your plants get what they need during every stage of their growth cycle. Rich in calcium, nitrogen, and other chelated micronutrients, the fertilizer ensures fast and healthy growth along with higher yields. Also, you can adjust the use of FloraMicro based on your plants’ response and needs.
Pros
- Great for all growth mediums
- Made with booster formula
- Ideal 5-0-1 NPK ratio
- Very easy to use
Cons
- Nutrients are tampered with
- The bottle may arrive leaky and unsealed
- Recommended dose is quite high
- Some plants don’t respond positively to it
Product Comparison Table
| PRODUCT | BRIEF DESCRIPTION | PROS | CONS |
|---|---|---|---|
 | This liquid nutrient formula comes in a pack of three 32-ounce bottles – the Big Bloom, Tiger Bloom, and Grow Big. Use the right juice with your buds for compact, vegetative, and lush growth. This hydroponic nutrient solution is perfect for late-season, mature flowers and plants |
|
|
 | Using the FloraSeries hydroponic nutrient solutions, home growers can improve their plant feeding system and personally take care of how much nutrients are used in every growth stage. |
|
|
 | This product includes 1-liter bottles of the Grow, Bloom, and Micro that provide the necessary nutrient concentrations and ratios to your plants. Through these nutrients, you can grow sturdy, lush, and high-value weed crops at home. |
|
|
 | Apart from helping your plants with adequate nutrition, Golden Tree provides better establishments for your plants with proper nutrient uptake and abiotic stress tolerance. The additive is a mix of minerals, carbs, and kelp with all the nutrients your plants need. |
|
|
 | This hydroponic marijuana fertilizer by CANNA is a great option and is meant to cultivate pre-buffered Canna Coco in growing bags or pots. In contrast to other plant nutrients available in the market, CANNA works faster and is quickly absorbed by your plants. |
|
|
 | Liquid Karma by Botanicare is the ideal supplement plant nutrient you should use. It improves the plant’s vigor and boosts its growth during the beginning of plant life. Made with organic and natural ingredients, the hydroponic marijuana fertilizer has a low NPK content. |
|
|
 | The Pure Blend Pro is another great product by Botanicare. It is a one-part, premium plant food formula that you can combine with other nutrition supplements. It is ideal for various flowers, fruits, houseplants, shrubs, vegetables, cacti, cannabis, etc. |
|
|
 | The FloraMicro fertilizer is perfect for all mediums of plant growth. Made using a booster formula, it has an NPK ratio of 5-0-1 that provides the perfect mix of nutrients to your weed plants. It works best as a plant nutrition supplement in hydroponic applications. |
|
|
Things to Consider When Choosing the Best Hydroponic Marijuana Nutrients – Buying Guide
If you want your crops to grow into healthy, lush cannabis plants, then you have to take proper care of them during their growth. You must follow the right plant nutrition program and use the best hydroponic fertilizer for your crops.
With the right nutrition, you can boost your crop yield and get healthier plants. However, some hydroponic nutrients out there are better than others, and you must use reliable ones. Consider these factors before you make a purchase –
NPK Ratio – Nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium are the three primary nutrients that your plants need the most, and you must check the NPK ratio of the nutrient fertilizer before purchasing it. Nutrient solutions provide plants with the nutrients that are usually provided by soil, so the NPK ratio is significant. The leaves can turn yellow if there isn’t enough nitrogen, and lack of phosphorous can affect the flowering stage of your plants.
Chelated Minerals – Make sure to check whether the hydroponic fertilizer you go for consists of chelated mineral nutrients. Such nutrients are easy to absorb by plants even at higher pH levels which is vital in the absence of natural soil. Not all macro and micronutrients are chelated, but you should definitely look for a nutrient solution that includes chelated minerals.
pH – Some nutrients are easier to absorb by plants than others, but the absorption rate is affected when the pH level is not optimum. Your cannabis plants will not absorb nutrients and grow appropriately if the pH level is undesirable. You can go for nutrient solutions that have a pH-adjusting system so that you can rest assured. These fertilizers will keep the pH level around the ideal 5.5-5.7 mark.
Brand and Budget – Similar to every product in any category, you must opt for a reliable and trustworthy brand instead of a cheap, low-quality one. There are multiple brands selling hydroponic fertilizers at different prices, and you have to make your choice based on your budget. Consider your needs and buy nutrient solutions from a reliable brand with high-quality products.
What nutrients do I need for cannabis hydroponics?
The first thing you must look at when it comes to cannabis hydroponics is the ratio of nutrients nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorous, as these are macronutrients. These are absorbed the most by plants, and the NPK ratio denotes the quantity of these nutrients.
What hydroponic system is best for cannabis?
The Deep Water Culture system is best for beginners who haven’t used any hydroponic system. It is cheaper and easier than other alternatives. Fill a bucket with water and mix the nutrient solution into it. Place your cannabis plants inside the solution and provide oxygen through an air pump.
In what order do you mix nutrients?
First of all, you have to prepare water and your nutrient solution. Mix the solution into the water and mix it properly. Measure the electric conductivity (EC) of the solution so you can adjust the necessary cannabis nutrients. Measure the pH level and ensure it is optimum. Make sure to keep the resulting solution warm and feed it to your plants.
What chemicals are used in hydroponic marijuana?
Other than the micronutrients potassium, nitrogen, and phosphorous, some other micronutrients and minerals are used in hydroponic cannabis. Calcium, magnesium, iron, cobalt, sulfur, copper, zinc, etc., all play a part in your cannabis plant growth.
FAQ: Nutrients for Cannabis
A1. The best hydroponic nutrients for cannabis in 2023 are Fox Farm Tiger Bloom, General Hydroponics Flora Series, and Advanced Nutrients Big Bud.
A2. When choosing the right hydroponic nutrient for your cannabis plants, consider the stage of growth of the plant (vegetative or flowering), the type of hydroponic system you are using, and the quality of the nutrient solution.
A3. Yes, hydroponic nutrients are generally more efficient and provide more precise control over the nutrient levels of the plants. This makes them a better choice for growing cannabis in a hydroponic system.
A4. The nutrient solution should be changed every 2-4 weeks, depending on the type of hydroponic system being used.
Final Note
It can be a challenging task to search for the best hydroponic nutrients for cannabis plants. You need to narrow your choice based on the climate, usability, and other requirements. Home growers prefer an easy-to-use, effective nutrient solution that ensures proper growth.
We learned about some of the best hydroponic marijuana nutrients you can use to grow cannabis at home. They have an optimum amount of nutrients and will ensure that your plants turn out to be lush, healthy, and vegetative.
