Nutrients for Hydroponic Plants: An Overview for Healthy Growth

Plants in hydroponic systems are entirely dependent on nutritional solutions for growth. For this reason, choosing the appropriate hydroponic nutritional supplements is essential to the development of your hydroponic crop. With so many brands and hydroponic nutrition solutions on the market, it can feel challenging. But don't worry – we've got you covered!

What are Hydroponic Nutrients and Why Are They Important?

The term "hydroponic nutrients" describes plant nutrition suitable for hydroponics. Many people who are new to hydroponics think plant roots are irrigated with plain water. Not true! If plants only received plain water, they would not grow. The water used in hydroponic systems are infused with the same nutrients plants would find, if they were grown in soil.

The majority of plants rely on a few basic nutrients. The air-bound elements of oxygen and carbon dioxide are among them. Hydrogen is another important element which is absorbed through water. The remaining nutrients are separated into two categories: macronutrients and micronutrients.

Macronutrients and micronutrients can be “blended” to be optimized for different plant species.  Depending on the kind of plant being cultivated, you can tailor to its nutritional requirements. For amateur growers however, a good all-purpose blend is all you really need.

What Nutrients are Needed for Hydroponics

Because hydroponics does not use soil, plants are nourished through water-based solutions. The three main macronutrients in a hydroponic nutrient solution are nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K), as well as secondary nutrients and trace micronutrients.

Primary Macronutrients

• Nitrogen: Encourages robust leaf development and supports the synthesis of proteins and enzymes.
• Phosphorus: Another important macronutrient which plants require for the movement of energy within the plant. Additionally, phosphorus aids in the development of roots as well as the development of seeds, fruit, and flowers.
• Potassium: Promotes overall plant health and disease resistance. Additionally, potassium strengthens plant stems. Potassium aids in osmotic balance and is required for active transport in plant cells.

Secondary Macronutrients

• Calcium: Important for the development and fortification of cell walls. It supports the activity of enzymes and the function of cell membranes. Additionally, it promotes the growth and development of leaves and roots.
• Magnesium: Required for the synthesis of chlorophyll. Chlorophyll is necessary for the light-dependent processes of photosynthesis in plants. Additionally, plants utilize magnesium to activate enzymes.
• Sulphur: Another macronutrient that is necessary for the synthesis of chlorophyll. Sulfur is also required for cellular respiration and aids in the synthesis of proteins.

Micronutrients

• Iron: Needed for the cellular transmission of energy and the synthesis of chlorophyll.
• Manganese: Aids in the activation of enzymes and makes plants more resilient to stress.
• Zinc: Encourages the growth of roots and is required for the production of growth hormones.

How to Choose the Right Type of Nutrients

The particular requirements of your plants will determine the best hydroponic nutrient mix. The majority of fertilizer mixes are available in liquid or granular form, which are mixed with water to provide your plants a nutrient-rich solution.

To support the growth of your plants, use our premium A & B Nutrients for Hydroponics, which are suitable for all hydroponic systems. This bundle contains a complete macro and micronutrient profile, which supports the entire vegetative life cycle by promoting plant development and flowering.

Overfeeding can result in nutrient burn and other issues, so it's critical to adhere to the suggested dilution rates for the nutrition mix you've selected. More is not better. Maintaining the right pH level of your fertilizer solution is also essential because it impacts the uptake of nutrients and the general health of your plants.

Nutrient Mix

Hydroponic plants are dependent on nutrient-rich water in the absence of soil. These nutrients can be suppled straight to plant roots in any hydroponic setup, from the Kratky method to fully automated grow towers. All three N-P-K nutrients should be included in the optimal nutrient mix for hydroponic plants, along with the secondary macro and micronutrients.

Nutrients typically come in liquid or granular form. Using liquid nutrients are easy with hydroponic systems because you can just pour them into your reservoir. Granular nutrients need to be dissolved in water first, so there is a small extra step of adding water to your nutrient bottles and giving them a good shake until the granules are fully dissolved.

How to Add Nutrients to Hydroponic Systems

Nutrients should be added to your reservoir according to manufacturer dilution ratios.  For example – 15 ML per gallon. In this case, if you have a 10 gallon reservoir, you would add 150 ML of nutrients. Typically, more nutrients do not need to be added to water which has already been treated. But when refilling your reservoir, due to evaporation for example – you should add nutrients to the fresh water before refilling.  So if you are adding 3 gallons of water, treat those 3 gallons with nutrients first before adding to your reservoir.

And don’t forget to measure and adjust pH! You’ll want to measure pH AFTER adding nutrients, since the nutrients themselves will fluctuate the pH a bit. The ideal pH range for plants is between 5.5 and 6.5. If pH is outside this range, your plants will not be able to fully absorb the nutrients you’ve provided. Regularly checking pH and water levels in your system while keeping a careful eye on your plants is essential.

Final Thoughts

Keep in mind that in order to maintain optimal health, humans must stick to a balanced diet. The same is true for plants. For proper growth, plants require the essential nutrients described above.  By ensuring your plants receive the correct nutrients, they will grow fuller and heartier leading to more abundant harvests.