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Whether you’re an expert grower of marijuana or you are just getting started, you probably know that there’s more to it than just planting your seeds in good potting soil, hanging a grow light, and giving the cannabis plants some water every now and then.
No, to grow healthy, thriving plants with flavorful and aromatic buds, you need to introduce some cannabis nutrients. While the best nutrients for weed don’t need to be applied every day, grow nutrients can help your plants thrive.
THere’s no one-size-fit all approach to fertilizing your plants – the best marijuan nutrients will vary depending on the stage that your plants are in. In addition, the best hydroponic nutrients are not the same as those that will be the best fertilizer for marijuana grown in soil.
Confused yet? Don’t be. We’re here to tell you everything you need to know about the best marijuana nutrients, as well as the top product for you to consider on your next shopping trip.
Best Marijuana Nutrients in 2020: Our Picks
Runner-up
Advanced Nutrients 5450-14 Voodoo Juice Fertilizer
- Only need to use 8ml per gallon of water
- Works in soilless or soil growing systems
- Available in multiple sizes
Runner-up
SUPERthrive VI30155 Plant Vitamin Solution
- Super concentrated formula
- No expiration date
- Can be used on house plants or vegetables
Runner-up
Golden Tree: All-In-One Concentrated Organic Additive
- Can be used 1-3 times per week to increase root development
- All-in-one solution for any kind of plant
- Improves yields by up to 20%
Runner-up
Advanced Nutrients 2320-14 Bud Candy Fertilizer
- Can be used until harvest
- Combination of micronutrients your plants need
- Can be used on soil and hydroponics
Runner-up
General Hydroponics Flora Grow, Bloom, Micro Combo Fertilizer set, 1 Quart (Pack of 3)
- Encourages flower, root, and fruit development
- Contains magnesium and other trace elements
- Good for hydroponics
Runner-up
Advanced Nutrients Big Bud Liquid Fertilizer
- Can be used in hydroponics or soil
- Can be purchased in multiple sizes
- Encourages flower growth
Runner-up
General Hydroponics GH5100 General Organics Go Box
- Great value with lots of bottles included
- Every kind of nutrient you need is included
- Can be mixed with a gallon of water to dilute
Runner-up
Advanced Nutrients Bloom, Micro & Grow, Pack of 3, 1 L Each
- Includes fulvic acid to balance absorption
- Chelation ensures that nutrients are available
- Balance-free pH perfect technology
Runner-up
Fox Farm FX14049 Liquid Nutrient Trio Soil Formula: Big Bloom, Grow Big, Tiger Bloom (Pack of 3 - 32 oz. bottles)
- Additional hydroponic fertilizers available
- Work on all stages of growth
- Can be used for other plants, like tomatoes
Runner-up
Dyna-Gro 719010 Plant Food, 1 Quart
- Can be used for hydroponics or soil
- Low in soluble salts
- Available in a gallon, five gallon, and one-quart bottle
10 Best Weed Fertilizer in 2020
Some of the best marijuana nutrients you will find are packed into this one-liter bottle of Advanced Nutrients Voodoo Juice. These cannabis nutrients are sold in quantities of .250, .5, 1, 4, 10, and 23 liters. It will allow for maximum development of roots on your tra, .5, 1, 4, 10, and 23 liters.
They will allow for maximum development of your roots, regardless of whether you are fertilizing seedlings, clones, or transplants. They will be able to branch better and have greater root density and mass. They will uptake nutrients more efficiently, saving you both time and money, and can even be used to improve growth and flowering.
A liquid formula, this fertilizer was created by a team of PhD scientists and increases floral production and vegetaive growth.
What We Liked:
- Only need to use 8ml per gallon of water
- Works in soilless or soil growing systems
- Available in multiple sizes
What We Didn’t Like:
- Has a tendency to go moldy
SUPERthrive offers some of the best nutrients for flowering stage plants. This non-toxic vitamin solution can be used for all kinds of growing, including those that involve hydroponics or foliar spraying. You can even use it for hydroseeding. This fertilizer replenishes the soil, helping to nourish and build the natural defenses of your plants.
It meets its potential quickly, building a strong root base and reducing the likelihood of transplant shock in seedlings. It can be shipped within the United STates and only needs about a drop per gallon of water, since it’s supre-concentrated.
What We Liked:
- Super concentrated formula
- No expiration date
- Can be used on house plants or vegetables
What We Didn’t Like:
- Can be messy to use
The Golden Tree company makes some of the best marijuana nutrients you’ll find! These nutrients are sold in quantities of two, eight, sixteen, 32, and 64 ounce containers. You can also purchase gallon, 2.25 gallon, 2.5 gallon, or 5 gallon bottles, or you can really go for gold and order 25 bottles of this fertilizer.
These cannabis nutrients can be used for any kind of plant, as the formula helps to activate enzymes that encourage photosynthesis across the board. You can improve your yield quantity and quality with this all-purpose soil food additive, and since it’s organic, you don’t need to worry about it harming your plants.
You can use this fertilizer in any type of row system, regardless of whether you are using coco coir, aeroponics, hydroponics, or good old-fashioned soil. IT contains a unique blend of amino acids, carbohydrates, kelp, and vital minerals.
What We Liked:
- Can be used 1-3 times per week to increase root development
- All-in-one solution for any kind of plant
- Improves yields by up to 20%
What We Didn’t Like:
- Has a strong smell
Another of the top nutrients for cannabis is the Bud Candy Fertilizer by Advanced Nutrients. Available in quantities ranging from .250 liter all the way up to 23 liters, this fertilizer offers a better survival rate for your seedlings and transplants. This fertilizer offers increased growth and yield with no heavy lifting required.
This fertilizer is unique in that it has a unique sweet smell that you will love, and all the nutrients your plants need to grow well. They’ll receive tons of energy from the carbohydrates and the nutrients in this blend.
What We Liked:
- Can be used until harvest
- Combination of micronutrients your plants need
- Can be used on soil and hydroponics
What We Didn’t Like:
- A fertilizer additive and not a true fertilizer
If you’re looking for marijuana plant nutrients that are rated as some of the best nutrients for soil, look no further than this blend from General Hydroponics. Sold in a gallon, pint, or quart size, when you order these marijuana nutrients you get them in a pack of three.
The Original building block nutrients system, this fertilizer contains the micro, secondary, and primary nutrients your plants need for good yields and quality. You can adjust the mixtures to suit the needs of various types of plants, and it can be used in both soil-cultivated and hydroponic systems.
This fertilizer is pH balanced for easy access, and it contains purified concentrates to make it easier for your plants to take in the nutrients.
What We Liked:
- Encourages flower, root, and fruit development
- Contains magnesium and other trace elements
- Good for hydroponics
What We Didn’t Like:
- Small bottles are not economical
If you’re looking for the best nutrients for weed, look no further than this superior marijuana fertilizer. It can be purchased in sizes ranging from .250 liter to 23 liters and regardless of what size you purchase, will offer you larger, denser flowers. They will have more essential oils, terpenoids, aromatics, phenols, and other desirable features, too.
You can use this fertilizer in hydroponic or soil growing. It is best for use in the second to fourth weeks of the bloom phase.
What We Liked:
- Can be used in hydroponics or soil
- Can be purchased in multiple sizes
- Encourages flower growth
What We Didn’t Like:
- Best for only bloom phase
This convenient go box offers some of the best organic nutrients for cannabis. These grow nutrients are organic and all-natural, offering some of the best cannabis nutrients you will find all in one convenient package.
These organic nutrients are included in a great starter kit. You’ll get everything you need, including a 16 oz. BioThrive Grow and Bloom fertilizer as well as samples of every liquid supplement that General Organics sell. You can play around, mixing and matching your formulations, to find the blends that your plants like the most.
What We Liked:
- Great value with lots of bottles included
- Every kind of nutrient you need is included
- Can be mixed with a gallon of water to dilute
What We Didn’t Like:
- Full list of ingredients is not included
These nutrients are some of the best marijuana nutrients you will find in your search for good plant food for weed. These come in packages of one liter, four liters, 10 liters, 23 liters, and 500 milliliters each. Your plants will appreciate the lush, sturdy growth they are able to put on after receiving these nutrients. It’s a three-part solution in one package. You’ll get advanced nutrients from growth to bloom.
The fertilizer is designed with unique carrier molecules that ensure your cannabis plants get all the nutrients they need. You’ll never have to worry about the pH of your plants!
What We Liked:
- Includes fulvic acid to balance absorption
- Chelation ensures that nutrients are available
- Balance-free pH perfect technology
What We Didn’t Like:
- You should still pH test your nutrients if growing in soil
These grow nutrients are some of the best fertilizer for marijuana options out there. It is available in two, three, four, or five packs, and is offered in a standard 32 oz bottle. Fox Farm mis well known in producing high-quality grow nutrients and this product is no exception.
You can get all the nutrients you need for every stage, since you’ll receive three bottles of your ideal blends. The Grow Big Hydro produces green growth while Tiger Bloom is ideal for the first set of buds or flowering. BIg Blom can be used during any growing stage.
What We Liked:
- Additional hydroponic fertilizers available
- Work on all stages of growth
- Can be used for other plants, like tomatoes
What We Didn’t Like:
- Should only be used for soil
Dyna-Gro offers some of the best nutrients for weed, and is actually a High Times voted best nutrients provider. This marijuana fertilizer is some of the best hydroponic nutrients as well as those for people growing cannabis in soil.
Available in three different sizes, this fertilizer comes with all sixteen essential elements. It will encourage the vibrant growth of your cannabis plants and is low in soluble salts. Prefect for poor or rocky soils, ti can also be used for hydroponics and comes in an easy-to-use super concentrate.
What We Liked:
- Can be used for hydroponics or soil
- Low in soluble salts
- Available in a gallon, five gallon, and one-quart bottle
What We Didn’t Like:
- Not organic
Marijuana Nutrients Buying Guide Questions
What’s the Best NPK Ratio for Growing Cannabis?
As with growing any kind of plant, obtaining the proper balance of nutrients should be a top concern for a grower. It’s not all about watering your plants and providing it with adequate amounts of light and heat – you need to feed it, too.
Once you have your grow light set up and your grow tent ready to go, you will need to provide your cannabis plants with the nutrients they need at every stage of growth. It’s not a one-size-fits-all approach here – your plant will need different types and quantities of nutrients at each unique stage of growth.
Wondering what to feed weed plants? The three nutrients your cannabis plants need are nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium (often abbreviated to NPK). The NPK ratio is important at all stages, but can vary.
At the vegetative stage, while your cannabis plants are putting on good roots, you will need a high level of nitrogen and moderate levels of both phosphorus and potassium. Nitrogen encourages plenty of growth and helps your plants become vigorous growers. Phosphorus helps your plant learn how to fight disease and also helps to strengthen the roots. It can also improve nutrient uptake, which will help you later on.
You don’t need super high levels of potassium at this stage, but your plants will still need small amounts. Potassium helps strengthen the tissues of your plants and to make the buds heavier. It also helps synthesize proteins and amino acids.
Once your plants begin to flower, you can back off on the nitrogen. You should keep this at low levels and raise your potassium levels too high – the phosphorus can stay the same. Nitrogen is beneficial in the vegetative stage, but once your weed starts to produce flowers, you need to keep nitrogen low. Otherwise, your plants will produce lots of leaves at the expense of forming proper buds.
Phosphorus, on the other hand, will help your plants bloom. It can increase the flowers and help them form more strongly. Potassium, too, is needed to help your plants produce terpenes for their aromas and to make the buds form correctly.
What Is The Best Nutrients Guide For Your Buds?
Looking for a guide on how to make your own nutrient system? This cannabis nutrients guide should help you.
All plants need nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorous. These three numbers are the ones you will most commonly see on the front of both organic and synthetic fertilizer bags. When you are shopping for marijauan nutrients, you should look at the ratios of these three ingredients in particular. For example, a product that reads as “10-4-4” will contain ten percent nitrogen, four percent phosphorus, and four percent potassium by weight. These ingredients are always listed in that order – NPK.
However, your plants need other nutrients, too. Microniturnets are those that are found in much smaller quantities. Your plants need nutrients like silicon, copper, boron, chlorine, cobalt, molybdenum, iron, zinc, and manganese. Another nutrient, which is also known for hydroponic growers is coco coir. It is popular among gardeners since it has a wide range of use and makes plants healthy.
Cannabis plants require just small amounts of these nutrients in order to thrive, but it’s always a good idea to use a balanced fertilizer that will provide these nutrients, too. We’ll break down the difference between organic and synthetic fertilizers in a moment, but in general, organic fertilizers are better at supplying a balanced ratio of all of these nutrients to your plants. You can also buy synthetic fertilizers that contain these trace elements, too, but they are more difficult to parcel out. Hence, to give your plants the best soil mixes and fertilizers, you may check foxfarm since they offer a variety of plant nutrients, which helps your plants to become healthier.
What is the Best Cannabis Feeding Schedule?
Depending on whether you are growing cannabis indoors or outside, your cannabis feeding schedule might vary. In general, the amount of fertilizer you supply will depend on the size of your plant, as well as its growing stage. You can add the fertilizer and nutrients to the water before you introduce it to your plants, which will provide a much more balanced ratio.
You do not need to add fertilizer every time you water your plants, these can harm your plants. Usually, you can do this every few waterings or just when your plants start to look as though they are lacking in growth.
Outdoor plants may need to be fertilized more often, sa they grow taller and bigger and therefore need more nitrogen. You will know it’s time to fertilize if your leaves look dull or yellow. Indoors, you will have a grow light LINK set up, so you won’t need to fertilize quite as often.
What Weed Nutrients Should You Buy?
Heed the NPK ratios we mentioned above, but know that you will likely need two types of weed nutrients, or fertilizers. If your plants are in the vegetative stage, you will need a fertilizer that is high in nitrogen, medium to low in potassium, and medium in phosphorus.
If your plants are in the flowering stage, stick to a fertilizer that is high in potassium, low in nitrogen, and medium in phosphorus. If you’re still looking for guidance, check out this cannabis nutrients chart that can cover other kinds of plants, too.
Synthetic or Organic Nutrients
When you are shopping for marijuana nutrients, you will likely be faced with a major decision – do you want to select organic or synthetic (also known as chemical) fertilizers?
There are benefits to using both, as well as disadvantages. Synthetic, or chemical fertilizers, often act more quickly, helping your plants put on more vigorous growth in a short amount of time. If you want yields ASAP, these are the way to go.
In addition, synthetic fertilizers are needed if you are using a hydroponics system. Chemical nutrients will keep things running clean without any cross-contamination. They can also increase the potency of your plants. However, this will depend on your strain, growing medium, and other factors.
Organic nutrients, on the contrary, are all-natural and more ecologically sound. These organic nutrients might be best if you are growing your plants in soil. If you want your plants to have a unique and superb taste and aroma, organic nutrients will win out every time. Plus, organic fertilizers are best suited toward being used in soil – remember, don’t use them in a hydroponic system or you risk clogging your system. Plus, it can grow unwanted plants in a water resource.
What Other Factors (Like Watering & pH) Should Be Considered When Growing Weed?
You probably already know that there are other factors to consider besides nutrients when it comes to growing your own marijauna. You need to think about your water, too.
If you’re growing in a soil medium, you can ignore this. However, if you are growing hydroponically, you need to think about your water pH. If you notice certain deficiencies in your plants despite providing them with regular and adequate amounts of fertilizers, your water pH could be to blame. And if your water pH is not optimal, your weed will have difficulties absorbing nutrients.
If you are growing your plants in hydroponics, your pH must be between 5.5 and 6. If you are growing in soil, it can be between 6 to 7. In other words, a hydroponics system requires alkaline medium while soil systems need to be a bit more acidic. Make sure you pay attention to these values depending on the growing medium you are using.
Be sure to water your plants regularly, too. If you are growing outdoors, put them in a spto where water is easily accessible. If you are watering indoors, you need to be careful about watering throughout the growing cycle – but to avoid over-watering. Too much water with too little air flow can cause the roots to rot. The exact amount of water you will need will vary depending on your climate, growing environment, and strain of marijuana.
Recap
When you are growing your own marijuana, as with growing other types of plants, it’s important that you pay close attention to the nutrients that you provide them. Marijuana can be even more finicky than other types of plants because it is often grown hydroponically and not in the soil. When you are not growing cannabis plants in these oil, they do not have access to vital nutrients that they would receive naturally otherwise. The same is true of any plants being grown indoors.
Not to worry. Our list of the best marijuana nutrients should help guide you as you grow healthy, strong plants that are sure to be of the utmost value and quality.
Did you know that nutrients requirements vary depending on the stage of your growing cannabis? In short, the nutrients needed for the seedling stage, up until the flowering stage is different, so make sure to take note of them to assure that your weeds are getting enough nutrients.
Nutrient Requirements: Seedling Stage
Cannabis seedling does not need much nutrients until they reach 3-4 weeks old, wherein 3-4 true leaves are starting to branch out, entering the vegetative stage. Just a quick fact about cannabis seedlings, they get all their nutrients from the seed, absorb water through their leaves since its root system is not yet fully developed. Make sure to keep them in a warm and humid environment for optimal plant growth.
Nutrient Requirements: Vegetative Stage
Once your seedlings enter the vegetative stage, you should give your plants some treats in a ratio of 2:1:2. Hence, this tip is a great initial step to incorporate some fertilizers to your plants to avoid the occurrence of nutrient burn, which results in drying and dying plants.
However, some growers tried to go on 4:2:3 ratio for fast plant growth, and they saw amazing results immediately.
During the mid-vegetative stage, typically around six weeks after germination, you want to see your weeds grow big. However, organic nutrients might loosen up a bit that’s why most growers add a 10:5:7 fertilizer ratio to keep them healthy and strong. By doing so, nitrogen levels will increase, which is good for your plants in giving off luscious, vibrant green foliage, and numerous bud sites prepping for the flowering stage.
At the end of the vegetative phase, it’s advised to start lowering the nitrogen levels and prepare them for a shift to their big bloom in the flowering stage. Most growers in this phase use a 7:7:7 fertilizer ratio during the last week of the vegetative stage.
Vegetative phase feeding requirements:
Early phase: 2:1:2 fertilizer to 4:2:3 fertilizer
Mid phase: 10:5:7 fertilizer
Late vegetative phase: 7:7:7 fertilizer
Nutrients Requirements: Flowering Stage
During the flowering stage, growing cannabis requires a little less nitrogen and more potassium to enhance the growth of these resinous flowers. In the first couple of weeks of this stage, it is recommended to feed the flowering plants with 5:7:10 fertilizer. From then on, make sure to monitor the nutrients of the plant, always keeping potassium levels higher than the rest of the nutrients.
On the mid-flowering stage, growers will shift at 6:10:15 nutrient solution to prepare for a big bloom towards the end.
During the last phase of the flowering stage, growers will lessen the nutrients to get ready for the pre-harvest period. On this phase, it is normal to use a milder ratio of fertilizer usually at 4:7:10.
Flowering phase feeding requirements:
- Early phase: 5:7:10 fertilizer
- Mid bloom phase: 6:10:15 fertilizer
- Mid-late bloom phase: 4:7:10 fertilizer
- Late bloom phase: pH balanced
By knowing all these key information, growing weeds is just like a piece of cake, sitting on a couch, and then waiting for them to grow. However, it is not simply enough that you treat them nutrients; you should also know how often it should be given and how to read the feed chart since not all people don’t know-how.
So, below are some quick facts you need to know about the feed chart for your growing cannabis.
How to read a feed chart
It is essential to know that different plants have unique nutritional requirements on every phase of their growth cycle. Using feed charts can provide a foundation for beginners superbly. However, as your skills develop, you will need to adjust the feed chart based on your plants’ needs. As time goes by, you will be able to create your customized feed chart considering different factors such as climate, type of strain, water quality, and others.
Though the concept of chart reading seems simple, you need to learn how to read a chart. Usually, a feed chart is broken down into a grid. As you notice, you can see two axes on the table, one is for the nutritional list, while the other provides the timeline. Let’s say; hydroponic feed chart is broken down in a week-to-week format, listing the required different nutrients every week.
If you try to look on a feed chart, it provides a ration stating how many parts of nutrients in a gallon of solution. For example, in the first week, you are required to mix 2.5mL of the nutrient in a gallon of solution. Once you have mixed the nutrients thoroughly into your solution, use PPM (parts per million) reader to make sure that the nutrient solution is right enough based on the feed chart.
I’m surprised mills nutrients or vegamatrix nutrients aren’t on this list! Any reason why?