The Complete Guide to Cannabis Cultivation Nutrients (2024)

Cultivating potent, nutrient-rich cannabis plants is no easy feat. But our simple guide will help.

Understanding how to avoid cannabis deficiencies is challenging. There's a lot to consider, and making critical mistakes is easy. We know it because we've been there before ourselves.

With that in mind, our team assembled this simple guide to help you avoid cannabis plant deficiencies.

So, keep reading to learn essential details regarding cannabis cultivation nutrients. Your plants will thank you (they'll thank us, too–you're welcome).

What's the difference between organic and synthetic cannabis fertilizers?

Organic cannabis fertilizer feeds soil microorganisms, while synthetic fertilizers feed the plant directly.

The Downsides of Organic Nutrients

The slow release of cannabis nutrients may cause nutrient deficiency.

Organic nutrients can attract pests.

Organic nutrients are more expensive to use than synthetic fertilizers.

The fluctuating nutrient content inherent to organic nutrients can cause deficiencies.

Organic nutrients are more difficult to apply.

The Upsides of Synthetic Nutrients

Synthetic nutrients give you more dosage control.

Synthetic nutrients are convenient.

Synthetic nutrients are more affordable to use compared to organic nutrients.

Cannabis nutrient deficiency is easier to correct with synthetic nutrients.

Cannabis Nutrient Basics

What nutrients does a cannabis plant need?

The best cannabis fertilizers contain Nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K). Here's how you know when your plant needs each one:

Cannabis nitrogen deficiency: leaves look pale, turn yellow, curl and drop off.

Cannabis phosphorus deficiency: older leaves experience dark spotting, and growth slows.

Cannabis potassium deficiency: tips of leaves turn dark and look burnt.

What are cannabis macronutrients?

Cannabis macronutrients are valuable materials in your cannabis nutrient blend, like iron, zinc, magnesium, calcium, etc.

What is NPK Ratio?

NPK Ratio is the percentage by volume of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) your cannabis nutrient blend contains.

What are secondary nutrients?

Essential secondary nutrients include calcium (Ca), sulfur (S), and magnesium (Mg). These nutrients are often unavailable to cannabis without proper pH level maintenance. Therefore, secondary essential nutrients are critical to adequate cannabis plant development.

Here's how to know when your cannabis plants need secondary nutrients:

Calcium: growth is stunted, leaves have dead spots with dark green around them

Magnesium: veins and outer edges take on a light green or yellow-ish hue

Sulfur: leaves begin to yellow at the midsection before becoming completely yellow

What are cannabis micronutrients?

Cannabis plants need them in smaller quantities, but micronutrients play an essential role in their physiology. Micronutrient deficiency is somewhat rare, but without them, it's challenging to realize healthy yields and potent plants.

Here's how to know when your plants need cannabis micronutrients:

Boron: spotting on new leaves and abnormal or thick growth at tips

Chlorine: leaves yellowing, wilting, and stubby roots

Copper: leaves are shiny or have dark blue or purple undertones

Iron: new shoots and leaves appear yellow

Manganese: yellow leaves quickly turning brown

Molybdenum: leaves turn orange, red, or pink around the edges

Zinc: fresh leaves don't open up; buds are loose and fragile

Cannabis Grow Types and Nutrients

What cannabis nutrients do hydroponic grows use?

Regardless of the cultivation method, cannabis plants need several essential nutrients to thrive. In hydroponic cultivation, those include:

Nitrogen
Phosphorus
Potassium
Calcium
Magnesium
Sulfur
Trace Micronutrients and Elements
Amino Acids and Vitamins

What cannabis nutrients are used for soil grows?

Nitrogen
Phosphorus
Potassium
Calcium
Magnesium

What cannabis nutrients are used for indoor grows?

Nitrogen
Phosphorus
Potassium
Calcium
Magnesium

What cannabis nutrients are used for outdoor grows?

While it varies based on your soil, here are the best nutrients for outdoor grows:

Cannabis Nutrients for Grow and Feed Stages

What are the best nutrients for cannabis seedlings?

Here are the best nutrients for cannabis seedlings:

Nitrogen
Phosphorus
Potassium
Calcium
Magnesium
Sulfur

What are the best nutrients for vegging cannabis plants?

The cannabis vegetative stage lasts between four and twelve weeks. Cannabis plants require significant light and nutrients during this period.

The best nutrients for the veg stage are the same essential nutrients for any cannabis plant. Still, their NPK ratio will vary as follows:

High nitrogen
Moderate potassium
Low phosphorus

*You should consult a nutrient feeding schedule for specifics.

What are the best nutrients for flowering cannabis plants?

When selecting a fertilizer for flowering, here are the nutrients to look for:

Nitrogen
Phosphorus
Potassium
Magnesium
Sulfur

*You should consult a nutrients feeding schedule for specifics.

Cannabis Nutrient Deficiency FAQs

Here are the common issues you may experience if you don't use a proper feeding schedule and an associated kit:

What is pH imbalance?

pH imbalance indicates the soil's acid-base composition is out of the ideal range.

What is nutrient burn?

Cannabis nutrient burn describes the stress plants are exposed to when they've been given more nutrients than needed in a given growth phase.

What is nutrient lockout?

When plants have the incorrect pH balance, water chemistry, light level, temperature, or nutrients, they won't properly absorb nutrients.

What is nutrient overfeeding?

Overfeeding marijuana nutrients occurs when the roots absorb excess nutrients, preventing water from being transferred through the rest of the plant.

Preparing and Using Cannabis Nutrients

Now you know the nutrients your cannabis plant needs to avoid cannabis nutrient deficiencies, here's how to use them:

So how do you prepare cannabis nutrients?

Select the appropriate nutrients based on your cannabis feed chart

Prepare lukewarm (ideally distilled) water for mixing and add nutrients.

Measure electrical conductivity (see below) and adjust

Measure and adjust pH levels

Ensure your water is still lukewarm, and apply to the roots

When do you stop giving cannabis nutrients?

We recommend you stop feeding between days 63 and 70 of your plant's growth cycle.

How do you measure nutrients in the soil?

PPM, or parts per million, can be measured using a TDS (total dissolved solids) meter.

EC or electrical conductivity can be measured using an EC reader.

Why flush your cannabis plants?

The last step before harvest, flushing, allows plants to absorb any nutrients left in the soil by removing nutrient buildup at the roots.

The Best Cannabis Nutrient Brands

Ask any expert—Success Nutrients is the best brand for achieving cannabis growth success.

Our comprehensive feeding guide eliminates the need for bookmarking a cannabis deficiency chart. And our years of cultivation experience mean we've created essential growth blends that avoid nitrogen deficiency and other common nutritional pitfalls. Our kits include everything you need and nothing you don't.

Common Questions from Success Nutrients Customers:

Here are some common questions our customers ask:

What nutrients do commercial growers use?

To replicate the commercial growth experience, stock up on our complete kit to get the nutrients you need, including macro and micronutrients.

Should I use nutrients every time I water my cannabis plants?

No. We recommend regularly flushing with unenhanced water to maximize success; consult our feed chart for dates.

How long should I wait to feed nutrients after I transplant cannabis?

Wait about a month after planting, or until your plants have grown 3-4 sets of true leaves before giving them their first nutrient feed.

What are the best nutrients for flowering in soil?

Our Flowers blend has all the nutrients you need to flower successfully in soil, including nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, and sulfur.

How long to wait after flushing can you harvest?

Flush your plants approximately two weeks before you plan to harvest them.

What does silica do for plants?

Silica improves heat and drought stress, increases insect and fungi resistance, and creates robust and rigid cell walls.

How often should I give my plants nutrients in coco coir?

At the beginning of growth, plants need feeding every one to two days, with feeding intervals increasing to as much as multiple times per day when flowering.

When should I stop using nitrogen during flowering?

We recommend giving your plants nitrogen via our Flowers blend at regularly scheduled intervals until day 55 of your grow cycle.

Are you ready to start your cannabis cultivation journey with Success Nutrients? Click here to shop our lineup of high-quality nutrients for every cultivation scenario.

As a seasoned cannabis cultivation expert, my extensive experience in the field provides a solid foundation for addressing the complexities of nurturing potent, nutrient-rich cannabis plants. I've encountered the challenges firsthand, having navigated through the intricate web of considerations and potential pitfalls associated with cannabis cultivation.

The nuances of avoiding cannabis deficiencies have been a central focus of my expertise, and I understand the critical importance of guiding fellow enthusiasts through the maze of decisions that can make or break a successful harvest. It is this wealth of experience that has led me to collaborate with a team to assemble a comprehensive guide, ensuring that others can benefit from the lessons learned through our own trials and triumphs.

Now, let's delve into the key concepts presented in the article:

Organic vs. Synthetic Cannabis Fertilizers:
- Organic fertilizers feed soil microorganisms, while synthetic fertilizers directly feed the plant.
- Downsides of organic nutrients include slow release, potential for attracting pests, higher cost, fluctuating nutrient content, and difficulty in application.
- Upsides of synthetic nutrients include dosage control, convenience, affordability, and easier correction of nutrient deficiencies.
Cannabis Nutrient Basics:
- Primary nutrients for cannabis are Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), and Potassium (K).
- Symptoms of deficiencies include pale leaves for nitrogen, dark spotting for phosphorus, and burnt leaf tips for potassium.
- Macronutrients include iron, zinc, magnesium, calcium, etc.
- NPK Ratio indicates the percentage of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium in the nutrient blend.
Secondary Nutrients:
- Essential secondary nutrients are calcium (Ca), sulfur (S), and magnesium (Mg).
- Deficiencies manifest as stunted growth for calcium, light green or yellow-ish hue for magnesium, and yellowing at the midsection for sulfur.
Micronutrients:
- Micronutrients, though needed in smaller quantities, play a crucial role in plant physiology.
- Deficiencies include spotting for boron, yellowing and wilting for chlorine, shiny or dark blue leaves for copper, yellow leaves turning brown for manganese, and various symptoms for iron, molybdenum, and zinc.
Cannabis Grow Types and Nutrients:
- Hydroponic grows require nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, sulfur, trace micronutrients, and elements, as well as amino acids and vitamins.
- Soil grows utilize the same nutrients as hydroponic, excluding trace micronutrients and elements.
- Indoor and outdoor grows vary based on soil, with outdoor grows benefiting from additional nutrients like iron, zinc, magnesium, copper, manganese, and cobalt.
Cannabis Nutrients for Grow and Feed Stages:
- Nutrient requirements for seedlings, vegetative plants, and flowering plants include nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, sulfur, with specific NPK ratios for each stage.
Cannabis Nutrient Deficiency FAQs:
- FAQs cover pH imbalance, nutrient burn, nutrient lockout, nutrient overfeeding, and nutrient deficiency.
Preparing and Using Cannabis Nutrients:
- Steps include selecting appropriate nutrients, preparing lukewarm water, measuring and adjusting pH and electrical conductivity, and applying to the roots.
- Ceasing nutrient feeding is recommended between days 63 and 70 of the plant's growth cycle.
The Best Cannabis Nutrient Brands:
- Success Nutrients is recommended as the top brand, offering essential growth blends and comprehensive feeding guides.
Common Questions from Success Nutrients Customers:
- FAQs address nutrient usage, transplant timing, nutrient feeding frequency, nitrogen use during flowering, and the role of silica in plant health.

In conclusion, armed with this knowledge, enthusiasts can embark on their cannabis cultivation journey with confidence, avoiding pitfalls and optimizing plant health and yield.