Guides, Nutrient Guides
Additives vs Stimulants: What’s the Difference?
Apr
If you’re reading this blog, you are likely looking to improve your plants’ health, vigour, and yield potential. When growing indoors, plants must be supplemented with various health-boosting elements, including base nutrients, additives, and stimulants. We’ve already covered the benefits of base nutrients in a previous blog. Now, let’s take the next step in optimising your plants’ health by exploring the role of additives and stimulants.
There are so many varieties of additives and stimulants on the market that it can be overwhelming. In this blog, we’ll first clarify the difference between plant additives and stimulants. Then we’ll explore the different applications of these products, along with recommendations for high-quality options available at Global Air Supplies.
What’s the Difference Between Plant Additives and Stimulants?
At first glance, the differences between plant additives and stimulants may seem subtle. To make matters more confusing, companies classify these products differently. While both are used to enhance plant health, they function in distinct ways. Here’s how we define them.
What is an Additive?
Additives serve multiple purposes related to plant care and growing system maintenance. They are supplementary to your standard nutrient feeding regime. Some additives address specific plant health issues, such as nutrient deficiencies, which affect foliage colour, cell formation and structural strength. Others improve soil properties or enhance plant resilience.
There are also system care additives, which prevent salt and nutrient build-up in your growing system. Without these, deposits can block your system, hindering water and nutrient uptake, leading to weaker, discoloured plants. In short, additives are designed to be used in addition to your existing feeding schedule.
What is a Plant Stimulant?
Also known as biostimulants, plant stimulants contain beneficial microorganisms and other ingredients that enhance a plant’s natural functions. These stimulants improve nutrient efficiency, resistance to pathogens, and overall crop quality. Put simply, they stimulate your plants to achieve more in growth, health, and yields. Simply put, the help plants perform at their best.
While additives are often used to fix issues, stimulants are proactive, helping plants thrive beyond their normal capacity.
Which Additives and Stimulants will Help my Plants Thrive?
At Global Air Supplies, we take plant care seriously. That’s why we’ve tested all our additives and stimulants in-house ensuring we only recommend the most effective and reliable products.
Magnesium & Calcium Deficiency – Causes stunted growth, reduced fruit production, and yellowing leaves.
Recommended: Plant Magic Magne-Cal+ (enhances PK booster effectiveness) or House & Garden MgO 8% Magnesium Boost (for extra magnesium support).
Silicon Deficiency – Leads to weak stems and misshapen leaves.
Recommended: Plant Magic Silicon (fortifies against pests and intense light) or House & Garden Amino Treatment (boosts plant quality and yield).
Potassium & Phosphorus Deficiency – Results in short, narrow leaves and necrotic spots.
Recommended: Plant Magic Platinum PK 9/18 (highly concentrated biostimulant formula).
Nitrogen Deficiency – Causes slow growth and yellowing leaves.
Recommended: House & Garden N27% Nitrogen Boost (ensures strong vegetative growth and stem structure).
General Plant Care Additives:
- Plant Magic Evolution 2.0 (revitalises stressed plants and promotes new shoots).
- House & Garden Magic Green (a powerful foliar spray that enhances photosynthesis and strengthens plant structure).
- Plant Magic Flush Finish (final-phase fertiliser that flushes excess salts before harvest).
- House & Garden pH Osmosis Stabilizer (balances pH in RO water).
Growing System Care Additives:
Without proper maintenance, salt deposits and other residues can build up in your system, affecting plant health and yield. These products help keep your system clean:
- Plant Magic Pure Clean – A universal system cleaner suitable for all growing setups.
- House & Garden Drip Clean – Specially formulated for hydroponic systems, preventing mineral build-up, and ensuring nutrient absorption.
Plant Care Stimulants:
There are countless plant stimulants available, but these are among the most effective and trusted by our customers:
Soil Care Stimulants:
Water Soluble Mycorrhizal from Plant Magic – Enhances root-zone bioactivity for vigorous plant growth.
Plant Magic Mycorrhizal Potting Granules – Increases root mass and microbial diversity, ideal for media-based systems.
Plant Care Stimulants:
Root Boosters – House & Garden Roots Excelurator Gold/Silver (tailored for media-based and hydro systems, respectively, these stimulants enhance root vigour and prevent deficiencies).
Bloom Phase – House & Garden Bud XL (supports flowering plants by providing essential nitrogen and potassium) or Plant Magic Boost (rich in biostimulants to increase sugar and oil production).
A Wide Range With Even Wider Applications:
Global Air Supplies’ selection of additives and stimulants makes plant and system care easier, ensuring consistently high-quality crops. To explore our full range of nutrients, click here.