FloraNova Grow (NPK 7-4-10) and FloraNova Bloom (NPK 4-8-7) are General Hydroponics’ single-bottle hydroponic nutrient line — thick, concentrated liquids that deliver the full macro and micro nutrient profile in one dose. Use FloraNova Grow through vegetative growth, switch to FloraNova Bloom when a fruiting crop sets flowers.
FloraNova exists to solve the convenience problem with the Flora Series. Three bottles, three measuring steps, and a strict mixing order is more routine than many home growers want for a single DWC bucket of lettuce. FloraNova compresses the same nutrient profile into one bottle by using a proprietary thickening agent that holds calcium, phosphates, and sulfates in colloidal suspension. The trade-off is shake time and the loss of bottle-level ratio control. This guide breaks down what each FloraNova product delivers, when to switch from Grow to Bloom, and where FloraNova actually beats — or loses to — the 3-part Flora Series. For the broader product context, see our General Hydroponics complete brand guide.
How a Single-Bottle Nutrient Solves Three-Bottle Chemistry
The fundamental challenge that prevents most hydroponic nutrients from shipping in a single bottle is calcium chemistry. Calcium nitrate (the standard calcium source) reacts with concentrated phosphate and sulfate salts to form insoluble calcium phosphate and calcium sulfate, both of which crystallize out within hours at storage concentrations.
FloraNova solves this with a thickening agent — a proprietary suspending compound that holds the reactive ions in colloidal suspension instead of letting them dissolve completely. At rest, the calcium, phosphate, and sulfate components physically distribute through the bottle as fine particles rather than dissolving and reacting. The bottle is noticeably thicker than other GH liquids — closer in consistency to melted ice cream than juice — which is the visual signature of the suspension chemistry.
The practical consequence is that FloraNova bottles must be shaken aggressively for 30 seconds before every dose to redistribute settled particles. Skipping the shake delivers a wildly imbalanced nutrient profile — heavy on the lighter water-soluble salts that stay in the upper bottle, light on the calcium and micronutrients that settle. Growers who try to dose FloraNova straight from a still bottle get inconsistent EC readings and patchy plant performance until they catch on.
FloraNova Grow — The Vegetative Stage Single-Bottle
FloraNova Grow carries an N-P-K of 7-4-10 with a complete chelated micronutrient package, calcium at 4 percent, magnesium at 1.5 percent, and sulfur at about 1 percent. Mixed at the recommended dose of 4 to 8 ml per gallon, it delivers a balanced vegetative-stage feed that matches the late-vegetative output of the Flora Series 3-part system.
The 7-percent nitrogen is the highest single-bottle nitrogen concentration in the GH catalog, which makes FloraNova Grow especially well-suited to leafy greens (lettuce, basil, kale, herbs) that crop entirely in the vegetative stage. For these crops, FloraNova Grow alone covers the full life cycle from seedling to harvest at a steady 4 to 6 ml per gallon dose, with no schedule changes and no second bottle ever needed.
For mixed gardens that include fruiting crops, FloraNova Grow handles weeks 1 through 6 of vegetative growth. Doses climb from 4 ml per gallon at seedling to 8 ml at peak vegetative, then the grower switches over to FloraNova Bloom when flowers begin to set. The switch is binary — there is no graduated transition the way the Flora Series allows.
FloraNova Bloom — The Flowering Stage Single-Bottle
FloraNova Bloom carries an N-P-K of 4-8-7 — moderate nitrogen, high phosphorus, high potassium. The formula is calibrated for the full flowering and fruiting phase of any crop that transitions to bloom, from tomatoes and peppers to strawberries and flowering herbs.
The 4 percent residual nitrogen distinguishes FloraNova Bloom from FloraBloom (which has zero nitrogen). The choice is intentional. FloraNova Bloom is designed to be used as the only bottle through the entire bloom phase — without some baseline nitrogen, mid-bloom plants would experience nitrogen deficiency in their lower leaves and lose canopy health weeks before harvest. The 4 percent number is calibrated to maintain leaf health without driving the kind of new vegetative growth that competes with fruit set.
The 8 percent phosphorus is the highest in the FloraNova line and supports flower formation, root mass expansion, and ATP energy transfer during fruit development. The 7 percent potassium drives fruit sugar synthesis and water regulation. Calcium (5 percent), magnesium (1.5 percent), and sulfur (1 percent) round out the secondary macronutrients, with the same chelated micronutrient package as FloraNova Grow.
Doses through bloom climb from 4 ml per gallon at the transition into flowering up to 10 ml per gallon at peak bloom on a heavy fruiting crop. Most home growers run a steady 6 to 8 ml per gallon throughout bloom — the dose curve matters more for commercial yields than for home crops.
FloraNova Grow vs FloraNova Bloom — Side by Side
| Attribute | FloraNova Grow | FloraNova Bloom |
|---|---|---|
| NPK | 7-4-10 | 4-8-7 |
| Best stage | Vegetative growth | Flowering / fruiting |
| Best crops | Lettuce, herbs, kale, basil, leafy greens | Tomatoes, peppers, strawberries, flowering plants |
| Calcium | 4.0% | 5.0% |
| Magnesium | 1.5% | 1.5% |
| Sulfur | 1.0% | 1.0% |
| Standard dose | 4 to 8 ml per gallon | 6 to 10 ml per gallon |
| Target EC | 1.0 to 1.5 | 1.8 to 2.6 |
| Bottle color | Amber liquid | Dark red liquid |
| Typical price | $24 / quart | $24 / quart |
The two bottles overlap on calcium, magnesium, sulfur, and the chelated micronutrient package. The meaningful differences are in N-P-K — FloraNova Grow loads the nitrogen and potassium for vegetative vigor; FloraNova Bloom shifts toward phosphorus for flower formation and a lower nitrogen cap to prevent vegetative competition with fruit set.
When to Switch from Grow to Bloom
For leafy greens (lettuce, basil, herbs, kale, spinach), the answer is simple: never switch. Stay on FloraNova Grow for the entire crop cycle. These crops never enter a meaningful flowering or fruiting phase before harvest, and FloraNova Bloom would push phosphorus that the plant cannot use.
For fruiting nightshades (tomatoes, peppers, eggplant), switch the moment you see the first flower buds forming. This usually corresponds to weeks 5 to 7 of growth from seedling, depending on variety. Make the switch in a single reservoir change — drain the current FloraNova Grow reservoir, refill with FloraNova Bloom at 6 ml per gallon, and continue until harvest.
For strawberries, the transition is fuzzier because the crop flowers continuously. Most growers switch to FloraNova Bloom at week 3 to 4 from transplant, when the first runners and crowns establish, and stay on it for the entire fruiting cycle. Flowering herbs (chamomile, lavender) follow the same pattern — switch when you see the first flower spikes.
For best results during the transition week, drop the EC slightly (target 1.5 to 1.8) for the first week of FloraNova Bloom feeding. Plants that have been fed heavy nitrogen for weeks need a few days to physiologically shift toward reproductive growth, and a slightly weaker reservoir during the switch reduces stress.
FloraNova vs the Flora Series — Convenience Trade-Off
The decision between FloraNova and the 3-bottle Flora Series comes down to mixing convenience versus ratio control. Both produce comparable yields on home-scale crops. Commercial growers tend to choose the Flora Series for ratio flexibility; home growers and beginners often prefer FloraNova for simplicity.
FloraNova wins on convenience: one bottle replaces three, no mixing order, no transition-stage dose math — switch from Grow to Bloom when the crop signals flowering. The Flora Series wins on cost (lower per-gallon at the same EC), ratio control (push nitrogen or potassium independently), and shelf life (no shake step, no suspended-particle chemistry).
For the bottle-level breakdown of the Flora Series, see our deep-dive on FloraGro, FloraMicro, and FloraBloom or the complete GH Flora Series guide.
An Honest Assessment of FloraNova
FloraNova is not General Hydroponics’ best-performing product on a yield-per-dollar basis — that title belongs to the Flora Series for control and to MaxiBloom for raw cost. FloraNova exists to fill the convenience niche, and for the right user it does that job well.
The shake routine is the single biggest practical complaint. The bottle is genuinely thick and a half-shake leaves enough particle stratification to throw off EC readings by 0.2 to 0.3. Growers who mix in low light or with their attention split between tasks tend to under-shake and end up with inconsistent feed. The fix is simple — make the 30-second shake a non-negotiable habit — but it is friction that the 3-part Flora Series does not have.
The price-per-gallon-of-feed is roughly 50 percent higher than the Flora Series. At a 4 to 8 ml per gallon dose, a quart bottle of FloraNova Grow ($24) mixes about 120 to 240 gallons of feed. The Flora Series at the same EC works out to about 300 to 400 gallons per equivalent spend. For a small home setup the difference is negligible; for a 100-gallon greenhouse, it adds up to $200 to $400 per year. For comparison shopping across nutrient brands, see our roundup of the best hydroponic fertilizer for 2026.
Next Steps
FloraNova Grow alone is the simplest practical hydroponic feed for a first system growing leafy greens. Buy one quart, shake it well, dose at 4 to 6 ml per gallon, and you have a working reservoir. For fruiting crops, buy both Grow and Bloom and switch at flowering. If you want to optimize further, move up to the Flora Series 3-part once you have a stable EC and pH routine.
For background on the broader nutrient landscape, see our complete guide to hydroponic nutrients. For the practical reservoir build, our step-by-step on how to mix hydroponic nutrient solution covers the FloraNova workflow including the shake step. And for the meter you’ll need to dial in EC for both Grow and Bloom phases, see our EC meter for hydroponics guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between FloraNova Grow and FloraNova Bloom?
FloraNova Grow has NPK 7-4-10 and is calibrated for vegetative growth on any crop. FloraNova Bloom has NPK 4-8-7 — more phosphorus, less nitrogen — for the flowering and fruiting phase. Switch from Grow to Bloom when fruiting crops set their first flower buds.
Can I use FloraNova Grow for the entire crop?
Yes for leafy greens like lettuce, basil, kale, and herbs that never flower before harvest. No for fruiting crops like tomatoes and peppers that need the higher phosphorus and lower nitrogen of FloraNova Bloom for proper fruit set and quality.
Why do I have to shake the FloraNova bottle?
FloraNova uses a proprietary thickening agent to hold calcium, phosphates, and sulfates in colloidal suspension. The particles settle when the bottle sits still. A vigorous 30-second shake before every dose redistributes the suspended particles and ensures a balanced nutrient profile in your reservoir.
How much FloraNova should I use per gallon?
FloraNova Grow runs at 4 to 8 ml per gallon — start at 4 ml for seedlings and clones, climb to 8 ml at peak vegetative. FloraNova Bloom runs at 6 to 10 ml per gallon through the flowering and fruiting phase. Always shake the bottle for 30 seconds before measuring.
Is FloraNova better than the Flora Series?
Neither is better in absolute terms. FloraNova wins on convenience — one bottle, no mixing order, no schedule. The Flora Series wins on cost per gallon of feed and on full ratio control. Choose FloraNova for simple single-crop setups, the Flora Series for mixed gardens or commercial yields.
Can I mix FloraNova Grow and FloraNova Bloom together?
Yes during transition weeks. Many growers run a 50/50 blend at 4 to 6 ml per gallon for the first 7 to 10 days as a fruiting crop shifts from vegetative to flowering. After that, switch to FloraNova Bloom alone at 6 to 8 ml per gallon for the rest of the crop.
