Best pH and EC Values for Your Hydroponic Nutrient Solution
The pH and the EC value are the most important thing in hydroponics. Every plant has an unique pH and EC value and for it to thrive, they must be in an ideal range. You can either measure those values with test stripes or digital meter.
The pH value shows how acidic or basic a nutrient solution is. The values are defined on a scale from 0 (acidic) to 14 (alkaline). 7 is pH neutral. The pH of the nutrient solution influences the availability of the nutrients. Some nutrients are more readily available in alkaline or acidic conditions. Because every plant has different nutritional requirements, every plant has its optimal pH in hydroponics.
In the other hand, the EC value (Electrical Conductivity) describes the electronic conductivity of a solution. This gives information about the amount of dissolved salts. Nutrients break down into ions. The ions conduct electricity because of their positive and negative ions. Therefore the more conductive the nutrient solution is, the more nutrients are present in the nutrient solution. Some plants prefer a high concentration of nutrients and some prefer a low one. Too many nutrients are toxic. Too few nutrients cause deficiency symptoms.
Note: Seedlings and young plants respond best to nutrient solutions on the weaker end of the ranges listed. Slowly increase the strength of the nutrient solution as the plant grows.
| VEGETABLES | pH VALUE | EC VALUE |
|---|---|---|
| Artichoke | 6.5-7.5 | 0.8-1.8 |
| Arugula | 6.0-7.5 | 0.8-1.8 |
| Asparagus | 6.0-6.8 | 1.4-1.8 |
| Banana | 5.5-6.5 | 1.8-2.2 |
| Beans | 6.0-6.5 | 1.8-2.5 |
| Beetroot | 6.0-6.5 | 0.8-5.0 |
| Bell Pepper | 6.0-6.5 | 1.8-2.8 |
| Black currant | 6.0 | 1.4-1.8 |
| Blueberry | 4.0-5.0 | 1.8-2.0 |
| Broad bean | 6.0-6.5 | 1.8-2.2 |
| Broccoli | 6.0-6.5 | 2.8-3.5 |
| Brussels sprouts | 6.5-7.5 | 2.5-3.0 |
| Cabbage | 6.5-7.0 | 2.5-3.0 |
| Carrots | 6.3 | 1.6-2.0 |
| Cauliflower | 6.0-7.0 | 0.5-2.0 |
| Celery | 6.5 | 1.8-2.4 |
| Chili | 5.8-6.3 | 1.8-2.8 |
| Cress | 6.0-6.5 | 1.2-2.4 |
| Cucumber | 5.8-6.0 | 1.7-2.5 |
| Edible Flower | 5.5-6.0 | 1.5 |
| Eggplant | 5.5-6.5 | 2.5-3.5 |
| Endive | 5.5 | 2.0-2.4 |
| Ginger | 5.8-6.0 | 2.0-2.5 |
| Garlic | 6.0 | 1.4-1.8 |
| Hot peppers | 6.0-6.5 | 1.4-1.8 |
| Kale | 5.5-6.5 | 1.25-1.5 |
| Leeks | 6.5-7.0 | 1.4-1.8 |
| Lemon balm | 5.5-6.5 | 1.0-1.6 |
| Lettuce | 5.5-6.5 | 0.8-1.2 |
| Melon | 5.5-6.0 | 2.0-2.5 |
| Onions | 6.0-6.7 | 1.2-1.8 |
| Okra | 6.5 | 2.0-2.4 |
| Pak Choi / Tatsoi | 6.0-7.5 | 1.5-2.0 |
| Parsnip | 6.0 | 1.4-1.8 |
| Pea | 6.0-7.0 | 0.8-1.8 |
| Pineapple | 5.5-6.0 | 2.0-2.4 |
| Potato | 5.0-6.0 | 2.0-2.5 |
| Pumpkin | 5.5-7.5 | 1.8-2.4 |
| Radish | 6.0-7.0 | 1.6-2.2 |
| Red currant | 6.0 | 1.4-1.8 |
| Rhubarb | 5.0- 6.0 | 1.6-2.0 |
| Salad | 5.5-6.5 | 0.8-1.5 |
| Rocket | 6.0-7.5 | 0.8-1.2 |
| Spinach | 6.0-7.0 | 1.8-2.3 |
| Strawberry | 5.5-6.5 | 1.8-2.2 |
| Sweet Corn | 6.0 | 1.6-2.4 |
| Sweet Potato | 6.0-6.5 | 2.0-2.5 |
| Swiss chard | 6.0-7.0 | 1.8-2.3 |
| Sweet Granadilla | 6.5 | 1.6-2.4 |
| Tomatoes | 5.5-6.5 | 1.5-2.5 |
| Turnip | 6.0-6.5 | 1.8-2.4 |
| Watermelon | 5.8 | 1.5-2.4 |
| Zucchini | 6.0 | 1.8-2.4 |
| HERBS | pH VALUE | EC VALUE |
|---|---|---|
| Anise | 5.8-6.4 | 0.9-1.4 |
| Basil | 5.5-6.0 | 1.0-1.6 |
| Catnip | 5.5-6.5 | 1.0-1.6 |
| Chamomile | 5.5-6.5 | 1.0-1.6 |
| Chervil | 5.5-6.0 | 0.8-1.8 |
| Chickory | 5.5-6.0 | 2.0-2.4 |
| Chives | 6.0-6.5 | 1.8-2.4 |
| Cilantro | 5.8-6.4 | 1.2-1.8 |
| Coriander | 5.8-6.4 | 1.2-1.8 |
| Dill | 5.5-6.4 | 1.0-1.6 |
| Fennel | 6.4-6.8 | 1.0-1.4 |
| Lavender | 6.4-6.8 | 1.0-1.4 |
| Lemon Balm | 5.5-6.5 | 1.0-1.6 |
| Marjoram | 6.0 | 1.6-2.0 |
| Mint | 5.5-6.0 | 2.0-2.4 |
| Mustard Cress | 6.0-6.5 | 1.2-2.4 |
| Oregano | 6.0-7.0 | 1.8-2.3 |
| Parsley | 5.5-6.0 | 0.8-1.8 |
| Rosemary | 5.5-6.0 | 1.0-1.6 |
| Sage | 5.5-6.5 | 1.0-1.6 |
| Tarragon | 5.5-6.5 | 1.0-1.8 |
| Thyme | 5.5-7.0 | 0.8-1.6 |
| Vietnamese Coriander | 6.5-6.8 | 1.2-1.8 |
| Watercress | 5.8-6.4 | 0.4-1.8 |
Why is pH important when growing hydroponically?
The pH of a hydroponic nutrient solution is directly related to a plant's ability to absorb essential nutrients. If the solution is too acidic, micronutrients will be absorbed in toxic amounts, while macronutrients will be absent. On the other hand, if the solution is too alkaline, plants will not absorb micronutrients.
Plants rely on 16 elements to thrive and get maximum yields. These elements are divided into macronutrients, secondary nutrients, micronutrients, and nutrients from air and water.
Macronutrients: nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium
Secondary nutrients: sulfur, calcium, magnesium
Micronutrients: iron, mangan, boron, copper and zinc
Air & water: hydrogen, oxygen, carbon
Growing vegetable in soil has some advantages over hydroponic. One of them is that soil is really ‘forgiving’ when it comes to incorrect pH value, because as a medium itself soil buffers very well and bring the pH value of the fertilizer to its pH value easily.
When growing hydroponically (especially with anorganic substrate), pH value should be in the optimal range of the plant and should be checked regularly and, if necessary, regulated, because in contrast to soil, these media do not buffer the pH value through the countless microorganisms and unique soil flora.
Anyone who use tap water for hydroponic should also make sure to leave it in an open container for 24 hours so that the chlorine dissolved in the water evaporates.
If the pH is too high or too low, the plants can no longer absorb some nutrients. This leads to specific deficiency symptoms on one hand and to an oversupply of nutrients in the substrate on the other. As a chain reaction, the roots of the plants literally burn due to the constant contact with the nutrient salts and further leaf damage is the result.
How to measure the pH
A wide variety of devices are available on the market to determine the pH value. There is a wide variety of products available, from inexpensive, single-use pH gauges to expensive electronic measuring devices. In the inexpensive measuring devices, the electrode is permanently installed and cannot be exchanged. Higher quality devices usually have an exchangeable electrode or an external measuring probe, which can be exchanged relatively inexpensively in the event of damage. The price range here is between 30 and 300 euros.
Adjusting pH value
The most reliable way to adjust the pH in a hydroponic reservoir is to use commercially available pH adjustment chemicals. There are numerous brands at different prices. Which one you use is entirely up to you.
There are other methods that can raise or lower the pH of your solution, but they often leave unwanted elements in the solution that become part of the solution's TDS (Total dissolved solids). The end result is a reduction in the amount of nutrients suspended in the hydroponic solution.
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