When you walk through your local hydro shop , it is easy to get overwhelmed by the number of fertilizers available . They all promise big results , and it can be tricky to know which fertilizers and supplements are worth their price tags and which aren ’ t . Most nutrient lines carry a silica supplement , and you may wonder if it is necessary or beneficial to spend your hard-earned money on one . Well , it depends . Silicon is not an essential nutrient . Plants can grow in hydroponic solutions without any silicon added . However , it is considered a beneficial micronutrient . You know those little packets that come with cut flowers to make them last longer ? They are full of silica . Plants grown in soilless media or hydroponic solution without silicon are usually not as healthy or productive as their counterparts grown with silicon supplements or in rich , organic soil , which usually has plenty of silicon available ( you can test your soil to be sure ).
“ You know those little packets that come with cut flowers to make them last longer ? They are full of silica .”