About Root Stimulators and Root Boosters
Strong roots come first. A root stimulator is a liquid additive you mix into your water or feed during the early weeks, after potting on, or when plants need help recovering from stress. Every maker on this page says their product encourages faster root growth and better uptake of water and nutrients.
We stock root stimulators from Canna, Plagron, Shogun, House & Garden, Monkey, Dutch Pro, Mills, Ionic and Hydrotops, plus Great White mycorrhizae and Clonex rooting gel for cuttings. Each is suitable for soil, coco and hydroponics according to its maker, so they suit tomatoes, chillies, peppers, herbs, salad, strawberries, houseplants and flowers alike.
Free UK delivery on orders of £94.99 or more (large 19L to 25L containers have a delivery charge shown at checkout), price match, and Click & Collect from our West Bromwich store.
How to choose a root stimulator
Most root stimulators do a similar job, so the main differences are what they are made from, how much you use and the bottle sizes. The table below uses the details on each product page. Always check the label before mixing.
| Product | What the maker says is in it | Use rate on our product page | Sizes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canna Rhizotonic | Algae based, with vitamins and trace elements. Can be used as a root drench or foliar spray | 4 ml per litre | 1L, 5L, 10L |
| Plagron Power Roots | Humic acids, fulvic acids and plant extracts | 1 ml per litre | 250ml, 500ml, 1L, 5L |
| Plagron Hydro Roots | Phosphorus and boron. Made for hydroponics, also suits soil and coco | 1 ml per litre | 250ml, 1L, 5L |
| Shogun Katana Roots | Liquid root stimulant for early growth and transplanting | 0.5 to 2 ml per litre | 250ml, 1L, 5L, 10L, 25L |
| Shogun Start | Concentrated root enhancer for seedlings, cuttings and transplants | 1 ml per litre | 1L, 5L |
| House & Garden Root Excelurator | Highly concentrated root stimulator | 0.3 ml per litre | 500ml, 1L, 6.25L |
| Monkey Root Shoot | Arctic sea kelp, humic and fulvic acids, vitamins and molasses | About 0.3 ml per litre | 600ml, 1200ml, 6250ml |
| Dutch Pro Take Root | Organic, with natural plant hormones, micronutrients and vitamins | About 1 ml per litre | 250ml, 1L, 5L, 10L |
| Mills Start-R | Irish kelp, humic and fulvic acids, L amino acids and nitrogen (5.2%) | See the Mills feed chart | 1L, 5L |
| Ionic Root Boost | 100% organic and plant based, free of synthetic plant growth regulators | See the label | 300ml, 1L |
| Hydrotops Root Stimulator | Plant extracts, vitamins and minerals | 5 to 10 ml per litre in early growth, per the Hydrotops schedule | 5L, 25L |
| SUPERthrive | Vitamins and plant growth regulators, for transplanting and stress | 1 drop per litre, used occasionally | See product page |
| Great White Mycorrhizae | Mycorrhizal fungi, beneficial bacteria and Trichoderma in a water soluble powder | About 1 scoop per 25 litres | 1oz, 4oz, 8oz, 32oz |
Quick guide. Already using a Canna, Plagron, Shogun, House & Garden, Mills or Ionic feed? Pick the root stimulator from the same range. Want an organic option? Dutch Pro and Ionic both describe theirs as organic. Want something that adds beneficial microbes to the root zone? Look at Great White.
Rooting gel for cuttings
Root stimulators are mixed into water. Rooting gel is different: you dip the cut end of a cutting into it before planting. Clonex says its Rooting Hormone Gel contains plant hormones, antifungal agents, vitamins and trace nutrients, and that the gel seals the cut and stays in place. Clonex Mist is a spray of amino acids and mineral nutrients for the leaves of fresh cuttings. Clonex says it works with or without the gel.
Root stimulator FAQs
What does a root stimulator do?
Makers say a root stimulator encourages faster root growth, more fine root hairs and better uptake of water and nutrients. Canna, for example, says Rhizotonic helps seedlings establish, speeds up rooting of cuttings and helps stressed or repotted plants recover.
When should I use a root booster?
Most makers recommend using one from propagation through early growth and after transplanting. Plagron says Power Roots and Hydro Roots work best in the first weeks and after transplanting, and do not need to be used for the whole grow. Follow the stages on the label of the product you choose.
Can I use a root stimulator in soil, coco and hydroponics?
Yes. Every root stimulator on this page is described by its maker as suitable for soil, coco and hydroponic systems. Plagron Hydro Roots is made with hydroponics in mind but Plagron says it works in soil and coco too. Check pH after mixing.
Is a root stimulator the same as rooting hormone?
No. A root stimulator is diluted in water and fed to plants that already have roots, or used to water in cuttings. A rooting gel such as Clonex is applied directly to the cut stem of a cutting to help new roots form.
Do I need mycorrhizal fungi as well?
It is optional. Plant Success says Great White adds beneficial fungi and bacteria to the root zone to help roots take up more water and nutrients, and it can be dusted on seeds and cuttings, sprinkled in the planting hole or mixed into water. Its maker says it works alongside both organic and synthetic fertilisers.
Shopping for a full setup? See our propagation range, all additives and boosters, or read our guide to rooting cuttings with propagators, heat mats and clone lights.
Need advice? Visit our West Bromwich store, call 0121 553 7872 or WhatsApp our experts.