Cannabis Nutrient Deficiencies: Complete Guide [Visual Charts]

If you’re looking for answers to your questions about cannabis nutrient deficiencies, you’ve come to the right place.

As an avid grower and forever cannabis cultivation student, I understand the challenges and frustrations of dealing with periodic nutrient deficiencies in your garden.

With this blog post, I want to help you get a better understanding of the causes and symptoms of cannabis nutrient deficiency and provide you with simple and effective solutions.

We’ll dive into topics like:

• The importance of understanding the nutrient needs of your cannabis plants
• The different types of nutrient deficiencies
• How to diagnose and fix those deficiencies

By the end of this article, you’ll be well-equipped to deal with nutrient deficiencies and keep your crop healthy and thriving.

Every grower is looking to unlock the ‘secret’ to growing the best cannabis. Since every grow room or environment is set up differently and has different variables, it’s best to maximize the variables you can control and understand.

Your plants need proper temperature/humidity, enough light, airflow, and a balanced nutritional diet with all the necessary macro and micronutrients fed at the correct pH.

When your plant(s) are missing just one element of the above list, plants will experience stress. This makes them susceptible to disease, mold, pests, and other problems. All of this results in lower quality, lower producing harvests.

Understanding deficiencies and how to correct them is a skill that allows growers to improve plant health. In this article, you will learn more about the most basic nutrient deficiencies in cannabis and what you can do to fix them. Even more importantly, you will learn some useful tips to avoid these cannabis deficiencies in the first place.

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What are cannabis plant nutrient deficiencies?

A cannabis deficiency is seen when the cannabis plant is unable to access a key nutrient or mineral essential for healthy growth. Even if your plants have a relatively healthy diet/feed, the absence of a single essential nutrient can have profound effects. This can have a severe impact on yield and/or quality. In the worst cases, a cannabis deficiency can threaten the survival of your plant.

Fortunately for weed growers, the cannabis plant can communicate many of the common deficiencies and issues to us. That’s assuming we know what to look for and how to interpret the signs. Visual clues from the leaves and general plant appearance can convey a lot of useful information to the experienced cultivator. Read on to find out more.

Nutrients and pH levels for cannabis

One of the surprising, and frustrating, features of cannabis growing is that your plants can have a nutrient deficiency even if you have provided a balanced feed. Just because you have ensured that your plant has all the required nourishment doesn’t mean it can be absorbed at the root level. For nutrient absorption to take place at the root level, the pH needs to be within a set range. If the growing medium becomes too acidic or too alkaline then the nutrients simply can’t be absorbed.

Before attempting to identify any cannabis deficiency it’s important to check that your pH is in the right region. Those growing in soil (or similar mediums) should aim for a pH of around 5.8-6.8. Halfway between, at around pH 6.3 is thought to be ideal. Note that many soils (and soil-related) grow media should ‘self buffer’ and be naturally at the right pH. But it’s always worth checking. Hydroponic growers will often refer to nutrient manufacturers’ recommendations, but a pH of around 6 is not uncommon.

It is always wise to be aware of the natural pH of your local water. Remember that your water pH can vary, don’t assume it is always the same. At different times of the year, with different rainfall and treatment levels pH can drift up and down slightly. Understanding the pH of your water source is a good starting point and something worth monitoring.

Cannabis deficiencies and water supply

Some local water sources can have naturally high levels of some minerals but may be low in others. This can make it tricky to use certain nutrient additives if you already have variable levels in your water supply.

That’s why some professional growers try to take the variables within the natural water supply out of the equation and use deionized water. This is water that has been specially filtered to remove any mineral ions present. The result is pure water that is free from any mineral content. Some growers prefer to use fully deionized water as the starting point. But this approach tends to be used by a small minority of serious growers. Most cannabis home growers tend to use tap water and find it generally works well enough.

Cannabis nutrient deficiencies: macronutrients and micronutrients

Macronutrients are those required in high quantities by your cannabis plants. The main macronutrients for cannabis are Nitrogen, Potassium, and Phosphorus. These are used in many of the primary biochemical processes during vegetative growth and bloom.

Micronutrients are minerals that are required in trace quantities to ensure that plant cellular biology can function well. Micronutrients include Copper, Silicon, Zinc, Sulphur, etc.

Mobile nutrients vs immobile nutrients in cannabis deficiencies

Understanding the subtle differences between mobile and immobile nutrients can also help the grower understand cannabis deficiencies better. Mobile nutrients such as Phosphorus can be transferred from one part of the plant to another. If that Phosphorus was stored in an old fan leaf before being transferred to another part of the plant, you will first spot the deficiency in older growth.

Other minerals, such as Zinc are immobile minerals. Once deposited by the plant, they are difficult to transfer around the plant. This means that you might initially notice deficiencies of immobile minerals in new growth.

Cannabis deficiencies and excesses chart

The images and information in this post are partly based on content from Jorge Cervantes. All rights reserved. Visit marijuanagrowing.com for more information.

As always with cannabis cultivation, problem prevention is far better than cure. One classic problem with mineral deficiencies is that they are misinterpreted and treated incorrectly which only makes the problem worse. Some of the cannabis deficiencies can look similar and may take an experienced eye to correctly identify.

One basic way for soil growers to try to avoid deficiencies is to lean towards larger containers of high-quality, professionally prepared soil. With larger quantities of soil, assuming the soil is correctly formulated, the cannabis roots have a larger volume of nutrients to draw from. This reduces the chance of later deficiencies.

To further complicate matters, plants can sometimes experience multiple deficiencies especially if they are growing in a low-quality grow medium. Of course, if the pH is out of range then ‘nutrient lockout’ can occur. This is where nutrients are available but unable to be absorbed. 

How to identify and treat plant nutrient deficiency

If you are unfortunate enough to have a sick plant with deficiencies it helps to get on top of the situation as quickly as possible. If a plant continues to suffer from deficiencies it will usually mean a severely compromised harvest. In the worst-case scenario, your plant may not survive. When a plant is in good health it is far more resistant to pests and diseases than a plant that is already compromised by poor health and poor nutrition.

Nitrogen deficiency in cannabis

Nitrogen (chemical symbol ‘N’) is regarded as a mobile macronutrient. Not only is Nitrogen an essential part of plant proteins it is vital for the healthy functioning of photosynthesis, especially in vegetative growth. 

Symptoms
Nitrogen deficiency can result in leaves looking pale, and eventually turning yellow, curling, and dropping off. Leaves nearer the base of the plant can be first displayed. Yellowing can progress up the plant. Leaf discoloration/browning can occur. Bloom may seem to be faster, with lower yields and fewer bud points. 

Nitrogen toxicity
If Nitrogen levels are too high leaves can show an unnaturally deep/dark hue. This can be fixed with a decrease in nutrients, or a quick flush of your plant container to remove the excess nutrients.

How to treat Nitrogen deficiency in cannabis
Many standard nutrients contain high levels of Nitrogen and are usually a quick fix. Fish-based nutrients are often rich in nitrogen-containing amines. Check that your nutrient pH is OK. Consider a light foliar feed spray with a nitrogen-rich nutrient, such as seaweed or fish-based foliar spray. Cannabis leaves can absorb small amounts of nutrients directly through the leaf surface. This makes foliar feeding a great option.

Phosphorus deficiency in cannabis

Just like Nitrogen, Phosphorus (chemical Symbol ‘P’) is a mobile macronutrient that is essential to plant health and growth. It is used in the formation of plant proteins, and plant DNA and is essential for proper photosynthesis to occur.

Symptoms
If you have ever seen dry leaves with areas of brown discoloration then you may have seen Phosphorus deficiency yourself. It may also cause red/purple collations (or dead spots) in the petioles (leaf stems). The leaves may subsequently take on a dark blue/green hue. If left unchecked, P deficiency slows vertical and horizontal growth significantly. Dark, blackish spots can appear on leaves. Leaves can curl and drop, possibly showing hints of a metallic purple or a dark bronze
appearance.

How to treat it
Keeping your pH nearer the acidic side (closer to pH 6) can help increase bio-availability. Adding a Phosphorus rich feed/fertilizer is recommended. Fish meal or worm castings are a good organic alternative. Ensure your temperatures are in range, cool temperatures seem to make it more difficult for effective Phosphorus uptake. Ensure you’re not over-watering. 

How to prevent it
Try to use a growing medium rich in Phosphorus. To make the soil easier to grow in and easier to use, try using a well-aerated grow container such as an airpot which will allow better soil oxygenation levels. Perhaps some manure (well rotted) in your compost will help. The use of beneficial mycorrhizal fungi will help with overall soil health. The microbes may also help convert less soluble phosphates into soluble forms which are easier for your cannabis plant to absorb and utilize.

Potassium deficiency in cannabis

Alongside Phosphorus and Nitrogen, Potassium (chemical symbol is ‘K’) is the other main mobile macronutrient used by the cannabis plant. Potassium is vital for the synthesis and transportation of sugars and simple carbohydrates.

Potassium is also required to enable transpiration/water uptake as well as root growth and cell division. Potassium is also vital for the production of Adenosine Triphosphate (‘ATP’) which is a measure of cellular energy.

Symptoms
You may see curling leaves as well as brown and yellow colors on leaf tips and leaf edges. Your plants may stretch more than normal with a Potassium deficiency.

How to treat it
Some growers like to flush their grow medium to ensure they are not dealing with other issues, such as overfeeding which can interfere with Potassium uptake. Chicken manure as a top dressing to your grow medium can help, as can a Potassium-rich nutrient feed or foliar feed. Organic seaweed is particularly useful as a foliar feed.

Magnesium deficiency in cannabis

Magnesium (chemical symbol ‘Mg’) is an immobile micronutrient. It is essential for photosynthesis and is used to make the vital chlorophyll pigment. Without Magnesium, chlorophyll and photosynthesis simply can’t happen.

Symptoms
As an immobile nutrient, any deficiencies tend to be seen in the new growth of leaves. The leaves start to show yellow spots which eventually turn brown causing leaves to die. Areas between the veins of older leaves turn yellow (interveinal chlorosis) and may also show rust-colored spots. If left untreated, Magnesium deficiency can seriously diminish a plant’s ability to produce any type of harvest.

How to treat it
If pH is outside the desired range, flush your grow medium with water (preferably at pH 6 or thereabouts). Epsom salts are often used to fix the problem. Try adding a teaspoon of Epsom salts to a liter of water and seeing how your plants respond to a feed. Some people benefit from water with naturally high levels of Magnesium. Try doing a google search for water analysis where you live. In many countries, water analysis has to be legally available, showing you the precise levels of trace minerals that you can typically expect to be present. But remember, water composition and pH can vary at different times of the year.

How to prevent Magnesium deficiency
As with all cannabis deficiencies, prevention is better than cure. By the time you see the signs of a Magnesium deficiency your plant may already have been feeling the effects for a month or so. Use good quality compost, large containers will contain more grow nutrients than small containers. You may wish to include some powdered dolomite limestone mixed into your grow medium. This is Magnesium-rich and slowly breaks down releasing Magnesium for the roots to uptake. Specialist Calcium/Magnesium-rich nutrients can also be bought in grow shops.

Calcium deficiency in cannabis

Calcium (chemical symbol ‘Ca’) is an immobile micronutrient, but one that has an essential role in the plant structure. Calcium helps fortify the cell walls. A Calcium deficiency can therefore result in warped structure/lack of structure to new growth. Calcium also helps the flow of Nitrogen and sugars through the plant.

Symptoms
Leaves, especially lower ones can curl and take on unusual shapes. You may also observe yellow/brown spots. These can have brown borders and will grow over time as the problem continues. Root health is also damaged by Calcium deficiency, root tips will slowly die. The result is a stunted plant that will struggle to recover in the worst cases. Don’t confuse a Calcium deficiency with environment issues out of range VPD.

How to treat it
A Calcium/Magnesium nutrient supplement is a fast and direct solution. Ensure your feed pH hasn’t become too alkaline and is in range. If you don’t have a Ca/Mg supplement, you can try adding a teaspoon of hydrated lime to around 4 liters of water and using this as a feed. A good way to prevent Calcium deficiency (prevention is always better than cure) is to add some powdered dolomite lime to your grow medium.

Boron deficiency in cannabis

Boron (chemical symbol ‘B’) is used together with Calcium to ensure healthy cell walls and effective cell division. Boron is an immobile macronutrient. It is required in small amounts, so it is one of the less common cannabis nutrient deficiencies to see. Most good quality soils/compost contain sufficient Boron.

Symptoms
A lack of Boron will produce a plant that looks like it’s wilting, the technical term is lack of turgor. Vegetative growth will be poor, new growth can appear twisted. The leaves can show a yellow/brownish discoloration.

How to treat it
Flush the grow medium and add some extra Boron. This is done by adding a teaspoon of Boric acid to 3-4 liters of water and feeding it to your plant.

Copper deficiency in cannabis

Copper (chemical symbol ‘Cu’) is a macronutrient that is semi-mobile. It helps the plant utilize Nitrogen as well as assists in the metabolism of carbohydrates. It’s unusual to see genuine cases of copper deficiency, most grow mediums and feeds have sufficient Copper for the plant requirements.

Symptoms
You will see slow wilting occurring. New growth can appear to twist and turn as it grows.

How to treat it
Treating deficiencies of mobile macronutrients such as Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium are more straightforward than treating more complicated deficiencies involving micronutrients of heavier metals such as Molybdenum, Iron, and Copper, etc. Getting the correct dosing required, and the correct form of the mineral isn’t easy.

Who wants to be dosing their cannabis plants with heavy metals when they plan to be smoking the weed a few weeks later? Prevention of these deficiencies is the only real way to go.

Iron deficiency in cannabis

Iron (chemical symbol ‘Fe’) is a semi-mobile macronutrient. It is necessary for the use of nitrates (Nitrogen-containing) and sulfate (Sulphur containing) compounds. Iron is also required for the production of chlorophyll. Iron deficiencies can occur if pH is out of range. It can also be caused by excess Zinc, Manganese, or Copper. All of these can interfere with iron uptake. Iron is an important mineral for processes involved in general metabolic and energy-forming processes.

Symptoms
Symptoms of Iron deficiency can initially appear in new plant growth. Interveinal chlorosis can appear at the base of new leaves. After this, the same symptoms can be seen through the leaves and older growth. Overall yellowing between the leaf veins is a good indicator of Iron deficiency.

Manganese deficiency in cannabis

Manganese (‘Mn’) is an immobile micronutrient. It helps with several important cell functions including nitrogen use, respiration, and photosynthesis. Root cell growth is aided by Manganese, which also protects roots from less useful/bad microbes. It’s unusual to see genuine cases of Manganese deficiency. Often it is related to excess Iron or high pH.

Symptoms
Just like other immobile nutrient deficiencies, Manganese deficiency tends to show up as pale discoloration (chlorosis) near the base of new plant growth. This can eventually spread out to affect the tips of leaves and brown (necrotic) spots start to appear, eventually on older leaves. The leaf margins and veins can appear green while the interveinal areas can start to yellow.

Molybdenum deficiency in cannabis

Molybdenum (chemical symbol ‘Mo’) is a mobile micronutrient. It is essential for the correct function of two important enzyme systems which convert nitrates to ammonium compounds (for the amino acid formation and subsequent plant protein production). Again, genuine deficiencies are rare and difficult to correct.

Symptoms
Genuine deficiencies are scarce, they can be exacerbated by cold weather. You may see a yellowing of older leaves which may also show interveinal chlorosis. The leaves may ‘cup’ and curl upwards before twisting and dying.

Silicon deficiency in cannabis

Silicon is an immobile micronutrient that has attracted a lot of attention in recent years. Genuine cases of Silicon deficiency are uncommon. It’s a mineral that strengthens cellular walls, allowing sturdy growth and strong plants.

Specialist liquid Silicon feeds are available, though most growers use them in the hope of stronger plants rather than for trying to fix a deficiency.

Sulfur deficiency in cannabis

Sulfur (or Sulfur) is a critical immobile micronutrient. It’s used for vital enzymes and proteins. Sulfur is essential to plant respiration as well as for the synthesis and breakdown of fatty acids. It also plays an important role in the synthesis of oils and terpenes. Deficiencies of Sulphur may be caused by the loss of Phosphorous (due to a high pH level) in the root zone.

Symptoms
It’s uncommon to see a Sulfur deficiency, but if you have it you may see young leaves turning lime green before turning yellow. You may observe stunted growth followed by the gradual yellowing of leaf veins. The leaves may also be dry and brittle. Continued deficiency results in lowered potency and inferior yields.

Zinc deficiency in cannabis

Zinc (chemical symbols Zn) is a metallic immobile micronutrient. It’s important for the production of sugar and protein. Zinc is also used to make chlorophyll as well as for healthy stem growth. Deficiencies can be seen especially where alkaline soils and dry climates are present. It may also be the result of acidic pH levels. Zinc is only required in small quantities, but it is vital for the formation of cell membranes, proteins, and plant growth hormones.

Symptoms
The most common signs of zinc deficiencies are new leaves and new plant growth tend to show inter-veinal chlorosis. The blades of the cannabis leaf may look wrinkled, yellow, and distorted. The leaf tips will discolor (yellow) and may show a brown burn at the tips. The leaves may rotate 90º sideways.

Diagnosing common cannabis plant problems

The problem with emerging plant health issues is that they can be easily confused and misidentified. Many plant nutrient deficiencies, for example, involve the leaves yellowing in one way or another. Misdiagnosing the problem may well leave the problem unfixed – the plant continues to struggle, suffer stunted growth, and may even develop new issues as a result of the incorrect treatment provided.

Simply overwatering your plant and leaving it in a cold room may also result in yellowing/browning leaves. This could be misidentified as a deficiency of nutrients/minerals.

The experienced grower tends to avoid cannabis deficiencies by preparing for the grow with the right conditions, a consistent grow medium and reliable nutrients.

A grower that regularly experiences nutrient deficiencies when growing in 5-liter soil containers might find that switching to a larger grow container of around 20 liters helps. The cannabis roots have a larger reserve of nutrients to use, this allows them to develop a larger and stronger root network and build a larger plant with less risk of deficiencies. Another useful tip might be to use some slow-release organic nutrients which will gradually replenish the soil health. BioTabs offer some highly recommended slow-release organic nutrients which produce great results and should prevent the risk of nutrient deficiencies. 

Growers using hydroponic systems may find that refreshing their nutrient solutions more frequently reduces the risk of their tank running low on an important nutrient.

How to keep cannabis plants healthy – prevent nutrient deficiencies

Nutrient management is one of the key skills for any successful cannabis grower. Finding a growing method/system that works consistently well for you is one of the basics of cannabis growing. Likewise, finding a nutrient line you understand as well as how your plant uptake those particular nutrients is vital. Fortunately, the vast majority of growers find that growing cannabis is easy. After all, it’s called weed for good reasons. The amazing cannabis plant can be grown successfully in a wide range of growing medium and grow systems.

You can grow weed indoors, in a greenhouse, or outdoors. If you use nutrients from any of the larger, established, suppliers you should get good results. Many nutrient companies have been selling proven nutrients for many years with solid, consistent results. If you have a good local grow shop you should find plenty of qualified help. Of course one can’t get too arrogant, as every cultivar consumes water and nutrients at a different rate, so even with a ‘perfect diet’, your plants could still suffer from slight nutrient deficiencies no matter how careful or ‘perfect’ a grow you are.

Original research and images by Dutch Passion.