Dyna-Gro Foliage-Pro – 1 Gallon

Dyna-Gro Foliage-Pro 9-3-6 is a complete, urea-free liquid nutrient concentrate that delivers all 16 essential minerals in a single bottle — no Cal-Mag supplement, no multi-part mixing. Developed over ten years of field and laboratory testing and formulated to the 3-1-2 N-P-K ratio recommended by the Apopka Research Center in Florida, it is trusted for tropical foliage, houseplants, greenhouse production, and cannabis vegetative growth in any medium.

Dyna-Gro Foliage-Pro Specifications

Foliage-Pro ships as a 1-gallon (128 fl oz) liquid concentrate. Its analysis covers 6 macronutrients and 10 micronutrients for a total of 16 essential minerals. The table below covers the key physical and chemical specifications growers should reference before purchasing or building a feed program.

Specification	Value
NPK Analysis	9-3-6
N-P-K Relative Ratio	3-1-2 (Apopka Research Center recommendation)
Total Nitrogen (N)	9.0% (2.9% ammoniacal, 6.1% nitrate)
Available Phosphate (P&sub2;O&sub5;)	3.0%
Soluble Potash (K&sub2;O)	6.0%
Calcium (Ca)	2.0%
Magnesium (Mg)	0.5%
Ca:Mg Ratio	4:1 (eliminates need for separate Cal-Mag supplement)
Iron (Fe)	0.1%
Manganese, Copper, Zinc, Molybdenum	0.05% each
Boron (B)	0.01%
Form	Liquid concentrate
Size / Volume	1 gallon (128 fl oz)
Weight	11.0 lb
Urea-Free	Yes — all Dyna-Gro formulas are urea-free
UPC	080359061006
SKU	DYFOL100
Brand	Dyna-Gro (now part of SUPERthrive / Ferry-Morse)

Why Choose Dyna-Gro Foliage-Pro

Most plant nutrient programs require growers to juggle multiple bottles: a grow formula, a bloom formula, a Cal-Mag supplement, and often a micronutrient package. Foliage-Pro was engineered to eliminate that complexity without sacrificing completeness. Its core proposition is that all 16 minerals essential for plant growth are present in one bottle, measured and calibrated so the ratios are right across every stage of vegetative growth.

• All 16 essential minerals in a single concentrate. Foliage-Pro includes all six macronutrients (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S) and all ten essential micronutrients (B, Cl, Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Ni, Na, Zn). Growers running this product alone do not need to source a separate Cal-Mag supplement, separate iron chelate, or separate micronutrient blend. Every element is present and in immediately plant-available form.
• 4:1 Ca:Mg ratio engineered into the formula. Calcium deficiency and magnesium deficiency are among the most common nutrient problems in indoor and greenhouse growing, particularly in coco coir and hydroponic systems that strip out calcium. Foliage-Pro’s Ca:Mg ratio of 4:1 (2.0% Ca, 0.5% Mg) is set at the level most foliage crops require, eliminating the guesswork that comes with adding separate Cal-Mag on the side.
• Urea-free formulation prevents salt buildup. Urea-based nitrogen sources release ammonium through hydrolysis, which can accumulate as salts in the root zone over time, raising EC and stressing plants in continuous-use programs. Because Foliage-Pro uses only ammoniacal and nitrate nitrogen sources, the salt-buildup mechanism associated with urea is absent. This is the key reason it is suitable for a continuous-use “every watering” program rather than periodic feeding only.
• 3-1-2 ratio recommended by the Apopka Research Center. The University of Florida’s Apopka Research Center — one of the leading institutions for foliage plant research — identified the 3-1-2 N-P-K ratio as optimal for tropical foliage production and interior scape maintenance. Foliage-Pro’s 9-3-6 analysis is a direct implementation of this ratio, making it a research-backed choice rather than a marketing claim.
• Endorsed by the American Rose Society and the University of Florida. Beyond its use in interior scapes, Foliage-Pro has received recognition from the American Rose Society and the University of Florida for performance across a range of crops. Growers cultivating roses, ornamentals, and specialty crops can reference these endorsements as independent validation of the formula’s effectiveness.
• Outperforms alternatives in low-light conditions. Interior scape environments, grow rooms during early vegetative stages, and windowsill or shade-grown houseplants all present low-light challenges that increase the sensitivity of plants to nutritional imbalances. Dyna-Gro specifically highlights Foliage-Pro’s performance in low-light environments, and professional interior scape contractors have adopted it widely for exactly this reason.
• Ten years of field and laboratory development. The formula was not developed quickly or in response to a marketing trend. Dyna-Gro invested a decade of field and laboratory testing before releasing Foliage-Pro commercially. This history means the nutrient ratios have been validated across crop types, growing conditions, and multiple growing media rather than being extrapolated from theory alone.
• Works in any growing medium without reformulation. Whether you are growing in peat-based potting mix, coco coir, expanded clay pebbles (LECA / semi-hydroponic), rockwool, deep water culture, ebb-and-flow, nutrient film technique, or bare soil, Foliage-Pro works without adjusting the formula. The concentrate is fully water-soluble and suitable for foliar application as well as root drench.

Best Uses for Dyna-Gro Foliage-Pro

Foliage-Pro is optimized for vegetative and foliage-dominant growth phases. It is used as a primary base nutrient by growers who want a single-product program, and as a vegetative-phase feed by growers who switch to a bloom-oriented formula during flower. The following use cases represent where this product delivers maximum value.

• Tropical foliage and interior scape plants. This is the product’s original and primary use case. Plants like Ficus, Dracaena, Pothos, Philodendron, Monstera, Snake Plant, and Peace Lily are all continuous foliage producers. Foliage-Pro’s low-phosphorus, high-nitrogen formula prevents the excessive phosphorus loading that can trigger premature flowering or disrupt the controlled growth pattern preferred in commercial interior scaping. Using it at the maintenance rate of ½ tsp per gallon at every watering eliminates deficiency risk while keeping growth at a manageable pace.
• General houseplant and container plant feeding. For growers maintaining a diverse collection of indoor plants in pots, the single-formula simplicity of Foliage-Pro removes the need to maintain separate products for different species. One concentrate handles tropicals, succulents grown in moderate-light conditions, ferns, and most ornamental foliage plants. This makes it especially practical for plant shops, botanical gardens, and serious home collectors who do not want to maintain a full nutrient stack.
• Greenhouse foliage production. Commercial greenhouse operations benefit from both the formula’s proven field performance and its compatibility with fertilizer injectors. At the production rate of 1 tsp per gallon per week, yields are enhanced across foliage crops without the risk of urea-induced salt accumulation that can appear when lesser products are used on a fixed injection schedule.
• Cannabis vegetative growth. Foliage-Pro is widely used by cannabis cultivators as a primary vegetative-stage nutrient, both in soil and in hydroponic systems. The 9-3-6 ratio provides the nitrogen load that vegetatively growing cannabis requires while keeping phosphorus low enough to avoid lockout interactions with other amendments. Many cannabis growers use Foliage-Pro throughout the vegetative phase, then transition to a bloom-oriented product when the plant switches to reproductive growth. Pairing with a root inoculant such as Advanced Nutrients Tarantula during the early vegetative phase can enhance root colonization and nutrient uptake efficiency.
• Hydroponic and semi-hydroponic systems (all types). For deep water culture, ebb-and-flow, NFT, drip, and semi-hydroponic (LECA) systems, Foliage-Pro’s fully dissolved ion delivery means there are no chelate residues or organic particles to clog emitters, foul reservoirs, or disrupt EC readings. At 2–3 tsp per gallon for recirculating systems, it provides a complete nutrient base without requiring additional Cal-Mag supplementation — a meaningful advantage for growers managing reservoir chemistry in closed-loop systems.
• Rose cultivation. The American Rose Society’s endorsement reflects the product’s effectiveness for roses, which have high nitrogen demand during vegetative and bud-development phases. Growers applying it at 1 tsp per gallon once per week during the growing season report healthy cane development and robust foliage without the tip-burn or legginess that can result from excessive phosphorus or urea-based nitrogen.
• Low-light environment plant care. For plants growing in offices, north-facing rooms, and other low-light environments, Foliage-Pro’s tested performance in low-light conditions is a direct product feature. Under reduced light intensity, plants’ uptake rates for all nutrients slow, making a well-balanced, urea-free formula less likely to create salt-accumulation problems over the longer intervals between feedings that low-light plants typically require.

Dyna-Gro Foliage-Pro vs Dyna-Gro Grow 7-9-5

Dyna-Gro offers two primary complete-nutrition liquid concentrates: Foliage-Pro (9-3-6) and Grow (7-9-5). Both contain all 16 essential minerals and are urea-free. Growers new to the Dyna-Gro lineup frequently ask which product to use, particularly for cannabis or multi-purpose plant collections. The distinction comes down to the N-P-K ratio and what growth stage it is optimized for.

Foliage-Pro 9-3-6 is built around the 3-1-2 ratio: nitrogen-dominant, phosphorus low, potassium in a supporting role. This ratio is specifically calibrated for vegetative growth and continuous foliage production. High nitrogen drives leaf area expansion, protein synthesis, and chlorophyll production. Low phosphorus prevents premature reproductive signaling, which matters for plants where flowering is either not desired or should be tightly timed. For interior scapes, houseplants, and cannabis in the vegetative phase, this ratio maintains controlled, dark-green vegetative growth.

Grow 7-9-5 shifts the ratio to emphasize phosphorus: at 7-9-5, phosphorus is actually higher than nitrogen, which is more typical of a flowering or fruiting-support formula. Some growers use Grow during bloom transition or in the early weeks of flower because the elevated phosphorus supports root development and early flower site initiation. For growers who want a product that works across both vegetative and bloom phases without switching formulas, Grow offers a middle-ground ratio, although it is not as strongly vegetative as Foliage-Pro.

Practical guidance: For growers whose primary goal is foliage quality, houseplant maintenance, or cannabis vegetative growth, Foliage-Pro is the correct Dyna-Gro product. For growers seeking a single Dyna-Gro formula that spans from seedling through flower without switching, Grow is designed for that role. Many cannabis cultivators use Foliage-Pro during the entire vegetative phase and then switch to a bloom-specific product (either Grow or a different bloom formula) once flowering is triggered. General Hydroponics FloraNova Grow is a comparable one-part liquid nutrient from a competing brand; Foliage-Pro differentiates by being urea-free and including a built-in Ca:Mg ratio that eliminates the need for a separate Cal-Mag supplement — a common addition when running FloraNova Grow in coco or hydro.

Compatibility & Operating Range

Foliage-Pro is designed to be broadly compatible across growing media, system types, and companion products. Because all 16 minerals are already included in the concentrate, the most common compatibility question is whether additional supplements are necessary — and in most cases, they are not required for baseline plant health.

Growing media compatibility: Foliage-Pro works in potting soil, soilless mixes (peat, bark, perlite), coco coir, expanded clay (LECA), rockwool, perlite alone, and all hydroponic system types including deep water culture, ebb-and-flow, nutrient film technique, aeroponics, and drip irrigation. No media-specific reformulation is needed.

pH target range: For hydroponic systems, maintain reservoir pH at 5.5–6.2. For soil and soilless media, a pH of 6.0–6.8 is appropriate. In semi-hydroponic (LECA) applications, target 5.8–6.3 in the reservoir. Always pH-adjust the final nutrient solution after all products have been mixed. Foliage-Pro’s fully ionic delivery is most efficient within these pH windows; outside them, individual mineral ions can precipitate or become plant-unavailable.

EC / TDS considerations: At the maintenance rate (½ tsp/gal), EC contribution is low and suitable for sensitive plants or seedlings. At the hydroponic rate (2–3 tsp/gal), EC will rise meaningfully; calibrate with an EC meter and adjust based on plant response and runoff EC measurements. Growers using reverse osmosis water start from a near-zero baseline and can apply the published rates directly. Growers using mineral-heavy tap water should reduce starting dose slightly to avoid over-fertilization.

Companion product compatibility: Because Foliage-Pro already includes calcium, magnesium, and all essential micronutrients, adding a separate Cal-Mag product is redundant and may cause imbalances if done at full dose. Beneficial microorganism products (mycorrhizal inoculants, bacterial root colonizers) are generally compatible; adding a root inoculant like Heavy 16 Roots alongside Foliage-Pro supports root mass development without interfering with the nutrient profile. Organic bloom boosters such as Earth Juice Hi-Brix Molasses can be added during late vegetative or early flower transition for growers who want a carbohydrate feed alongside their mineral nutrition program. pH adjusters (pH up/down), silica supplements, and enzyme products are compatible with Foliage-Pro in standard practice.

Foliar application: Foliage-Pro can be applied as a foliar spray at ¼–½ tsp per gallon of water. Foliar feeding bypasses root-zone pH and EC constraints, making it useful for addressing visible deficiencies quickly or for feeding plants in stressed root environments. Apply during lights-off periods or in early morning to avoid leaf burn from lighting combined with wet foliage. Do not spray plants that are already heat-stressed or in direct midday sun.

Usage Guidelines

Foliage-Pro publishes clearly defined application rates for each use case. Because it is a urea-free, continuous-use formula, it is designed to be used at every watering rather than alternating with plain water (though plain-water flushes are still recommended periodically to prevent salt accumulation in closed media). All rates below are per gallon of water.

Use Case	Rate	Frequency
Maintenance (interior scape, houseplants)	½ tsp/gal	Every watering
Production (greenhouse, commercial)	1 tsp/gal	Weekly
Monthly feeding (soil, occasional)	2–3 tsp/gal	Monthly
Foliar spray	¼–½ tsp/gal	As needed
Hydroponics, recirculating	2–3 tsp/gal	Per reservoir fill
Hydroponics, non-recirculating (run-to-waste)	1–2 tsp/gal	Per feeding event
Irrigation injector (1:100 ratio)	10–18 fl oz per gallon of stock solution	Continuous injection

Rate selection guidance:

• Start at the lower rate when using Foliage-Pro for the first time with a new cultivar or in a new growing environment. Young seedlings, rooted cuttings, and stress-recovering plants should start at ½ tsp/gal or below until the root system is established. Push rates up only after the plant shows healthy new growth.
• Recirculating hydroponics requires closer monitoring. In a closed-loop system, nutrients accumulate between top-offs. Test reservoir EC before every top-off and after every full reservoir change. At 2–3 tsp/gal, Foliage-Pro will raise EC meaningfully; dial in based on target EC for the growth stage rather than following a fixed volume dose blindly.
• Flush periodically in soil and coco. Even with a urea-free formula, dissolved minerals accumulate in the root zone over time, particularly if irrigation is less than 100% runoff. A plain-water flush every 2–4 weeks reduces baseline EC in the medium and prevents lockout conditions from gradual salt buildup.
• Foliar spray timing matters. Apply foliar sprays during lights-off or in the cooler, lower-light parts of the day. Wet foliage under intense lighting (especially HID or high-intensity LED) can cause leaf burn. Allow foliage to dry before the next light period if applying just before lights-off.

How to Mix and Apply Dyna-Gro Foliage-Pro

Foliage-Pro is a concentrated liquid that must be diluted before application. It should never be applied undiluted to roots or foliage. The following steps apply to both hydroponic reservoir preparation and soil/coco irrigation water preparation.

1. Gather your equipment. You will need a calibrated measuring syringe or teaspoon, a clean mixing container or reservoir, a pH meter, and an EC/TDS meter. Accurate measurement is important because Foliage-Pro is a complete formula — over-dosing shifts EC and can cause tip burn or other excess-nutrient symptoms.
2. Start with clean water. Fill your mixing container with water at 65–72°F (18–22°C). If using reverse osmosis water, confirm starting EC is below 0.1 mS/cm. If using tap water, note its baseline EC and mineral content (especially calcium and magnesium from source water) before adjusting dose. Foliage-Pro already delivers Ca and Mg, so high-mineral tap water may allow you to use a slightly lower dose.
3. Shake the bottle before measuring. Shake or invert the gallon jug several times before each use to ensure uniform distribution of the liquid concentrate. Liquid nutrient concentrates can develop stratification during storage, particularly in cooler temperatures.
4. Measure and add the concentrate. Using a clean syringe or teaspoon, measure the appropriate dose for your use case (see the Usage Guidelines table above). Pour the concentrate into the water — not the other way around. This ensures the concentrate is immediately diluted as it enters the water rather than sitting at high concentration on the container bottom.
5. Stir or agitate thoroughly. After adding Foliage-Pro, stir the solution for 15–30 seconds or run a pump/recirculation if filling a reservoir. The product mixes readily into water; no extended agitation is needed.
6. Add any additional supplements. If you are adding other compatible products (silica, beneficial microbes, organic carbohydrate additives), add them one at a time after Foliage-Pro is fully dissolved, stirring between each addition. Do not combine multiple concentrates directly without diluting each into water first.
7. Check and adjust pH. After all nutrients are mixed, test pH with a calibrated meter. Adjust to the appropriate range for your growing medium: 5.5–6.2 for hydroponics or 6.0–6.8 for soil and coco. Use pH up or pH down in small increments, stirring between additions, to avoid overshooting. pH should be checked after every nutrient solution preparation, not assumed to be stable.
8. Verify EC. After pH adjustment, check EC with a calibrated meter. Compare against your target EC range for the growth stage and plant type. If EC is above target, dilute with additional water and recheck. If below target, add a small increment of nutrient and recheck.
9. Apply to plants or fill reservoir. For soil and coco applications, water until you see 10–20% runoff from the bottom of the container. This ensures the nutrient solution saturates the root zone and flushes accumulated salts from the bottom. For hydroponic reservoirs, fill to the operating level and turn on the recirculation pump. Monitor solution level and EC over the following 24 hours.
10. Clean your measuring tools. Rinse syringes and measuring spoons with clean water after each use to prevent cross-contamination and maintain accurate measurements for future feedings. Store Foliage-Pro in a cool location away from direct sunlight and freezing temperatures.

For foliar application: Mix ¼–½ tsp per gallon of clean water, adjust pH to 6.0–6.5, and apply with a clean pump sprayer to both the upper and lower leaf surfaces. Apply until the point of runoff from the leaves. Use during lights-off or in early morning to minimize leaf burn risk. Foliar applications are most effective when leaves are cleaned of dust and debris beforehand.

Sources & Further Reading