What is a biostimulant?
The term "biostimulant" refers to a substance or microorganism that can be applied to seeds, plants, or the rhizosphere to stimulate nutritional processes. This stimulation can enhance nutrient uptake, improve nutrient use efficiency, increase tolerance to abiotic stress, and ultimately improve crop quality and yield.
Biostimulants are substances that can help improve plant growth and development. Unlike fertilizers, biostimulants do not provide nutrients directly to the plant. Instead, they work by enhancing the plant's natural processes.
As a legendary grower (to be), we get that you’re always looking to take your plant care to the next level. That's why we’ve developed the first official biostimulant on the market: Power Buds. And we didn’t stop there. Our latest innovation? NextGen Rooting Gel boosts early root development the natural way.
How do biostimulants work?
Biostimulants work by stimulating nutritional processes in the plant and soil, which enhances plant growth and health. Here are some ways biostimulants can benefit your grow:
Improving nutrient uptake: biostimulants can enhance the plant's ability to absorb nutrients by improving the soil structure, increasing the availability of nutrients, and stimulating the plant's root system.
Enhancing stress tolerance: biostimulants can help plants tolerate abiotic stress such as drought, extreme temperature and the content of salt by improving their physiological processes.
Quality traits: biostimulants can improve quality traits of your plant such as number of flowers, length of roots, increased biomass and yield and stronger smell and taste.
Availability of confined nutrients in soil or rhizosphere (soil region around plant roots): biostimulants can enlarge the availability of microorganisms, phosphor and nitrogen.
What are the benefits of using a biostimulant for growing?
There are numerous benefits of using biostimulants for growing:
Sustainable: biostimulants can improve soil health and fertility over time, making them a sustainable solution for long-term plant growth.
Improved plant quality: biostimulants can improve the overall quality of plants, including their color, size, and taste.
Increased yield: biostimulants can increase the yield of crops by improving their growth and development, leading to more significant harvests.
Is a biostimulant the same as a Plant Growth Regulator?
Biostimulants are often mistaked for plant growth regulators, but the truth is that these two are entirely different substances with different modes of action. A Plant Growth Regulator (PGR) is a synthetic substance that is designed to regulate plant growth and development by interfering with plant hormones. PGRs can be used to promote or inhibit certain plant growth processes, such as increasing flower production, delaying senescence, or promoting fruit ripening.
While both biostimulants and PGRs can be used to enhance plant growth and development, they work through different mechanisms. Biostimulants work by enhancing natural processes in the plant and soil, while PGRs work by altering plant hormones and disrupting natural processes.
The ingredients of for instance Power Buds and NextGen Rooting Gel are biodegradable and therefore will not settle in your yield.
Evidence first: Proving that the product works
Before a biostimulant can be placed on the market, its effects must be demonstrated through independent, scientifically designed trials. These trials test whether the product actually delivers the benefits it claims, like increased bud formation or a more extensive root system.
This is why every claim you see on our labels is backed by real data.
Power Buds has been tested to confirm that it increases bud formation and speeds up flowering.
NextGen Rooting Gel has undergone targeted trials on cuttings, proving that it promotes a more extensive and developed root system.
If we say it, we’ve proven it. That’s how we ensure growers can trust our products to deliver the kind of results that help them grow legendary.
Safety and Quality Are Non‑Negotiable
Beyond performance, the regulation also requires manufacturers to show that the product is safe for plants, people, and the environment. This includes strict checks on ingredients, production processes, and product consistency. Every step must meet EU standards before the product can be approved.
A Transparent and Traceable Process
Once all evidence is collected, the product undergoes a formal conformity assessment by an independent Notified Body. Only after passing this assessment can the product be legally marketed as an EU‑certified biostimulant.
This process ensures that when you choose a certified biostimulant, you’re choosing a solution backed by science, verified by experts, and designed to help you achieve legendary results.
How do you recognize a certified biostimulant?
Under EU Regulation (FPR) 2019/1009, only products that meet strict legal requirements may be marketed as biostimulants. You can easily recognize an officially certified biostimulant by checking these three elements on the product label:
CE mark → The CE mark shows that the product meets the EU’s health, safety and environmental standards and has successfully passed the required conformity assessment procedure. With the CE mark, the product can be legally marketed throughout the European Economic Area.
EU declaration of conformity → Every certified biostimulant must have an EU Declaration of Conformity. This document confirms that the product has been assessed by a Notified Body and complies with all applicable EU requirements. The declaration (or a reference to it) must always be available with the product. On our labels, you can access it directly via the QR code.
PFC 6 classification → The label must state the Product Function Category (PFC). For biostimulants, this is PFC 6. On our products, you will find PFC 6B – Non-microbial plant biostimulant clearly mentioned on the label.
Many products on the market are called “biostimulants” without meeting the legal definition. With these three “hacks”, you can be confident that you are using a product that is officially certified and compliant with EU legislation.
Hopefully, your knowledge on biostimulants has now been updated a bit. Plagron, at your service!