What Kinds of Vitamins Do Plants Need?
By Tamara Christine Van Hooser Updated December 10, 2018
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Most plant nutrition comes freely from the carbon, hydrogen and oxygen in the air and water. Fertilizer and organic matter worked into the soil provide the remainder of the nutrients, if soil conditions require a boost to help the plants thrive. The kinds of nutrients that plants need differ from humans; however, some research indicates that plants may derive specific benefits from the application of vitamin B, vitamin C and vitamin E.
Basic Plant Nutrition
The macronutrients nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium wash out of the soil over time requiring soil enrichment with fertilizer to restore the balance and help plants attain their best growth potential. Different plants have different preferences regarding optimal levels of these nutrients, particularly in regards to nitrogen. For example, too much nitrogen will stunt tomato production while spinach and broccoli feed heavily on this nutrient and require high levels to grow well. Calcium, magnesium and sulfur are rarely low enough to cause concern but if the soil is missing these key ingredients, they can also be added as soil amendments. The micronutrients boron, manganese, copper, zinc, chlorine, nickel, cobalt and molybdenum are required in such minute amounts for plant growth that lack is not particularly a problem. The best way to ensure a good supply of these plant vitamins is to feed your soil with manure or other organic material.
The University of California, Davis reports that there is no basis to the claim that vitamin B-1 benefits plants by stimulating root growth or reducing transplant shock as many advertisements claim. By contrast, Advanced Nutrients' researchers assert that application of B vitamin supplements produces stronger plants with a higher yield than those without the treatment. More research is needed to establish the connection, if any, between plant growth and vitamin B.
University of California, Riverside biochemistry professor, Daniel Gallie indicates that vitamin C appears to increase a plant's smog tolerance, improve the process of photosynthesis and make the fruit more nutritious. His findings report that vitamin C supplementation acts as a protection against the ozone, the most damaging part of smog, decreasing brown spots, avoiding stunted growth and raising crop yields. He cautions that more research is needed in this area, however.
Phys.org reports a study from the University of Toronto and Michigan State University that indicates vitamin E supplements decrease a plant's susceptibility to cold temperatures. The result could be the development of cold-resistant plant species, which would benefit gardeners in cooler climates by producing better crops and yield. Cool-weather gardeners can experiment with how applying vitamin E to developing plants affects the longevity or growth of their crops.
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution: Growing Marine Plants Need Their Vitamins
Cornell University: Scientists Read the Leaves: House Plants Show Importance of Vitamin C
Tamara Christine has written more than 900 articles for a variety of clients since 2010. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in applied linguistics and an elementary teaching license. Additionally, she completed a course in digital journalism in 2014. She has more than 10 years experience teaching and gardening.
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2 Do Angel Trumpet Plants Like Lime in the Soil?
3 Difference in Complete & Balanced Fertilizers
4 What Happens if the pH in My Plant Food Is Too High?