LGND BioPlant Primary Sticks™

Legend BioPlant Primary Sticks™ are substrate fertiliser sticks designed to give aquatic plants a strong start and long-term root-zone nutrition. Placed directly into the gravel, they deliver essential minerals and trace elements where plants absorb them best—at the roots—supporting vigorous growth, stronger root systems, and healthier new leaves from the first weeks after planting.

The nutrients are released gradually in the substrate, helping create a fertile base layer without unnecessarily enriching the water column. This targeted approach supports stable plant development and helps limit the conditions that can encourage nuisance algae during the early stages of a planted aquarium.

Legend BioPlant Primary Sticks™ are suitable for freshwater planted aquariums and are especially beneficial for heavy root feeders.

Legend BioPlant Primary Sticks™ are recommended whenever plants require reliable root feeding—particularly at setup, after replanting, or when substrate nutrients are depleted. Use them as a targeted fertiliser base for freshwater aquariums with natural plants.

Placement Area Impact

Placement

Legend BioPlant Primary Sticks™ can be applied by placing the sticks directly on the bottom of the aquarium, or by mixing an appropriate amount of Legend BioPlant Primary Sticks™ with 2/3 of the substrate and covering with the remaining substrate afterwards. For subsequent dosing, a few sticks simply need to be pressed into the gravel.

For old set up insert the sticks directly into the gravel/substrate, as close as possible to plant roots, then cover fully. For best performance, place them deep enough that they remain in the root zone and do not resurface during maintenance.

Root feeder focus: They are particularly effective under and around plants that feed primarily through roots, such as Echinodorus, Cryptocoryne, Vallisneria, and Sagittaria.

Spot feeding: For larger plants, use several insertion points around the plant base (not only under the crown) to reach the active feeder roots.

Special considerations

Root sticks mainly benefit plants that draw nutrients from the substrate. For rhizome plants and stems that take a larger share of nutrients from the water column, combine root feeding with an appropriate liquid fertiliser routine.

Area

Use the sticks in the planted areas of the aquarium substrate—especially in zones with nutrient-hungry root feeders. In mixed layouts, prioritise heavy feeders first, then support surrounding plants as needed.

Even distribution: In planted carpets or dense plant groupings, insert sticks at regular intervals so that nutrients are available across the whole root field rather than concentrated in a single point.

Substrate type: Particularly helpful in inert gravel/sand where natural nutrient content is low, and after major substrate clean-outs or rescapes that reduce available root nutrition.

Impact

Legend BioPlant Primary Sticks™ provide sustained root-zone nourishment that supports stable, healthy plant growth. Their primary effects in a planted freshwater aquarium include:

Stronger roots and faster establishment

Concentrated nutrition in the substrate promotes robust root development, helping newly planted specimens anchor and adapt more quickly.

Healthier new leaves and improved colour

Trace elements and minerals support chlorophyll formation and balanced growth, reducing common deficiency symptoms such as pale new leaves or stunted development.

Targeted feeding with reduced water-column loading

Because nutrients are placed where roots absorb them, less fertiliser is present in the water column—supporting clearer water stability and helping minimise algae pressure during the early phase of the aquarium.

Plants that typically benefit most

Heavy root feeders such as Echinodorus, Cryptocoryne, Vallisneria, Sagittaria and similar species.

General guidance

Insert Legend BioPlant Primary Sticks™ directly into the substrate near the plant roots and cover fully. Apply mainly in planted zones, not across open decorative areas.

Placement spacing: Distribute evenly across the planted area (for example, in a loose grid) to avoid concentrating nutrients in one spot.

Large root feeders: For bigger plants, insert multiple sticks around the plant base (around the outer leaf line) rather than only under the crown.

Re-application: Refresh periodically depending on plant density, growth rate, and substrate conditions, and after major replanting or rescapes.

Maintenance note: If a stick becomes exposed during cleaning, re-bury it promptly to keep nutrients in the root zone.

Amounts per 1 g

Nutrients are slowly released from clay and organic soil matrix.

Derived from: Clay granules, raised bog peat (H5–H8), bentonite clay minerals, botanicals (algae)

Protect from frost and heat. Keep out of reach of children and pets.

Storage: At room temperature. Protect from frost and heat.

Use: For fertilization of ornamental plants in an aquarium only.

See the pack for detailed dosage recommendations.

Note: Official guidance recommendations take precedence.

Download Safety Data Sheet (SDS)