Wetting Agents + Leaf Washes
A wetting agent for plants spreads each spray into an even film, so foliar feeds and treatments cover the leaf instead of rolling off. Pick Coco-Wet for nutrient and biological sprays or rewetting coco, and Nu-Film-P when the spray must stay on through irrigation.
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Spray-N-Grow Coco-Wet, 8 oz and 1 Gallon | Non-Ionic Surfactant
Vendor:Spray-N-GrowRegular price From $13.83 USDRegular priceUnit price per -
Nu-Film-P; 2.5gal
Vendor:*AAA NO BrandRegular price $187.50 USDRegular priceUnit price per
Wetting Agents + Leaf Washes
Wetting Agents: Surfactants and Sticker-Spreaders for Foliar Sprays
A wetting agent for plants lowers the surface tension of a spray, so droplets spread across the leaf instead of beading and rolling off. This collection carries Spray-N-Grow Coco-Wet, a non-ionic wetting agent, and Miller Nu-Film-P, a sticker-spreader that leaves a rainfast film on foliage....
Both products go into the tank with the spray you already use. Pair them with feeds from our foliar and specialty applications range, or browse the wider plant care section for pest and disease sprays.
Types of Wetting Agents
Non-Ionic Wetting Agents
Spray-N-Grow Coco-Wet calls for half a teaspoon per gallon of finished spray, so the 8 oz bottle treats 96 gallons. Being non-ionic, it doesn't bind to charged nutrients. The label also suggests it in plain water to rewet a dried-out coco substrate. Pick it for micronutrient, calcium and biological sprays.
Sticker-Spreaders
Miller Nu-Film-P is a pinene-based sticker-spreader that improves contact, wetting and adhesion of a spray. Its film resists wash-off from rain or irrigation and slows UV breakdown. The label calls for 4 oz to 1 pint per 100 gallons. Pick it when a spray has to stay on the leaf, as with Bt.
How Growers Use Wetting Agents
Add the wetting agent last, after the main product is mixed, and test a few leaves before treating the whole crop. More is not better: the Coco-Wet page warns that overdosing can trap heat against leaves. Nu-Film-P should not go into water above 100°F.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a wetting agent for plants?
It is a surfactant added to a foliar spray or to irrigation water. It lowers surface tension, so the liquid spreads into a thin film instead of sitting in beads. On waxy or hairy leaves that means more of the spray touches the surface. In a dried-out coco substrate, it helps water soak in again.
How much wetting agent per gallon?
It depends on the product, so follow the label. Spray-N-Grow Coco-Wet calls for half a teaspoon per gallon of finished spray. Miller Nu-Film-P is rated at 4 oz to 1 pint per 100 gallons. For a small sprayer, that is about 0.25 to 1 teaspoon per gallon.
Is a wetting agent the same as a surfactant?
Mostly, yes. A wetting agent is one kind of surfactant, the kind that helps water spread and soak in. Other surfactants also stick, defoam or penetrate. Coco-Wet is a straight wetting agent, while Nu-Film-P combines spreading with a sticker that holds the spray on the leaf.
What is a spreader sticker used for?
A spreader sticker helps a spray cover the leaf and then stay there. Miller Nu-Film-P forms an elastic, rainfast film that resists wash-off and slows UV and heat breakdown. Growers add it to biological and protective sprays that need to last between applications, such as Bt on outdoor or greenhouse crops.