Potassium bicarbonate (KHCO₃) is a food-grade, fully water-soluble mineral salt refined to a guaranteed 45.8% soluble potash (K₂O). It dissolves cleanly with no residue, so it meters easily into irrigation water, nutrient solutions, and tank mixes.
It serves two purposes for growers: supplying potassium and adjusting pH. Because it raises pH, potassium bicarbonate is best for acidic conditions and isn't the right tool when soil, media, or irrigation water are already alkaline.
Two Jobs in One Input: Potassium and pH
Supplies soluble potassium: Potassium governs stomatal opening and closing (and therefore water regulation), activates a wide range of plant enzymes, and drives the movement of sugars through the plant. At 45.8 % soluble potash, potassium bicarbonate delivers that potassium in an immediately available form. The amount added at pH-adjustment rates is modest, so treat it as a supplement to a fertility program, not a stand-alone potassium fertilizer.
Raises and buffers pH: The bicarbonate ion neutralizes free acidity, nudging pH upward and holding it more stable against swings. This helps most with reverse osmosis (RO) and soft water, which carry little buffering capacity of their own, and with acidic inputs that would otherwise pull a solution below the range where nutrients stay available.
Chloride-free and sodium-free: The only ions it leaves behind are potassium and bicarbonate, and the bicarbonate breaks down to carbon dioxide and water. Nothing accumulates in the root zone, unlike muriate of potash (potassium chloride) or baking soda (sodium bicarbonate), which is an advantage in containers, recirculating systems, and salt-sensitive crops.
Fully water-soluble: It dissolves completely, so it will not clog emitters or leave sediment, and it mixes predictably into fertigation lines and hand-watering cans alike.
Who It's For
Potassium bicarbonate suits growers working with acidic water or media who want to add potassium and manage pH in one step.
Soilless, hydroponic, and coco growers: supplies soluble potassium straight into the nutrient solution while lifting the pH of low-alkalinity water.
Containers and living soil: feeds potassium into peat- or coco-heavy mixes and gently raises their pH as it works in.
RO and soft-water users: adds potassium to otherwise near-empty water and restores the buffering capacity these waters naturally lack.
Market gardens and greenhouses: delivers potassium through fertigation while holding solution pH steady across a crop.
Home gardeners and houseplants: puts a measured dose of potassium into watering cans and potted-plant feeds while nudging acidic water upward.
For growers whose soil or water is already alkaline, a chloride-free, acidifying potassium source such as potassium sulphate is the better fit.
How to Use
Start low and test before and after each addition. Small amounts move pH quickly, so add gradually, stir or circulate until fully dissolved, and re-test before adding more. Adjust to your water's starting pH and buffering capacity, your crop, and your system.
Buffering RO or soft water: Start at about 0.1 g per litre (0.38 g per gallon) to add gentle buffering to low-alkalinity water.
pH adjustment (water and nutrient solutions): For acidic fertilizers like organic fish-based products, add 0.2- 0.4 grams per litre (roughly 0.8 -1.5 g/Gal), dissolve fully, then re-test and adjust toward your target range.
Fertigation and drench: Once mixed to target pH, the solution carries soluble potassium to the root zone through normal irrigation or hand-watering. Larger operations can scale from the same dilution through fertigation; for site-specific rates, a certified crop advisor or agronomist can tie the program to your water test and crop.
Guaranteed Analysis and Specifications
Derived from: Potassium bicarbonate (KHCO₃), 100 %
Soluble potash (K₂O): 45.8 % (minimum)
Potassium (K): 38% (minimum)
Grade: Food grade
Solubility: Fully water-soluble; chloride-free and sodium-free
Storage and Safety
Store in a sealed container in a cool, dry place; potassium bicarbonate takes up moisture and will cake if left open to humid air. Keep out of reach of children and pets. Avoid eye contact and breathing the dust, and wash hands after handling.
Intended use: Potassium bicarbonate is sold for horticultural and growing use only. Although the material is food grade, the product is packaged in a facility not registered for food handling, so it is not intended for human consumption or use in food preparation.
Organic Compliance
Permitted for use in organic production under CAN/CGSB-32.310-2026 and CAN/CGSB-32.311-2026.
