6/12/2026

We are excited to introduce H2O 360™G, the newest innovation in the Harrell’s HydroMAX® product line, a granular wetting agent engineered for long-term performance in containerized nursery production.

Wetting agents are used to improve moisture retention and distribution, which can be a limiting factor, especially with soilless mixes comprised of substrates such as pine bark, peat, coir, etc., that become hydrophobic (water-repelling) when dry. Once soil becomes hydrophobic, water tends to bead off the substrate rather than infiltrate, making irrigation inefficient.

Adding a wetting agent to containerized soilless media creates a hydrophilic (water-loving) environment, maintaining plant-available moisture even as the substrate begins to dry out, reducing moisture stress on the plant.

Furthermore, water distribution in containers is not uniform, leading to localized dry spots, pooling, and channeling that cause water to leach out of the bottom of the containers. Wetting agents prevent dry spots from forming and reduce water loss from leaching.

H2O 360™G – Advanced Moisture Management for Containerized Production

Most surfactants used as wetting agents consist of linear polymers arranged in a block design. This design is limited and greatly reduces the formation of hydrophilic channels and overall performance, as these surfactants are readily broken down by microbial activity. H2O 360™G is derived from a custom-designed branched molecule that provides more efficient hydrophilic channels. The branched structure maintains effectiveness even during biodegradation, leading to greatly improved, longer-lasting performance.

Data from containerized nursery trials indicate that H2O 360™G outperforms a leading competitor known for longevity. Results show H2O 360™G provides faster penetration and increased moisture retention for plants growing in media incorporated with 1.5 pounds per cubic yard, lasting up to 320 days of production. This makes H2O 360™G beneficial for longer-growing crops such as perennial trees and shrubs, and for plants that leave production and may sit in a retail environment, exposed to moisture stress before they are sold.

H2O 360™G Improves Water Distribution and Efficiency

Water distribution in container substrates is rarely uniform. Without a wetting agent, growers frequently observe:

Localized dry spots

Water pooling on the surface

Preferential flow (channeling)

Increased leaching losses

H2O 360™G helps address these challenges by:

Promoting uniform water movement throughout the container profile

Reducing dry spot formation

Improving moisture retention in the root zone

Enhancing overall irrigation efficiency

H2O 360™Gs Advanced Branched Polymer Technology

Most conventional wetting agents are composed of linear polymer surfactants, which:

Provide limited formation of hydrophilic pathways

Lose effectiveness over time due to microbial degradation

H2O 360™G is derived from a custom-designed branched polymer structure that:

Creates more efficient and stable hydrophilic channels

Maintains performance even as the product undergoes biodegradation

Delivers extended longevity compared to traditional technologies

Proven Performance and Longevity with H2O 360™G

Container nursery trials demonstrate that H2O 360™G:

Provides faster water penetration

Improves moisture retention within the substrate

Outperforms leading competitive products known for longevity

At an incorporation rate of 1.5 lbs. per cubic yard, H2O 360™G has shown:

Consistent performance for up to 320 days in production systems

H2O 360™G Ideal Use Scenarios

H2O 360™G is particularly well-suited for:

Long-duration crops (trees, shrubs, perennials)

High-porosity substrates prone to drying

Production systems with limited irrigation uniformity

Retail environments where plants may experience extended dry-down periods

The Bottom Line for H2O 360™G

H2O 360™G is designed to:

Maximize irrigation efficiency

Improve moisture uniformity

Reduce plant stress

Deliver season-long performance

If you are interested in utilizing H2O 360™G in your greenhouse or nursery media, connect with your local Harrell’s Representative. They can answer any questions you have about the product and help you get started.