HOW TO CARE FOR HOUSEPLANTS IN SEMI-HYDROPONICS

If you haven't heard already, there's an exciting and innovative trend in gardening and indoor plant care - using LECA (Lightweight Expanded Clay Aggregate) as a growing medium! LECA, a lightweight, porous, and soilless material, has captured the attention of plant enthusiasts and urban gardeners for its unique advantages and versatility. Changing from traditional soil, this modern approach has opened up a realm of possibilities for cultivating plants in a more sustainable and efficient manner.

Embracing LECA as a growing medium is a movement toward eco-friendly gardening practices. LECA is free from chemicals or contaminants, ensuring a chemical-free and safe environment for plant growth. Additionally, LECA's exceptional drainage properties lead to reduced water usage and waste, contributing to water conservation efforts.

LECA offers numerous advantages, but like any other growing medium, it also comes with its limitations. Appreciating both its positive attributes and drawbacks is pivotal to its effective utilization. Let’s have a short course about LECA 101 and learn how to make LECA a new home and a new way of living for your green friends. 

What is LECA?

LECA stands for Lightweight Expanded Clay Aggregate. It is a type of lightweight, porous material made from clay pellets. The clay used to make LECA is typically sourced from natural clay deposits. The specific type of clay can vary depending on the manufacturer and location, but it is usually a type of clay rich in aluminum and silica minerals. To make LECA, clay pellets are put in a rotary kiln at temperatures of around 2102-2192°F.  During this process, the high temperature causes the clay pellets to expand and puff up, creating lightweight, porous, and rounded balls. The expanded clay pellets are then cooled and sorted into different sizes, depending on their intended applications. The final product, LECA, is lightweight, durable, and pH neutral. LECA is widely used in gardening, hydroponics, and other horticultural applications as a growing medium.

Why should we use LECA for our houseplants?

Some of the key advantages of LECA include:

• Excellent Drainage: LECA has a porous structure that allows excess water to drain quickly, preventing waterlogged soil and reducing the risk of root rot. This feature is particularly beneficial for plants that prefer well-draining conditions.
• Superior Aeration: The porous nature of LECA provides ample oxygen circulation around the roots, promoting healthy root growth and preventing issues related to poor aeration.
• pH Neutral: LECA is pH neutral, meaning it does not significantly affect the acidity or alkalinity of the growing medium. This gives gardeners more control over the nutrient balance, especially when using hydroponic nutrient solutions.
• Lightweight: LECA is significantly lighter than traditional soil, making it easier to handle and move plants, especially in larger pots or hydroponic setups.
• Reusability: LECA is durable and can be cleaned and sterilized for reuse after a growing season or when repotting plants. This reusability reduces waste and makes it an eco-friendly option.

• Sustainable: The production process of LECA involves heating clay pellets at high temperatures, which consumes less energy compared to other growing mediums. Additionally, its reusability contributes to sustainable gardening practices.
• Root Health: The improved drainage and aeration in LECA promote healthy root growth, leading to more robust and vigorous plants.
• Suitable for Hydroponics: LECA is commonly used in hydroponic systems, where plants grow without soil, making it a versatile and efficient medium for soilless cultivation.
• Clean and Neat Appearance: The small, round pellets of LECA provide a modern and tidy look in plant pots, enhancing the visual appeal of indoor and outdoor plant displays.
• Versatility: LECA can be used with a wide range of plants, from tropical houseplants to succulents, and even in hydroponic setups for various herbs and leafy greens.

Does LECA have disadvantages?

While LECA (Lightweight Expanded Clay Aggregate) offers many advantages, it also comes with some disadvantages that should be considered:

• Moisture Management: LECA's excellent drainage helps prevent waterlogging, but it can also lead to faster moisture evaporation. 
• Nutrient Availability: LECA is an inert medium, meaning it doesn't provide any nutrients to plants. As a result, growers need to supply nutrients through a balanced fertilizer or hydroponic nutrient solution. 
• High Initial Cost: The initial cost of LECA can be higher than traditional potting mixes or soil. While it is reusable, the upfront expense may be a consideration for some gardeners, particularly those on a tight budget.
• Knowledge Requirement: Switching from traditional soil to LECA requires a learning curve, especially for those new to soilless gardening methods. 
• Root Stability: In some cases, plant roots may have less stability in LECA compared to traditional soil, especially in larger pots with a higher center of gravity. 

Can all houseplants grow in LECA?

Not all houseplants can grow in LECA and require specific growing conditions. 

Here are some plant types that generally thrive in LECA:

• Epiphytic Plants: Plants that naturally grow on other surfaces, like tree trunks or rocks, such as orchids and bromeliads, adapt well to LECA. 
• Succulents and Cacti: These water-efficient plants, known for their ability to store water in their leaves or stems, generally perform well in LECA due to their fast-draining properties, which help prevent overwatering.
• Tropical Houseplants: Many tropical houseplants, such as Pothos, Philodendrons, and Spider Plants, thrive in LECA because it provides an environment similar to their native habitats with good aeration and moisture control.
• Air Plants (Tillandsias): Air plants are epiphytic by nature and can easily adapt to growing in LECA, where their roots will be well-aerated and free from excess moisture.

Types of plants that may not thrive in LECA:

• Plants Requiring Constant Moisture: Plants that thrive in consistently moist or waterlogged conditions, such as water lilies, may not do well in LECA, as LECA may not retain enough moisture for their needs.
• Plants with Large Root Systems: Some plants, like mature trees or those with extensive root systems, may outgrow the limited space provided by LECA, and need a more stable, compact growing medium to support their root systems. 
• High-Nutrient Demand Plants: Plants with high nutrient demands, like heavy-feeding flowering plants or fruiting vegetables, may require more consistent and easily accessible nutrient sources than LECA can provide.
• Plants with Specific pH Requirements: Some plants have specific pH preferences that may not align well with the pH neutrality of LECA. In such cases, other growing media that can better maintain the desired pH level may be more suitable.

How to grow your houseplants in LECA - Step by Step

It is not recommended to move your plants from soil to LECA. It is best to propagate cuttings in LECA, or make the transition with very young plants, so the roots can adapt easily to the new growing medium. 

• Step 1: Gather Supplies: You need: LECA pellets, containers with drainage holes, houseplant cuttings or small plants, hydroponic nutrient solution, and optionally plastic wrap or humidity dome.
• Step 2: Prepare LECA: Rinse the LECA pellets thoroughly under running water to remove any dust or debris. This will help ensure a clean and healthy growing environment for your plants.
• Step 3: Choose Containers: Select containers with drainage holes to allow excess water to escape. The size of the container should be appropriate for the size of your houseplant or cutting.

• Step 4: Planting: Place a layer of moistened LECA pellets at the bottom of the net pot or container, filling it about one-third full. Gently insert your houseplant cuttings or small plants into the LECA, ensuring they are stable and surrounded by the pellets. Add more LECA around the roots to secure the plant in place. After planting, water the LECA thoroughly to settle it around the roots. Allow excess water to drain out from the bottom of the container.
• Step 5: Optional - Humidity Dome: If you are propagating plant cuttings, you can create a humid environment to encourage root development by placing a plastic wrap or humidity dome over the top of the net pot. This helps retain moisture around the cutting.
• Step 6: Provide Nutrients: Once your plant is established in LECA, you will need to supply it with nutrients. Prepare a hydroponic nutrient solution following the instructions on the package for the correct dilution. Pour the nutrient solution into the LECA, ensuring it reaches the roots and provides essential nutrients for growth.
• Step 7: Monitoring and Maintenance: Place your LECA-grown houseplant in a suitable location with appropriate light conditions. Monitor the plant regularly to ensure it receives the right amount of light, water, and nutrients. Adjust the watering and nutrient schedule as needed based on the plant's growth and environmental conditions.
• Step 9: Replenish Nutrients and Reuse LECA (if desired): As your plant grows, it will consume nutrients from the LECA. Regularly replenish the hydroponic nutrient solution to maintain a healthy nutrient balance. At the end of the growing season or when repotting, you can clean and sterilize the LECA pellets for reuse in future plantings, reducing waste and promoting sustainability.

Have fun experimenting with LECA as you embrace a greener and more sustainable gardening method!