If you struggle to keep houseplants alive because you can’t seem to get watering right, you might want to swap soil for Lightweight Expanded Clay Aggregate (LECA).
It’s an alternative potting mix for houseplants that has increasingly become popular for easier watering. Essentially, it’s expanded clay balls that have air pockets which are able to retain moisture while providing plenty of airflow and drainage – pretty ideal for growing tropical indoor plants. By using it instead of soil, your plant’s roots are less likely to rot and you won’t have to water so often.
Though it isn’t as easy as chucking a bag of LECA (which you can buy on Amazon) in your plant’s pot. LECA isn’t as nutrient-rich as standard houseplant potting soil, so it’s rather used in a semi-hydroponic set-up, along with a special fertilizer to support growth. That’s why it also isn’t a reliable option for all houseplants. Here, we explain all you need to know about using LECA in your indoor garden.
Latest Videos FromHomes and Gardens
What is LECA?
(Image credit: sutichak via Getty Images)
LECA is made by heating clay at a high temperature, resulting in it expanding into lightweight porous balls.
They can be used to grow many plants instead of houseplant potting mix (which you can pick up at Walmart) because they provide plenty of moisture, airflow, and drainage.
The best part is they retain moisture and gradually release it, a bit like a sponge. This makes it much easier to avoid the indoor plant mistake of overwatering or underwatering your plants.
This moisture management and airflow also helps to deter houseplant pests like fungus gnats, which thrive in oversaturated soil.
Overall, it’s a great pick for tropical plants that love consistent moisture and hate drying out, but are also susceptible to root rot and dislike excessive water.
In particular, many people have been successfully using LECA on orchids, monsteras, anthuriums, philodendrons, and alocasia.
But it isn’t as simple as swapping for soil. There is a particular method to use LECA correctly.
How to Use LECA
(Image credit: Vitalina Nakonechna via Getty Images)
To use LECA properly, there are a few steps to follow. Simply swapping soil for LECA won’t provide enough nutrients for your plants to grow healthily.
That’s why the typical set-up is semi-hydroponic, i.e., a plant sitting in LECA balls with a small reservoir below. In the reservoir, hydroponic feed (like this from Amazon) provides the essential plant nutrients needed.
The clay balls then soak up moisture from the reservoir and release it to the plant roots in a capillary action.
- The first thing to do is get your LECA clay balls (also available at Walmart) and wash them to remove the dust. You also want to soak them thoroughly before planting.
- You should then remove your houseplant from its current soil, gently brushing away any soil on its roots. You want to remove as much as possible, as it can be a source of rot once in the LECA.
- Plant your houseplant in a self-watering plant pot (like these green ones from Amazon) using the LECA. You may need to add extra LECA to secure it in place.
- Fill the bottom reservoir compartment with water and a hydroponic fertilizer (like this from Walmart), following manufacturer instructions for strength.
- Monitor your plant. There may be an adjustment period where your plant may droop slightly. It will perk back up as it settles into its new home. You should then keep the reservoir topped up with water and feed as needed.
Something to be aware of: The successful use of LECA requires you to balance the nutrient levels correctly.
Too little can cause a deficiency, resulting in discoloring foliage and a general decline of your plant’s health. Too much can cause a salt build-up and burn the roots.
It’s worth looking into the needs of your specific plant to get the balance right, as well as regularly flushing your plant’s roots with clean water to prevent a mineral build-up.
That’s why it isn’t a reliable choice for hungry plants that need a consistent source of nutrients. Likewise, it isn’t a good choice for plants that prefer a drier environment, like succulents and cacti.
What to Shop
A soil moisture meter is a good thing to have in your plant care kit, so you can check when your houseplants need watering.
These self-watering globes insert into your plant’s pot to slowly drip water into the soil and keep roots hydrated.
Use a plant mister to boost humidity for your moisture-loving houseplants. In between use, it doubles as a decorative piece.
Another low-effort way to keep your tropical houseplants happy is by placing them in a bathroom or using a pebble humidity tray (like this from Amazon) to increase humidity for indoor plants.
If you love inspiring garden ideas, outdoor advice, and the latest news, why not sign up for our newsletter and get the latest features delivered straight to your inbox?