Best Guide to Use LECA for Plants
What is LECA and how does it actually work? LECA (Lightweight Expanded Clay Aggregate) is an inert growing medium made by heating natural clay at extremely high temperatures until it expands into lightweight, porous balls. These clay pebbles are structurally stable, pH-neutral, and do not decompose over time. Instead of acting like soil, LECA functions as a support and moisture-regulation system, allowing plant roots to access both oxygen and water simultaneously. This dual availability is what makes LECA fundamentally different—and often superior—to traditional potting mediums. The system works through capillary action and reservoir control. Water sits at the bottom of the container and is drawn upward through the porous clay structure. Meanwhile, the gaps between the pebbles ensure consistent airflow around the roots. Over time, plants adapt by developing water roots, which are more efficient at absorbing nutrients from […]