LECA, or Lightweight Expanded Clay Aggregate, is a popular soilless growing medium for houseplants, offering a different approach to traditional potting methods. This article explores the use of LECA, particularly in conjunction with readily available IKEA products, providing guidance for plant enthusiasts interested in this growing technique.
What is LECA
LECA consists of baked clay balls, expanded through high heat to create a lightweight, porous material. It functions primarily in hydroponic and semi-hydroponic systems, providing physical support for plants without offering any inherent nutrients. Its porous nature allows it to absorb and wick water effectively, while also maintaining air pockets beneficial for root aeration. LECA is reusable and inert, meaning it will not break down or decompose over time.
IKEA and LECA Availability
While IKEA primarily focuses on traditional potting mixes and gardening accessories, they do offer a product called ODLA growing media, which consists of clay pellets. These clay pellets are essentially LECA and can be used for semi-hydroponic setups. However, the availability of ODLA may vary by region, and it might not always be stocked as a dedicated hydroponic product. Specialty garden centers, hydroponic stores, or online retailers are more consistent sources for various types of LECA.
Setting Up IKEA Plants in LECA
Transitioning a plant from soil to LECA requires careful steps to ensure the plant adapts successfully. Begin by thoroughly preparing the LECA. New LECA should be rinsed until the water runs clear to remove dust and debris. Soaking the rinsed LECA in clean water for at least 24 hours, or up to 48 hours, helps to leach out impurities and allows the clay balls to absorb water.
Next, gently remove the plant from its original pot and carefully clean all soil from its roots. This is important because any residual soil can decompose in the consistently moist LECA environment, potentially leading to root rot. You can use running water to wash away the soil, and trim any damaged or unhealthy roots.
For potting, a double-pot system is commonly used: an inner pot with drainage holes for the plant and LECA, placed inside a cachepot or outer pot without drainage holes to hold the water reservoir. Fill the bottom of the inner pot with a layer of prepared LECA, then carefully position your plant, spreading its roots. Fill the rest of the inner pot with LECA, gently shaking the pot to settle the pellets around the roots without compressing them.
After potting, add water to the outer pot to create a reservoir, ensuring the water level reaches about one-third of the inner pot’s height, but does not completely submerge the plant’s roots. The LECA will wick water up to the roots through capillary action. Since LECA is inert and provides no nutrients, a hydroponic nutrient solution is essential for plant health. These solutions contain the necessary macro and micronutrients plants require. Regular flushing of the LECA, about every two weeks, helps prevent the buildup of mineral salts from the nutrient solution.
IKEA Accessories for LECA Growers
Many IKEA products can complement a LECA growing setup. IKEA offers a diverse range of plant pots and planters, including ceramic, stoneware, and concrete options, which can serve as decorative cachepots for your inner LECA pot. When selecting pots, consider those without drainage holes for the outer reservoir, or use their self-watering planters, which can be adapted for LECA. Avoid metal pots for the water reservoir, as they can make the nutrient solution too cold. Beyond pots, IKEA provides other useful accessories for plant care, such as watering cans, spray bottles, and plant stands. Simple storage containers or shelves can also be repurposed for organizing LECA or nutrient solutions. While IKEA does not specialize in hydroponic equipment, their existing product lines offer functional and aesthetic solutions for integrating LECA-grown plants into your home.
Benefits and Considerations of LECA
Using LECA as a growing medium offers several advantages for houseplants. It provides excellent aeration to roots, reducing the risk of root rot often associated with overwatering in soil. The porous nature of LECA ensures that roots receive consistent moisture without being waterlogged. This system can also lead to fewer soil-borne pests, such as fungus gnats, as the inert medium does not provide the organic matter they need to thrive. LECA is reusable, making it a sustainable choice for plant care, and it results in a cleaner growing environment compared to soil.
However, transitioning to LECA also involves some considerations. There is an initial learning curve for understanding water levels and nutrient requirements, as LECA does not contain any nutrients on its own. This necessitates the use of specific hydroponic nutrient solutions, which must be provided regularly. Algae growth can occur in clear pots exposed to light, though this is manageable by using opaque outer pots or by regular cleaning. The initial setup can be more labor-intensive than traditional potting, involving thorough cleaning of both the LECA and plant roots.