LECA is an acronym for Lightweight Expanded Clay Aggregate. It is a well-known hydroton used as a medium for hydroponic gardening.
These substances behave similarly to the other hydroponic media, such as coco coir, peat moss, perlite, pumice, and vermiculite.
Related post: Various Types of Hydroponic Growing Mediums to Use
Hydroponic media have a higher water retention capacity and a better drainage system.
This is why plant roots can successfully continue their respiration process in the system.
Table of Contents
What is LECA?
LECA is a Hydroton because it is a product of enlarged baked clay pebbles.
It is a lightweight growing medium that acts similar to soil, but the characteristics differ.
For example, LECA does not contain any nutrients like soil, but it has better drainage and a higher retention capacity.
It is a collection of baked clay balls. These clay balls expand when they are soaked in water.
Hydroponic farmers use these soaked clay balls to grow houseplants or hydroponic crops.
You must supply nutrient solutions to supply essential nutrients to the plants if you use these clay balls solely as the medium.
To make this product, clay is inserted in a rotary kiln and then heated to 2190-degree Fahrenheit.
This high temperature will produce tiny bubbles and slowly make them light. It also gives them a pseudo-circular shape.
Why Should You Use LECA for Growing Plants?
A grower may receive a plethora of advantages by using LECA. We will briefly discuss the most important advantages that you can get from these clay balls.
Water Retention Capacity in LECA
Water is an important factor that controls vegetative growth. Under-watering can inhibit the growth of the plants, while over-watering can cause root rot.
In fact, root rotting may take place if the houseplants stay in water for a longer period.
This is a common scenario in clayey soils because clay soils have poor drainage systems and retain moisture for too long.
If your potting medium or garden soil is clayey, you can use LECA to improve the condition.
These materials are often used with other minerals like vermiculite, pumice, or perlite in a hydroponic system.
Growing plants using LECA in hydroponics helps the plants to absorb water when they are thirsty.
Better Root Systems By Using Expanded Clay Pellets
Plant roots start rotting when they stay submerged in water and deprived of oxygen.
Root respiration is a vital physiological process that keeps plants fresh. In hydroponic systems, people make mistakes by choosing the wrong mediums.
They either choose the materials that have high water holding capacity and poor drainage.
LECA can prevent this problem because it has larger pores and absorbs water for a long period of time.
Even the addition of more water does not damage the roots. These aggregated clay pellets have larger air gaps between them and supply oxygen to the roots.
Less Pest Infestation
Bugs attack houseplants when they are in an unfavorable condition and start rotting. A common scenario is root rot.
When the plants are overwatered, roots start rotting, and bugs are attracted to them.
Also, growing mediums like soil may contain microbes that can damage plants.
However, LECA is not active and does not contain microorganisms. So, you do not have to worry about pest infestation in this case.
If you notice insects in the roots, we suggest using LECA or other growing media to eliminate them.
Reusable Materials
Even the nutrient content in the soil will deplete over time, o gardeners must use new soil while repotting the plant.
As a result, old soils must be dumped off or kept fallow and mixed with organic material to make them productive again. This is a long-term process.
On the plus side, LECA is reusable, so you do not worry about its nutrient content or quality.
If you notice that the balls are getting dirty, you should wash them properly and add a new solution.
Limitations of LECA
Despite the advantages, there are a few limitations that can be really frustrating.
- LECA is very expensive compared to other hydroponic growing rocks.
- You must fertilize LECA to supply nutrients for the plant.
- LECA is an inert substance. So, monitor the pH of the solution to maintain a neutral pH.
Transfer Your Plants to LECA
- Firstly, loosen the soil around the plant.
Many gardeners immediately take out the plants from the garden soil, but removing a plant is the wrong way.
If the soil is too dry and hard, add water and make it soft. Slowly insert your hands and take the plant out of the soil. - Once the plant is out of the soil, spray water to the roots to remove the remaining dirt.
In this step, use tap water and rub the roots gently and avoid causing any damages. - Now, you should prepare the pots by adding LECA balls. Fill the bottom of the container with them.
Then place the plant. Roots must sit on top of the balls in this step. Now add more balls and fill the container. - Add nutrient solution and check the pH level of the water, which should be between 5.5-6.5.
You can use a testing kit or other items from reliable brands.
Is It Good to Mix LECA with Soil?
Many growers often become confused about mixing LECA with soil. They do not understand whether they should use LECA solely or mix it with soil.
Related Post: Other Soils and Soil Amendments for Gardening
Remember that these pellets are inert substances and do not contain any nutrients like soil.
Therefore, if you decide to use these pellets as the only part of the mixture, then you must add nutrients or hydroponics fertilizer.
That’s why LECA is used in aquariums or hydroponics gardening. Klayton is another substance that can be used alternatively to LECA [1].
These clay pellets can be mixed with potting soils because they can supply moisture when the soil becomes dry.
LECA has capillary pores in it, and we know that capillary force is stronger than gravitational force.
Thus, because of the capillary pores inside the balls, they can retain water against the force of gravity.
Also, they will supply air and improve the structure of the heavy clay soils.
FAQs
What are the benefits of LECA (Hydroton)?
Pests are attracted to the decaying roots and soils of plants, LECA, on the other hand, is pest-resistant and thus your growing area is less likely to be infested. Also, LECA has a long shelf life and can be reused and it’s not messy. As a growing media, it supplies ample quantities of oxygen that is able to reach the roots of the plants. Further, you can control the pH level and nutritional balance that is fed to your plants.
What is Hydroton (LECA) used for?
Growing material for hydroponic and aquaponic systems. Hydroton (LECA), is without a question, one of the most popular choices for growers. This growing medium may be used in practically any hydroponic system since it is sterile, lightweight, and simple to harvest and transplant, making it a versatile choice.
Which is better: Hydroton or Perlite?
Both Hydroton and Perlite rocks improve the aeration of the growing medium, but Hydroton is better, as this material soaks up moisture and retains it. Perlite’s ability to retain air is perhaps one of its greatest growth media benefits. Perlite is substantially less expensive per square foot than Hydroton (or LECA), making it a good alternative for larger hydroponic systems where LECA may be too expensive.
Is Hydroton the same as LECA?
They are the same. Hydroton (clay pebbles) is also known as light expanded clay aggregate (LECA). LECA is a kind of hydroponic substrate that has units that are around the size of marbles or peanuts and are used to grow plants in hydroponic systems and aquaponic systems.
Does Hydroton (LECA) absorb water?
Yes, Hydroton absorbs and retains water, ensuring excellent aeration. Because of their porous nature, these pebbles absorb moisture and allow for excellent drainage of water away from the plant’s roots.
Conclusion
LECA balls can be used with a variety of plant types.
Some plants may not work well with these balls. You will need to choose the type of plant carefully for the garden.
Another thing that you must keep in mind is the draining holes of new pots.
It would be best if you used closed-bottom containers while using LECA.
In closed-bottom containers, LECA can retain water, and plants can absorb water whenever necessary.
References
- [1] Jover Nuevaespana, J. and Matias, J.R. 2014. Comparison of the physical profile of Klayton and LECA as media for aquaponics.
- Johansson, L. 1997. The Use of Leca (Light Expanded Clay Aggregates) For the Removal of Phosphorus From Wastewater. Water Science and Technology.
Volume 35, Issue 5, Pages 87-93. - Boudaghpour, Siamak & Hashemi, S.. 2008. A Study on Light Expanded Clay Aggregate (LECA) In a Geotechnical View and Its Application on Greenhouse and Greenroof Cultivation. International Journal of Geology. 4. 59-63.
About/Mentions: Lightweight Expanded Clay Aggregate, growing media
Lindsey Hyland grew up in Arizona where she studied at the University of Arizona’s Controlled Environment Agriculture Center. She continued her gardening education by working on organic farms in both rural and urban settings. She started UrbanOrganicYield.com to share gardening tips and tactics. She’s happy to talk about succulents and houseplants or vegetables and herbs – or just about anything in a backyard garden or hydroponics garden.