Best Plants for LECA

Best Plants for LECA (10 Plants & Easy Guide!)

Growing plants in LECA is one of the hottest fads in plant care, which may not come as a surprise considering how often plant lovers hunt for new ways to care for their cherished plants.

With the evolving garden trends, all plant parents seek more straightforward ways to grow their plants. LECA is one of such inventions, and most garden enthusiasts want to know the best plants for LECA. This is wise, as the knowledge of such plants will ease you into gardening with LECA. 

Yet, this knowledge will be futile or less productive if the plant parents do not know

 the basics of LECA. So, this article aims at enlightening potential plant parents about the complexities of gardening using LECA, its pros and cons, and the best plants for LECA.

What Exactly is LECA

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LECA is an acronym for Lightweight Expanded Clay Aggregate. It simply means that you introduce baked clay balls as humidifiers and growth media for your plants. This might not make complete sense now, but it will at the end of this article.

The process of LECA involves soaking the baked clay in water. This causes the wet clay to expand slightly. The LECA does not contain nutrients, and you will need to put all nutrients in the water before including the baked clay.

This gardening technology was invented in Kansas City in 1917. The process of making LECA involves baking clay balls at 1,2000C. There is no ideal size or density for these balls, so they come in all sizes and densities. 

LECA serves as a growth medium for hydroponic micro-ecosystems, and this system’s plant life does not require conventional soil to grow. The watering of this ecosystem is either automatic or passive. In the passive hydropic ecosystem, plants obtain water through the capillary effect of LECA. 

Pros and Cons of LECA

Is LECA worth the hype? You may ask. It is well worth it, as these wet clay balls live up to their reputation. Here are some of the benefits of LECA to plants and gardeners:

  • The pH of the clay soil is neutral, so the plants will not suffer excessive acidity or alkalinity
  • LECA is inorganic and unlikely to break down after long periods in water. 
  • The clay undergoes baking in high temperatures. This also eliminates pathogens and makes it a disease-free medium for plant propagation
  • The balls are not as compact as the conventional clay soil, so they can absorb nutrients from the water and pass them to plants
  • They can serve as growth media for your houseplants or can be humidifiers in the potting soil
  • LECA also allows maximum airflow to the roots, keeping them healthy and bright
  • Aerated environments also discourage microbial proliferation
  • When using LECA, the plants absorb all nutrients maximally because the clay balls act as capillaries
  • Most pests lay their eggs in the soil, so using LECA, you eliminate the threat of pest infestation.
  • There is less damage to the plant roots when you want to transplant
  • The clay balls are easy to replace
  • They are reusable

We can go on about the pros of LECA, but let us see some of its cons. Here are the downsides to LECA:

  • The initial cleaning of LECA is a messy process
  • Nutrients and salt can build up in this medium after a while
  • Plants may experience shock when transitioning from soil to LECA
  • Equipment and medium can be pricey and require lots of effort to start
  • The draining quality may be unconducive for some plant forms
  • LECA balls can be too large for some plants

Best Plants for LECA

There is a long list of houseplants that thrive in LECA. We will take a look at some of these plants in detail:

1. Cacti

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These succulents are so forgiving that they thrive in all climes, conditions, and management protocols. Their only request is that you leave them be, and show minimum care. So, you can say they are independent plant babies. They do very well with LECA as a growth medium and are amazingly beautiful.

2. Peperomias

There are several species of peperomias. These succulents do not appreciate an ample water supply. So, LECA is suitable for the growth of these plants, as it releases water droplets only when the succulent is dehydrated.

3. Philodendron

With its catchy and bright leaves, this succulent is also an available LECA plant choice. It fits in your living space and abides by your house rules. The Philodendron does not require intensive grooming or care and will stay strong in LECA as it does not have to fear pest infestation or diseases.

4. Pothos

Neon Pothos vs Lemon Lime Philodendron

This houseplant is a succulent that comes in various unique patterns and colors. It is an easy find in a houseplant parent’s collection and can withstand harsh conditions. It adapts easily to propagation with LECA and will give any plant parent a satisfactory result.

5. Zenzi

This is the best plant choice for starting your LECA gardening journey. It is so forgiving that it allows errors and thrives in all conditions. Even when you have to transplant from soil to LECA, it will do very well without getting weak or sick.

6. Alocasia

These fast-growing plants are so beautiful that you can always feel better just staring at them. They are also easy to groom as they adapt to all conditions and thrive excellently in all climes. This makes them suitable for gardeners that are starting a LECA adventure. 

7. Bamboo

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Bamboo is the plant for the job if you love big plants and want to try LECA on them. The bamboo will look exotic jungle and beautiful in your living space too.

They are fast-growing plants and can thrive in a hydroponic environment. Here, you can use fish waste as manure for this unique plant and keep it happy.

8. Snake Plant

Popular for their ability to survive in different conditions, snake plants can blossom in LECA. In addition to providing good aeration for these plants, LECA also prevents overwatering. Place the snake plant in a room where it can get bright, indirect sunlight. 

Before you water this plant, allow the top inch of the LECA to dry. Although snake plants are low-maintenance, giving them care and attention can make them more appealing. 

9. Tomatoes

Under suitable conditions, tomatoes will grow well in LECA. Even though tomatoes flourish in soil, they quickly adapt to hydroponic systems. After growing your tomatoes in LECA, provide them with 12–24 hours of bright light if they’re indoors. 

For your tomatoes to grow healthy in the LECA, always monitor their nutrient levels, water levels, and temperature. 

10. Moth Orchids 

Another excellent plant option for LECA is moth orchids. While many species of orchids can grow in LECA, moth orchids adapt quickly and are easy to maintain. Generally, orchids need bright, indirect sunlight to thrive. 

Also ensure that water drains out of the LECA to avoid the problem of waterlogging. Keep the moth orchids in places with temperatures between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Additionally, always monitor the plants for pests, diseases, or fungal infections. 

Also see: Perlite Propagation

Summary 

The best plants for LECA are innumerable, but you cannot go wrong with the plants in the list above. Also, most houseplants do well with LECA if you can transition them appropriately.

Overall, it would help if you also learned the intricacies of growing plants using LECA. This helps you to avoid costly mistakes in your LECA gardening journey.

Frequently Asked Questions

Houseplant parents also wanted to know:

What houseplants can be planted in Leca?

Most houseplants will do well with LECA. This is a relief to most houseplant parents. Yet, you must be careful when transitioning your houseplants to prevent plant shock. 

What do you need to know about Leca plants?

The pH levels are essential to the survival of houseplants. Although LECA has a neutral pH, nutrients and salts might build up as plants age. This will result in an acidic environment. So, it would help if you routinely checked the growth medium’s pH and corrected any pH shift. 

What’s the difference between Leca and soil?

In the soil, the plant must absorb water or rot in the presence of excess water, while LECA allows the plant to drink at its own pace. LECA is a purified growth medium that helps the plant thrive with less concern for pathogen proliferation.

Can you use Leca soil for succulents?

Yes. Most succulents will thrive in LECA soil. It is ideal for the growth of many plant species, and they will do very well in its micro-environment.

Conclusion

House plants are easily the best plants for LECA, but other plants also thrive using this method of propagation. The trick is to know all there is about this growth medium and use it appropriately in gardening.

To explore this medium, it is best to also learn about the growth requirements for all plant types that you want in your garden. This makes you an exceptional gardener.

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