Have you been wondering whether to plant monstera in LECA or soil? Are you confused between both options?
In this article, we will explain the difference between LECA and soil and list the pros and cons of each growing medium so that you can make an informed decision.
Continue reading to find out more.
What is Lightweight Expanded Clay Aggregate (LECA)?
LECA stands for lightweight expanded clay aggregate- a clay medium used to grow and nourish hydroponic gardens. The clay balls ensure that water and air can pass through. However, LECA is not a suitable growing medium for all plants, which is why you should always keep the soil as an alternative.
Have you always grown your plants by using handfuls of soil? With LECA, this does not work. It contains balls of clay that are baked and of the same size.
At first glance, you might think that you are filling your monstera with a packet of Cocoa Puffs, but the truth is that LECA is extremely beneficial for plants. Since the balls are not glued together, they allow better aeration.
While the clay balls absorb water, it is still less than their volume. LECA balls can hold 30 percent of their weight in water. Moreover, LECA is wonderful for hydroponic gardening- this is a soilless method of growing plants, such as monstera, in which water transports nutrients to the roots of the plant.
Keep in mind that LECA is nutrient-free. However, you can always use a hydroponics fertilizer so that LECA can absorb the nutrients in the fertilizer the same way it would absorb water. Due to this quality, your monstera plant can last longer as compared to if you were using conventional potting soil.
Usually, the pH of LECA lies between 5.5 to 5.7. This means that it is acidic but not too acidic.
What is Soil?
Soil contains organic as well as inorganic particles and matter. It ensures that every plant gets the structural support they need in agriculture. Moreover, soil acts as the source of nutrients and water for plants.
There are many different kinds of soils available in the market, each of which has its own unique physical and chemical properties.
LECA Advantages
To understand LECA and what it does for the monstera plant, you need to know about the advantages of this growing medium. These will help you figure out whether you should use conventional soil or LECA to grow your plants.
Allows You to Check the Plant’s Progress with Ease
The greatest difference between growing plant monstera hydroponically and in the soil is that it is harder to look at the plant’s progress when using soil.
This is because soil completely blocks the established root system. It does not matter whether you are taking care of a grown plant or transplanting a tiny plant cutting; there is no way you can ensure that the roots are healthy.
Of course, you get used to this, and eventually, you will learn to understand when your plant requires less or more water.
However, when you grow indoor plants with LECA, you can always check in on them. For example, if a problem with the roots arises, you will know that your plant needs attention immediately instead of waiting until the leaves start showing strange symptoms.
This can be extremely helpful to indoor gardeners, especially those who are just learning about growing plants. Healthy, white roots will allow you to understand that you are caring for the plant properly, and this will give you the confidence to continue doing everything right.
If you do something wrong, LECA will allow you to see the symptoms before the plant dies.
Lower Risk of Pests
Have you ever experienced pest infestations in your indoor garden? If yes, you already know how hard it is to understand how the bugs are finding their way in. The truth is that moist soil is to blame- usually, it attracts insects and causes them to infest the entire garden.
Since soil already has living organisms in it, it is more likely to attract other organisms, including fungus gnats.
When these insects lay eyes on the juices produced by your plant, they make their way to them and suck on them. Soon, they start to reproduce. These insects go on to spread the disease to other plants in the vicinity, becoming a risk to the entire garden.
However, when you do not use soil and instead use LECA, you can minimize the number of living organisms present.
LECA Balls Can Be Reused
The best part about LECA balls is that they can be reused from the container or bot. If the balls are exposed to any disease, you will have to sterilize and clean the clay. Moreover, you will have to wash the LECA if it gets dirty.
As long as you take care of the health of the LECA and do not use dirty or infected LECA on indoor plants, you should be good to go. This is also a cost-effective option and will help you save money.
Decreased Risk of Root Rot
Are you wondering how LECA clay balls can lower your risk of dealing with root rot? This is because LECA balls have a finite amount of water. The monstera plant will absorb some of the water, while the LECA will absorb the remaining. Once the water disappears, you can refill it.
As stated previously in this article, LECA allows brilliant aeration as well. Hence, water in the container can travel, allowing oxygen to reach monstera roots.
However, if you use oil to grow the plant, you may enjoy the great drainage, but oversaturating the soil in water will reduce the amount of oxygen reaching the plant. This is how roots start to rot.
Rooting roots can attract insects, increasing the risk of infestation. If you are not careful, your plant can also die.
Lower Mess
Even though soil contains loads of nutrients and is aerated, do not forget that it is primarily dirt. Working with soil means that getting it underneath your fingers is inevitable- you may also have it smeared across your hands or face, and you will have to get your clothes washed after a gardening session with soil.
Of course, some plant owners do not mind this because gardening is messy.
However, if you are someone who does not like getting dirty, LECA balls are a great alternative. This is because you can submerge them in water, and they will remain solid.
Moreover, you do not have to worry about any residue when you touch them. This helps lower the mess you have to deal with, which can be particularly helpful if you have a garden in your office or home.
LECA Disadvantages
Here are some downsides to using LECA as a growing medium for monstera plants:
Expensive
If you are trying to save up, LECA might not be the best-growing medium for your plant roots. This is because LECA requires lots of equipment and tools that most individuals do not previously own.
For example, you will need a pH monitor as the pH of the water will have to be tested often. Even though you might find cheap ones available online, the advanced ones can be costly.
Moreover, most plant owners have containers with drainage holes. LECA gardening has no room for these pots as all the water would leak within minutes. Hence, you will need to purchase a bigger pot that does not have holes.
Of course, you cannot forget the price of LECA itself. If you compare the price of LECA pebbles to traditional potting soil, you will find that LECA costs four times more. Even though LECA is reusable, the initial expense can be steep.
You Will Require Fertilizer
Keep in mind that LECA does not contain nutrients. Hence, you will have to buy fertilizer separately. In soil, you can usually use an organic fertilizer like compost to ensure that the growing houseplants are healthy and happy.
However, with LECA, you will have to buy hydroponic fertilizer, special liquid fertilizer, or nutrient water.
PH will Need to be Constantly Monitored
As we mentioned previously, LECA clay balls are acidic. Hence, you must be extremely careful that the water you use is not overly alkaline or acidic, as this will alter the pH of the LECA balls.
If this happens, the plant will not be able to absorb nutrients, and eventually, it will develop a nutrient deficiency.
Not Suitable for Different Plants
Even though most plants like monstera plants grow well in LECA, other plants in your garden may not love it.
For example, plants that have big root systems do not grow well with LECA as it limits their growth. If grown in soil, these plants may end up growing bigger and larger.