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Struggling with fungus gnats on your plants? LECA might be the answer

Here's how to get started!
Profile picture of Livia Gamble Writer

Struggling with fungal gnats? LECA might be a solution.

Gaining popularity in the plant world, people are doing away with soil and transitioning their plants to LECA as the growing medium. 

What is LECA

LECA, short for lightweight expanded clay aggregate, is made by heating clay at temperatures until it pops. 

leca clay balls
(Credit: Getty) (Credit: Getty)

The pros of using LECA

It’s thought that LECA is better for your plants because your plants’ roots have more access to oxygen, and you can more easily monitor how much water they need. 

Once the water reservoir gets low, you top it up again. But you do need to remember to change the water once a fortnight.  

But one of the most significant advantages is the reduced risk of pests like fungus gnats!

Soil is alive, containing millions of individual living organisms which pests love to lay their eggs. LECA, on the other hand, is sterilised and too porous for pests like gnats to lay eggs in. 

zz plant
(Credit: Getty) (Credit: Getty)

The cons of using LECA

One of the cons of using LECA is that the clay balls don’t contain any nutrients, like soil does. So you will have to add that to your water. One product mentioned in the Facebook group, Crazy Indoor Plant People, is GT foliage focus.

Plants that grow well in LECA

If you are looking to get started with LECA, the following plant families are good place to begin. 

LECA STARTER KIT
(Credit: Etsy) (Credit: Etsy)

How to start with LECA

If you’re looking to transition to LECA but need help figuring out where to start, a LECA starter kit is what you need. 

This LECA starter kit on ETSY will save you time and money.

Your LECA starter kit includes the following:

  • 1kg of pre-washed LECA – This is enough to fill two 15cm planters or three 10cm planters.
  • 1 net pot (Dimensions 16 x 14.3cm).
  • 60ml of all three semi-hydroponics fertilisers: 20ml FloraMicro, 20ml FloraGro & 20ml FloraBloom. Makes a total of 20 LITRES of fertiliser solution!
  • Simple step-by-step instruction guide on how to use your LECA starter kit.

What you will need:

  • One 5-litre container or bottle
  • Decorative planter pot/s WITHOUT a drainage hole
  • Indoor plant that has roots greater than 2cm

BUY NOW

Happy planting!

You might also like:

How to grow plants in water

7 popular plants that grow in water

How to grow an indoor water garden 

Profile picture of Livia Gamble
Writer Livia Gamble Senior Digital Content Producer

With a Bachelor’s degree in communications and over a decade of industry experience, Livia is a seasoned content producer and editor who has a knack for crafting articles brimming with helpful information you never knew you needed (but you do). She has covered various topics, from home decor and gardening to health and wellness, showcasing her versatility and expertise. Livia's writing has been featured in publications such as the lifestyle section of the Sydney Morning Herald. Additionally, she has worked as a content editor for various parenting and lifestyle brands, including Babyology and Essential Kids. When she isn’t reporting on ways to improve your home and garden, she can be found crocheting ponchos and attempting to master the perfect homemade pizza dough.

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