Can You Grow Succulents in LECA and Semi Hydroponics?

Are you also wondering how can you grow succulents in LECA and semi-hydroponics? Let me share with you how I grow some of my succulents in LECA and Semi-hydroponics (Semi-Hydro). I have been growing succulents for a few years now and tried different methods of growing them.  

Yes, you can grow succulents in LECA and Semi-Hydroponics. LECA and semi-hydroponics is interesting medium and way of growing plants with the promise of sustainability, strong root system, fewer pests and promoting good plant growth. LECA is a versatile medium to use that mimics the natural arid environment that succulents prefer. It also does promotes a good and strong root system so the plants get the good air circulation it needs.

What is LECA?

Light Expanded Clay Aggregate (LECA)is a lightweight aggregate made by heating the clay more than 1000 degrees Celsius. The heating process makes the clay expand and porous. They were initially used to make lightweight concrete products. LECA is also used as an alternative substrate for plants for hydroponics systems.

The LECA typically wicks the water from the reservoir to evenly distribute the moisture to the root system without suffocating it and causing fungal rot. LECA does improve the drainage and increase the oxygen levels to promote healthy root growth.

LECA is known for its circular brown shapes that resemble a chocolate ball. It is also known as Hydroton or Clay pebbles. You can easily get them in and online shops or any hydroponic shops and garden centres.

What is Semi hydroponics?

Semi hydroponics or semi hydro is a way of growing plants using an inorganic medium in replacement of soil and other organic matter. Semi Hydroponics is known as beneficial for plants.  It does promote a good airflow to the plant root system. 

Growers who use semi hydroponics in growing their plants typically use LECA. LECA wicks the water through capillary action from the bottom of the pot that acts as a reservoir and evenly moistens the medium and the plant roots.

Using a clear plastic pot or glass vase are mostly used by the growers so they can see the roots easily.  However, it is advisable to keep the roots away from the light as it can harm them.

Some hydroculture growers encourage the usage of self-watering pots or net pot with catch pot that will act as a reservoir. This will help to protect the delicate roots of plants getting damaged by light.

Since Semi Hydroponics use an inorganic medium, it is necessary to provide essential plant nutrients with the help of fertilisers that is mixed in with the water.

Read more: 15 Best Plants for Leca and Semi-Hydroponics Growing

Succulents in Semi hydroponics

Growing succulents in semi-hydroponics is a good alternative way of growing your favourite succulents. It is important that you must understand the root conversion process that the plant will go through to adapt to its new environment or medium. 

If you are converting succulents from soil to LECA and semi- hydroponics, it would be ideal to begin with planting the succulent in dry LECA. This is to introduce the new medium without shocking the roots. Place the newly potted plant in a bright and warm location to help it transition well.  After a few weeks, you can introduce a tiny amount of water and wait until it dries up again.

You need to repeat this process until you can see the new root growth in your plant that is fully adapted to LECA and semi-hydroponics. Only leave a small amount of water as a  reservoir of your succulent plant in the semi-hydroponics system.

If you are growing succulent from an unrooted cutting, you can simply let the cutting callous first and place it on the top of the dry LECA and wait until it starts to grow some roots. These new roots will be fully adopted to LECA medium. Slowly introduce water to these plants by using a water spray. This is to prevent overwatering the plants when it is still in a fragile state.

Eventually, when the plant has a more stable root system, you can introduce a small amount of water as a reservoir for your succulent in semi-hydroponics. 

Benefits of growing succulents in LECA

Growing succulents in LECA is an alternative way of growing these plants by imitating their arid natural habitat. Since LECA is considered as a dry medium, this is an ideal environment for succulents as long as you so will follow the correct way of transitioning them from soil or cutting to LECA.  There a number of benefits of growing succulents in LECA. 

• Healthy root system.
• Prevents fungal infection due to lack of air circulation
• Improves drainage
• Less overwatering problems
• Less pests 

Succulent watering requirements in LECA

Watering succulents in LECA is easier and would not have any guessing game on when is the right time to water your plant.  

LECA is a porous material and can store a certain amount of water enough to make the medium moist but not wet. This will ideal for the roots of the plant as they won’t get drowned easily and get over watered.

When you are still transitioning your succulents from soil to LECA, be careful not to soak the pot in the water. It is enough that you pour the water from the top of the pot and let it drain. You can do this process around 7 to 10 days in between watering.

Once the succulent developed the LECA roots, it will be easier for the plant to adapt in semi-hydroponics. You need to ensure that the reservoir always have water to avoid it from drying out.

If you are planning to put your succulents in LECA in your outdoor garden, make sure it has fully adapted in its new medium before leaving it out exposed in the natural elements. I once left a succulent in LECA out in the rain overnight, and after a few days it shows some signs of overwatering.

PH levels and Fertilising succulents in LECA

LECA is an inorganic growing medium for succulents. Hence, it is vital to provide essential plant nutrients through fertiliser. It is ideal to give succulents with low nitrogen fertiliser to keep them compact and maintain its nice shapes and not to grow to leggy or etiolate.

I personally use Chempak fertiliser for succulents and cacti and it works beautifully well for my collection.  As for my houseplants that have a more succulent type like peperomia, I use Formulex fertiliser that is specially designed for hydroculture.

Hydroculture growers recommend to adjust the PH levels of the water that you will use for your plants in LECA and semi hydroponics to promote healthy growth. The water from the tap is usually mixed by various chemicals to can be too strong for the plants. The plants ideal PH levels are between 5 to 6.5 PH levels. You should aim for the PH levels that is the same as rainwater.

You can easily get a PH Down solution and PH level testers in any of the hydroponics shops and online. There is no need to get a PH Up solution as you can always add an additional tap water to adjust the PH levels.

Can I mix LECA with soil?

Yes, you can mix LECA with soil as a growing medium or use LECA as an additional layer of drainage at the bottom of the pot.  Adding LECA to your succulent soil mix increases the airflow and drainage that is beneficial for the plant. 

Since succulents prefer to be on the dry side and won’t like a wet medium for a long time, having a fast-draining soil mix is a great way to make your succulents happy.  Adding LECA is also beneficial to make your succulent soil mix lighter than the usual compared to using horticultural pebbles and grit. 

When making a succulent arrangement or potting a mature giant succulent in a big pot, using LECA is a great addition to your succulent soil mix due to its big circular nature so you can easily fill the huge pot. 

I personally used this on my huge succulents and arrangements, it makes the large pot lighter, fill quicker and easier to move. Handy for all the manual handling and lifting around in the garden to help us protect our back.

I hope that helped and guide you in growing succulents in LECA and semi hydroponics. It is surely an alternative way and the future of growing plants sustainably.

Do you like growing succulents in LECA and semi hydroponics too?
Please share your experience and tips in the comment box below!

Happy Growing!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Ryazan Tristram

Succulent and houseplant collector

I’m Ryazan, confessed succulent-holic and proud plantita (plant mom) based in Birmingham, UK. Proud succulent hoarder for a couple of years now and my collection keeps growing! Let me help you to turn your home into a succulent and houseplant oasis that you will love!