{"title":"Leca","description":"\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eLECA (Light Expanded Clay Aggregate) is made by heating natural clay in a rotary kiln to around 1,200°C (2,190°F). Gases inside the clay expand during that process, creating tiny air pockets that absorb water.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eLECA contains no organic matter, so it's completely sterile, pH-neutral, and free of nutrients or pests. That makes it an inert medium rather than a fertilizer or soil amendment.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eGrowers use LECA as a soil substitute for semi-hydroponic houseplants, where roots sit among the clay balls while a shallow water reservoir at the base provides passive hydration through capillary action. It's also mixed into traditional potting soil to prevent compaction, placed at the bottom of a container to improve drainage, used to anchor cuttings while roots develop in water, or spread as a top-dressing layer over soil to block pests like fungus gnats from laying eggs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 dir=\"ltr\"\u003eKey features\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMade by heating natural clay in a rotary kiln to about 1,200°C (2,190°F)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePorous structure holds up to 30% of its own weight in moisture\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eInert: no organic matter, sterile, pH-neutral, free of nutrients or pests\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWorks as a soil substitute for semi-hydroponic growing\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eImproves drainage and prevents soil compaction when mixed into potting soil\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAnchors cuttings during water propagation\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBlocks pests like fungus gnats when used as a top dressing\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2 dir=\"ltr\"\u003eFAQ\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat is LECA made of?\u003c\/strong\u003e Natural clay, heated in a rotary kiln to about 1,200°C (2,190°F) until internal gases expand and create a porous structure.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow much water does LECA hold?\u003c\/strong\u003e Up to 30% of its own weight in moisture, held in its porous structure.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs LECA sterile?\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes. It contains no organic matter, so it's sterile, pH-neutral, and free of nutrients or pests.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan LECA replace soil?\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes, in semi-hydroponic growing. Roots sit among the clay balls while a shallow water reservoir at the base hydrates them through capillary action.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes LECA help with drainage?\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes. Mixed into potting soil or placed at the bottom of a container, it prevents compaction and improves drainage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan LECA be used for propagation?\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes. It anchors and supports cuttings while roots develop in water.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes LECA prevent pests?\u003c\/strong\u003e Used as a top-dressing layer over soil, it blocks pests like fungus gnats from laying eggs.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"leca","title":"Leca","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eLECA (Light Expanded Clay Aggregate) is kiln-fired clay with tiny air pockets that hold up to 30% of its weight in water. Sterile, pH-neutral, and inert, it works as a soil substitute, drainage layer, or top dressing.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"ASI","offers":[{"title":"10","offer_id":47998609817652,"sku":"LECA-10","price":19.93,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"25","offer_id":47998609850420,"sku":"LECA-25","price":39.83,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"50","offer_id":47998609883188,"sku":"LECA-50","price":59.78,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0658\/7315\/0004\/files\/LECA.jpg?v=1789759832"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0658\/7315\/0004\/collections\/gemini-2.5-flash-image_create_an_image_for_a_shopping_website_showing_the_leca_substrait._show_a_pile_d-0.jpg?v=1786480714","url":"https:\/\/asi.design\/collections\/leca.oembed","provider":"ASI","version":"1.0","type":"link"}