Drainage that does not rot, mold or lose its effectiveness for years. BIOVITA Agro Gardening Expanded Clay is a lightweight ceramic aggregate fired at high temperatures – hard, porous granules with a particle size of 8–16 mm. Spread across the bottom of a pot, it drains excess water and protects roots from rot; mixed into soil, it loosens and aerates it. Approved for use in organic farming.
In brief
- Capacity: 4 l
- Type: expanded clay – lightweight ceramic aggregate (expanded, fired clay)
- Particle size: 8–16 mm
- Composition: 100% expanded clay, no additives
- Intended use: potted and ornamental plants, vegetables, trees and shrubs, lawns
- Application: 2–5 cm drainage layer at the bottom of a pot, 10–30% soil amendment, mulch, hydroponics
- Coverage: 4 l provides drainage for approx. 6–8 pots measuring 15–20 cm or 2–3 larger pots
- Certification: approved for use in organic farming
What makes this product stand out
Expanded clay is made from clay fired at temperatures above 1000°C – the granules expand, forming a hard shell and a porous interior. As a result, they are lightweight, do not crumble, decompose or alter the pH of the growing medium, while water flows freely between them. This is the simplest way to ensure effective drainage in pots without holes or with decorative cachepots, where water collecting at the bottom most often causes root rot.
BIOVITA’s Agro version is expanded clay approved for use in organic farming, with a clean, uniform particle size of 8–16 mm – coarse enough not to clog drainage holes and fine enough to also be used as a soil amendment. The convenient 4 l package is a home-sized portion: enough for several repottings, topping up a cachepot or mulching several pots.
How to use it step by step
Preparation: Before first use, rinse the expanded clay with water in a sieve to remove transport dust. No soaking or other treatment is required – it is ready to use immediately.
Drainage in pots: Pour a 2–3 cm layer into the bottom of a pot or planter (4–5 cm in large planters). In containers without drainage holes, make the layer thicker and water more sparingly. You can place a piece of horticultural fleece over the expanded clay to prevent the soil from mixing with the drainage layer, then add the growing medium and plant.
Soil amendment: For plants that require well-drained soil (succulents, cacti, monsteras, citrus plants and Mediterranean plants), mix the expanded clay with the growing medium at a ratio of approx. 1:5–1:3, i.e. 10–30% by volume. In the ground – when planting trees and shrubs – add it to the planting hole in heavy, clay soils.
Mulching and watering: A 1–2 cm layer of expanded clay on the surface of a pot limits evaporation, algae growth and fungus gnats. Expanded clay does not replace watering – water plants as usual, checking the moisture of the soil rather than the drainage layer.
Application
Expanded clay is essential drainage for pots and planters containing indoor, balcony and patio plants; a loosening soil amendment for succulents, cacti, citrus plants and aroids; and a growing medium for hydroponics and cultivation in cachepots with a self-watering insert. In the garden, it is useful when planting trees and shrubs in heavy soil, as decorative mulch and when establishing lawns on poorly drained sites. The manufacturer also recommends it for planting trees in urban areas.
Gardener’s tip
Planting in a decorative cachepot without drainage holes? Pour 3–4 cm of expanded clay into the bottom and place the nursery pot on top, making sure it does not stand in water. Excess water after watering will drain into the aggregate, slowly evaporate from there and increase the air humidity around the leaves – exactly what calatheas, ferns and other tropical plants like. Every few weeks, empty any water left at the bottom.
Specifications
| Product | BIOVITA Gardening Expanded Clay 4L |
| Capacity | 4 l |
| Form | loose aggregate (ceramic granules) |
| Composition / Particle size | 100% expanded clay, particle size 8–16 mm |
| Intended use | drainage, growing medium component, mulch, hydroponics; potted plants, vegetables, trees and shrubs, lawns |
| Coverage | drainage for approx. 6–8 pots measuring 15–20 cm |
| Certification | approved for use in organic farming |
| Packaging | bag |
| Manufacturer | BIOVITA Sp. z o.o. |
| EAN code | 5907813164989 |
