Leca/ Hydrocorn
Leca is used to help water to drain around the roots to aerate them. By leaving the pellets whole, you create tiny pockets of air. They also absorb water, so they can help retain moisture, without having your plant sitting in the water, which can cause root rot.
Leca can be mixed with soil or as a standalone medium.
When searching for information on this subject, you will find there are several names it goes by: expanded clay pebbles, leca clay, and clay balls are all examples. It is made by heating clay to over 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit using a rotary kiln, which gives it that signature pebbly form. This process fills the clay with little air bubbles, making it perfect for holding oxygen as well as moisture around plant roots. It can be mixed with soil or used alone.
So why use Leca/ Hydrocorn?
These porous pebbles absorb moisture and allow for fantastic drainage of water from the roots of the plant. Not only do they absorb moisture, they’ll absorb any nutrient solution you choose to add.
They can last a long time, just wash and reuse as many times as you need. You don’t have to worry about losing nutrients through numerous washes because there aren’t any to begin with. If they lose their usefulness, you can add them to the soil of your outdoor gardens to increase aeration and organic content.
They’re pH neutral and rather inhospitable to bugs.
You can crush them to increase water retention for use in the germination stage of growing.
How to use
Rinse the pebbles thoroughly before using, skimping on this step may lead to more expensive problems down the road. Take the time to do it thoroughly from the very get-go. You’ll be glad you did.
Soak the pebbles for at least six hours or, even better, up to 24 hours. Yes, the medium will be heavier but your plants won’t have to work hard to get to the water they so desperately crave.
Remove the plants and rinse occasionally. While these clay pellets are known for their neutral pH and lack of nutrients, they can still absorb and hold onto the nutrients you add along the journey. After time, phytotoxicity can build up and starve the plants. Watch for any whitish residue on the top and rinse the plant and pebbles with a pH-adjusted liquid. You can also leach the system with the liquid.
Add a small amount of nutrients after rinsing your pebbles. You can use one-quarter strength of your base grow nutrient.
Festive Season Delivery Notice
Our final hand deliveries will be made on 23 December 2025.
The cut-off date for all shipped orders is 15 December 2025.
Any purchases made after these dates will be held until 5 January 2026, when orders will be processed and dispatched.
Thank you for your understanding and support over the holiday season!
Sydney Hand Delivery
We personally deliver your plants across Sydney, Tuesday to Friday, from 7:00am to 6:00pm to ensure they arrive fresh and vibrant.
Delivery timeframe: 1 to 3 business days (excluding public holidays).
Same Day Delivery
Available Tuesday to Friday for orders over $120 placed before 12pm within 4 km.
Delivery by 5:00pm for a $20 fee.
Local Delivery (Within 2 km)
Free for orders over $60.
Not available for orders under $60.
Inner Sydney (Within 10 km)
Free delivery on orders $120+.
$30 delivery fee on orders below $120.
Sydney Delivery (Within 15 km)
Free delivery on orders $140+.
$40 delivery fee on orders below $140.
Sydney Metro Delivery (Within 25 km)
Free delivery on orders $500+.
$70 delivery fee on orders below $500.
Free delivery thresholds apply to the total after discounts.
If you're not home, we’ll leave your order in a safe place if possible. Otherwise, it will be returned to our Newtown studio for collection or redelivery (fee applies). Please provide any delivery instructions for our drivers to help keep your plants safe.
National Courier Shipping
We ship across most of Australia with AusPost and Sendle, excluding NT, WA and TAS due to quarantine restrictions.
Free shipping on orders over $120 (after discounts), capped at $25.
No express shipping available.
Orders ship Monday to Wednesday to reduce transit time; weekend orders ship Monday.
Some items may be unavailable for shipping due to size or fragility — this will be indicated on the product page.
Shipment typically occurs within 2–4 business days after your order is placed.
Delivery timelines are determined by the courier partner.
Important Information
Customers are responsible for understanding this policy before ordering.
We cannot guarantee delivery times due to courier delays beyond our control.
Shipping fees are non-refundable; claims will be reviewed by courier partners.
If delivery instructions or permission to leave parcels are not provided, your order may be returned and redelivery fees will apply.
You will receive a confirmation email after placing your order. If you do not, please contact us at hello@plantdaddy.com.au.
Thank you for supporting Plant Daddy — we look forward to helping you grow your indoor garden!
The Plant Daddy journey began as a single Philodendron Rojo Congo in an up-cycled pot and has taken us from Newtown Markets to Manly, Moore Park and Summer Hill.
In 2020 our first store opened in Newtown just steps away from where it all started! We're located on Australia Street surrounded by some amazing food and drinks spots and other quirky stores all run by locals for locals!
The studio is an enchanting haven where your indoor botanical fantasies come alive, as we constantly refresh and replenish our sanctuary with the latest seasonal plant trends, elegant styling decor, and nurturing guidance to ensure your plants flourish
Our goal is to provide our customers with an ever-changing selection of beautiful, hand-selected indoor plants, accessories, styling and plant care with our warm and knowledgeable advice.
Our customers and community are at the core of what we do and we're here to help you bring the outdoors in.
24th September 2020
Pictured (L) Trent (R) Charlie
The Plant Daddies standing in the door of the home of Plant Daddy