{"product_id":"lava-lite-hydro-gro-plus","title":"Lava Lite - Hydro Gro+","description":"```html\n\u003csection class=\"gh-product-listing\"\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eLava Lite Hydro Gro+ — Natural Volcanic Hydroponic Growing Media\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBest for:\u003c\/strong\u003e Growers wanting a reusable, pH-neutral hydroponic substrate that costs less than clay pebbles and won't clog your system\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"gh-our-thoughts\" role=\"note\" aria-label=\"Our thoughts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOur thoughts\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nThis is proper natural growing media at a price that makes sense. Lava rock sits in that sweet spot where you're getting genuine control over your feed, zero chemical complications, and the ability to reuse it cycle after cycle. One we recommend a lot for growers stepping into hydroponics or looking to cut media costs without sacrificing drainage or aeration.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eLava Lite Hydro Gro+ is a \u003cstrong\u003enatural volcanic rock hydroponic growing medium\u003c\/strong\u003e designed to give you complete control over what goes into your system. It's pH neutral, 100% chemically inert, and porous enough to encourage robust root development whilst managing water and air exactly how you need it. Unlike synthetic alternatives, it's reusable across multiple crop cycles, making it genuinely cost-effective long-term. The soft-edged volcanic structure won't damage delicate roots and actively encourages beneficial microbial colonisation — which means healthier root zones without any added complexity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eHow it compares\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLava rock sits firmly between clay pebbles and rockwool in the hydroponic media landscape.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003evs Clay pebbles (LECA):\u003c\/strong\u003e Lava rock is lighter, more porous, cheaper upfront, and slightly better gas exchange. Clay holds a bit more water but costs more per cycle. Both reusable.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003evs Rockwool:\u003c\/strong\u003e Lava rock is natural, infinitely reusable, and won't clog filters. Rockwool holds more water precision but is single-use and poses disposal issues. Pick lava if you want control without waste.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003evs Coco coir:\u003c\/strong\u003e Coco retains more moisture; lava drains faster. Coco needs buffer treatment; lava is ready straight out of the bag. Coco's single-use; lava isn't.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn practical terms, you're getting the drainage and aeration benefits of premium media at a fraction of the cost, with the bonus of reusing it indefinitely.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eUsage guidance\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLava Lite Hydro Gro+ works across most hydroponic setups:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBefore first use\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nRinse thoroughly to remove dust and fines. This prevents filter clogging and ensures clean water flow from day one.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSeeding and propagation\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nFill your container completely, pat down lightly for an even surface, then push seeds to roughly 3cm depth. The porous structure supports cutting propagation perfectly too — root initiation is strong.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSeedling transplant\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nFill to the depth of your seedling, hold it in place gently, then fill to the top. The soft edges won't damage developing roots.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHydroponic systems (NFT, flood and drain, drip)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nUse it in any veg or grow troughs, planters, or raised beds. The porosity encourages excellent water uptake while maintaining proper oxygen levels in the root zone. Works brilliantly in aquaponic setups too — the porous structure actually helps filter water naturally.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNutrient control\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nBecause it's chemically inert with zero starting EC, you have complete authority over what goes in. This is the whole point of lava rock — you're in the driving seat. Use whatever feed schedule suits your crop.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReuse between cycles\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nSimply rinse and reuse. No replacement needed. This is where the real value kicks in.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eTechnical specifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMaterial: \u003cstrong\u003e100% natural volcanic rock (lava stone)\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003epH: \u003cstrong\u003eNeutral (7.0)\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEC: \u003cstrong\u003e0 mS\/cm (chemically inert, no starting salts)\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePorosity: \u003cstrong\u003eHighly porous structure with naturally sintered formation\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDrainage: \u003cstrong\u003eExcellent — fast draining with strong water retention in pores\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAeration: \u003cstrong\u003eSuperior gas exchange to root zone\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eParticle size: \u003cstrong\u003eVaried — suitable for seedlings through mature plants\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eReusability: \u003cstrong\u003eInfinite — rinse and reuse across multiple crop cycles\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEdge profile: \u003cstrong\u003eNaturally soft edges — safe for delicate roots\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAvailable sizes: \u003cstrong\u003e1 litre, 3 litre\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePre-use prep: \u003cstrong\u003eRinse before first use to remove dust and fines\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWho this is for\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFirst-time hydroponic growers wanting a simple, natural base to learn with\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBudget growers looking to cut media costs without losing drainage or aeration\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAnyone running multiple cycles or troughs where media replacement adds up\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEco-conscious growers avoiding single-use synthetics like rockwool\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAquaponics enthusiasts who want the water-filtration benefit\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCommercial or semi-commercial growers scaling up operations cost-effectively\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGrowers seeking complete nutrient control without chemical pre-treatment\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eParticularly well suited to spaces where \u003cstrong\u003econsistent drainage, healthy root development, and long-term cost efficiency matter more than premium branding\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eOur take\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is natural hydroponic growing media that actually makes financial sense. You get pH stability, zero chemical surprises, excellent aeration, and the ability to use it again and again. It's the kind of kit that rewards you more the longer you use it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you're building a hydroponic system and want to avoid single-use media costs, or you're after a natural alternative to clay pebbles and rockwool, worth picking up while stock lasts. Does exactly what it should, cycle after cycle.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003c\/section\u003e\n```","brand":"LAVA-LITE","offers":[{"title":"1 Litre","offer_id":47916535218346,"sku":"88941","price":5.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"3 Litre","offer_id":47916535251114,"sku":"88942","price":9.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0053\/5540\/5400\/files\/88942_hydro-gro_3_litre_74c0a7ae-cc97-4344-9bbe-66de85e2ab79.jpg?v=1769195531","url":"https:\/\/growershouse.co.uk\/products\/lava-lite-hydro-gro-plus","provider":"Growers House ","version":"1.0","type":"link"}