Ever since the first lockdown in 2020, many people have been staying at home. Through that time, in order to pass time, many Malaysians picked up gardening.
Different from the gardening you might be used to, which involves working outdoors, a trend that is picking up is indoor gardening. Indoor gardening makes use of plants that can thrive without too much sunlight and water.
Maybe during the MCO, you as well have picked up indoor gardening.
In this post, we’ll introduce you to Pafcal, a new Japanese soil-less technology that will help to make indoor gardening easy for you.
What is Pafcal?
PAFCAL is a Japanese-made organic product that makes planting easy. It is a sponge-like material that looks like peat soil, designed by Toyota Suntory Company in Japan, the company aims to make a greener environment with Pafcal.
Why Use Pafcal For Indoor Gardening?
Pafcal is 50% lighter than normal soil and it maintains water balance by allowing the plant to breathe with just the exact amount of water it needs. Thus, there is less water wastage when you use Pafcal.
Pafcal is also a bacteria-free material, thus it will not be attacked by harmful insects and unnecessary mold. That keeps your pots clean and plants healthy.
Since it is not soil, you will not find Pafcal crumbling like normal soil. This makes it ideal for indoor planting because it’s less messy.
Lastly, it has a lifespan of 10 years which is about twice the mortality of normal soil. You do not have to replace it if it dries up. Pafcal will never run out of nutrients. All you have to do is to water the plants once a week, or when the Pafcal become dry.
Pafcal vs Normal Soil Compared
| Pafcal | Normal Soil | |
| Base | Black urethane-based spongy | Soil replenishment |
| Maintenance | Low | Regular-care needed. |
| Pest Control | No bugs and bacteria | Attracts bugs and bacteria |
| Water Retention | A perfect balance of water and air | Poor water retention |
| Water Flow | Easy | Waterlogged causing mold to grow |
| Weight | Lightweight | Heavy and dense |
| Fertilizer Needed? | Minimal | Fertilizer needed |
| Portability | Easy to replace | Difficult to handle |
| Cleanliness | Eco-friendly | Messy and dirty |
How to Use Pafcal For Planting
Now that you know the advantages of using Pafcal compared to normal soil, here are some gardening tips when using Pafcal:
- Soak/wet your Pafcal before potting.
- You can use only Pafcal for planting or mixing with anything chunky but does not retain water. Do not mix Pafcal with soil.
- Most indoor plants need a dry medium. Therefore, you should put the Pafcal at the bottom of the pot and have some small rocks (like pumice) on top.
- Pafcal will act as a water reservoir where the roots will search downwards for water. It’ll never soak the plants and cause them to rot.
- Use only liquid fertilizer with Pafcal.
Watering Arrangement
- Outdoor – If planting outdoors, you can water every day. Water thoroughly.
- Indoor – Water once every 2 to 3 days OR simply wait until the Pafcal dries out and give it a good soak. Indoor watering usually depends on the environment, where it is located, fan, humidifier, etc
Pafcal makes planting and gardening really easy, once you know how to use it effectively. And having plants at home is good because it emits oxygen during photosynthesis. More oxygen, more clean air, and more positive vibes!
Indoor Planting Decoration Tips with Pafcal
Ready to do some indoor planting already? Here are the 3 decor tips using Pafcal:
1 – Decor your desk with easy pots.
The easy pot is a transparent pot that is made to fit Pafcal. This makes it is easy to monitor the water level and shows the best time to refill the water.
Simply place the easy pot on the floor or ideally on your desk. With it next to you, it acts as a natural purifier, as indoor plants can help remove toxins from the air.
2 – Put up indoor plants as wall frames.
Here’s another interesting design idea for incorporating indoor plants at home. Using a frame that you mount on your wall, you can pot your plants in a flat or upright position – based on your preferences.
3 – Transform a wall into a green wall.
Admittedly, doing this will take up more time and effort. But if done correctly, brings about a unique way to incorporate nature into your home.
The rows are stacked with Pafcal that can retain water and ensure less mess around the area.
You’ll typically find restaurants and cafes tend to install this wall as decorations on their premises, but there’s no reason you can’t do it for home if you are adventurous. On the plus side, it provides lots of oxygen to the area and removes toxins from the air in your home.
As you’ve seen so far, Pafcal make gardening fun and interesting. However, it’s also important to know which plants can grow well with Pafcal.
Suitable Plants When Potting With Pafcal
Not every plant is suitable to be planted on Pafcal. As an example, edible plants and fruits are not recommended to be grown with Pafcal – as although non-toxic, it hasn’t been certified to be safe with growing food.
Here are three popular plants that grow well with Pafcal:
1 – Song Of Jamaica
Originally from Jamaica, it creates a lively atmosphere with its bright leaves. Easy to take care of and it is low in maintenance. It is an air-purifying agent that removes formaldehyde and benzene.
With any bundle purchase at HOMA2U.com, you can get additional beautiful yellow pots for free!
2 – Strawberry Begonia
Strawberry Begonia is a pet-friendly plant imported from China, Japan, and South Korea. An air-purifying agent that removes formaldehyde and benzene. Moreover, it emits great oxygen, air and creates a positive vibe in your home.
It blooms best on bright days and requires occasional misting. However, try to avoid direct sunlight as it can affect growth.
3 – Epipremnum Aureum Pearls and Jade
Originally from the Solomon Islands, Epipremnum is an air-purifying plant, proven by NASA that can remove benzene, xylene, and toluene. These are common chemicals used in lubricants, detergents, and drugs.
Where can I buy Pafcal online?
HOMA2u is a marketplace for home improvement items, including Pafcal and the plants listed above, with a focus on overstock items.
You can find bundles and starter packs on our website. Currently, we provide free deliveries to 6 states in Malaysia, with no minimums. We also provide a flexi-pay option, where you can stretch your payments to 3 months.
Final thoughts on Pafcal
Pafcal bring a new experience in gardening, and is handy, especially if you are a beginner. It is also ideal for people who live in homes without a garden area but would want to incorporate some plants at home.
What questions do you have about Pafcal and indoor gardening? Let us know in the comments below.
