Does Crystal Soil Work?

How It Works

• Sodium polyacrylate is classified as a superabsorbent polymer. It retains so much water because of its ability to attract water molecules to itself by osmosis. Sodium ion concentrations inside the granules are very high. When water is added, free water molecules rush to attach to those sodium ions. Distilled water, which has lower metal ion concentrations, will create greater osmotic pressure because more water molecules will be available to bond with the sodium ions. The greater the osmotic pressure, the more the sodium polyacrylate granules expand.

Useful Life

• Sodium polyacrylate is made of organic chemicals that degrade over time. Exposure to ultraviolet light, fertilizer salts and environmental pressures such as freezing causes the material to break into smaller particles. Unfortunately, the smaller particles do not have the same properties as the original particles. The ability of the sodium polyacrylate particles to retain water lessens as they become smaller. Sodium polyacrylate can be useful for anywhere from 18 months to about nine years, depending on the amount of stress the material experiences.

As a Growing Medium

• Sodium polyacrylate can be used exclusively as a growing medium for moisture-loving plants. Arrowroot, bamboo, Chinese evergreen, dracaena, dragon plant, dieffenbachia, palms, philodendrons and spider plants thrive in containers filled with sodium polyacrylate if given sufficient fertilizer. Plants that prefer drier conditions like cactus and succulents may succumb to various problems due to constantly wet conditions and is not recommended.

As a Soil Additive

• Sodium polyacrylate really shines as a soil additive. Often used in nursery soil mixes, sodium polyacrylate keeps young plants evenly moist during critical phases of development. It is often added to potted plants that would otherwise be at risk of drying out. However, because it can degrade quickly, sodium polyacrylate needs to be replenished every few years in order to remain effective. Be careful not to add too much to your soil mix or your plant may pop out of the pot when it's watered.