FYTA 
The foundation of healthy plants
When it comes to plant care, most people think about watering, light, or fertilizer first. But one key factor is often overlooked: the substrate – the medium your plant grows in – is the foundation of plant health. It directly influences water availability, nutrient uptake, root development, air circulation, and even microbial life in the soil.
The bottom line: Not every plant thrives in every substrate – and not all soils behave the same. Ignoring this can lead to root rot, nutrient deficiencies, or growth issues, even if watering and fertilizing seem on point.
A world of substrates: It's more than "just soil"
Today’s market offers a huge range of soil types – many are special mixes with specific functions. Here’s a quick overview of common substrate components and what they do:
- Perlite: A light mineral that improves aeration
- Coconut fiber (coir): Holds moisture well and is peat-free
- Expanded clay: Ideal for hydroponics or drainage
- Activated charcoal: Absorbs odors and helps prevent rot
- Seramis: A clay granulate that retains water effectively
- Compost or bark humus: Adds organic nutrients
- Peat-reduced potting soil: A more eco-friendly base for houseplants
There are also special mixes for orchids, succulents, aroids – and yes, even for “broccoli”
Why substrate choice affects plant care
Every substrate behaves differently – especially when it comes to:
- Water retention: Some hold moisture for days, others dry quickly
- Nutrient availability: Organic vs. mineral components release nutrients differently
- Air circulation & compaction: Some mixtures allow better root breathing
And even if your mix is perfect, moisture often distributes unevenly inside the pot – especially in larger containers. The top may seem dry while the bottom is still wet.
Common mistake: The soil feels dry – but isn’t
Many plant problems come from false assumptions, not underwatering:
- Top layer is dry = time to water? Not necessarily.
- Finger test = reliable? Not really – it only checks the first 2–3 cm.
- Constant moisture at the bottom = root rot risk – even when the surface looks dry.
Result: Plants suffer from too much or too little water, even when care seems “correct.”
FYTA Beam: No more guesswork
The FYTA Beam was designed to solve exactly this problem. And it goes further:
With substrate-specific calibration, FYTA understands how your soil behaves.
Here’s what FYTA can do:
- Customized analysis based on your substrate: Just choose your soil or mix type in the app, and FYTA adapts the calibration accordingly.
- Considers water retention, evaporation, and drainage properties
- Care tips tailored to your substrate, plant, environment, and season
- Built from insights across 60,000+ plant profiles
- Measures moisture, nutrients, light, and temperature – a full 360° view of plant health
FYTA handles the complexity for you – so your plant gets exactly what it needs.
Whether you use Seramis, coir, organic soil or a custom mix, FYTA knows the difference and makes your plant care easier, smarter, and more precise.
Alex 