Can you grow plants in gravel?

Answer 1

Yes, plants can grow in gravel, though not well. If you try to grow many plants in gravel as soil a couple may grow tall but most will not grow at all. So, it is possible, but not a good idea. I did a science experiment at school growing plants in different types of soil, and gravel did the worst quantity-wise, but a couple did grow almost as tall as the ones grown in more common soils.

Answer 2

Actually a mixture of both would be ideal.

Bear in mind that plain sand and plain gravel has no nutritional value to the plant; depending on the nature and origin of the sand or gravel it may be totally inert, it therefore only acts as an aseptic medium for growth.

Sand retains water better than gravel as it has smaller pore spaces between the particles and therefore a higher surface area (of contact) for water and compost particles within the soil. Sand can hold more water, but can also become waterlogged, it has less space to hold air (oxygen) in the soil.

Gravel has larger particles and is normally irregular in shape, this means larger pore spaces which provides a higher level for air (oxygen) in the soil, but has very poor water retention capabilities.

Plants absorb most of their oxygen requirements through the roots, and not through the leaves! Leaves absorb much of the CO2 requirements of the plant.

Therefore a well drained, but water retentive soil medium is optimal for growth.

Both sand and gravel provide good anchorage for plant growth!

Answer 3

Yes, for many plants. You'll need lots of water, of course; the gravel is just something to hold the roots down while the roots absorb the water. You will also need SMALL quantities of fertilizer; fish emulsion is a good fertilizer.

Answer 4

We are not sure yet, we are currently doing an experiment to figure this out\

Yes plants can grow even on pebbles

Answer 5

It depends on the plant, but normally all plants grow well in soil.

Answer 6

Yes.