Almost anything that sprouts and grows! 🌱

em-Li is designed as an open growing system, giving you the freedom to experiment. You can grow plants from seeds, propagate cuttings, or even transplant herbs and plants you’ve purchased from a nursery or store.

We encourage you to experiment and discover what grows best in your em-Li!

🌿 What plants grow best?

In general, compact annual plants and herbs are best suited to em-Li. These plants complete their life cycle—from germination and growth to flowering and seed production—within a single growing season.

Large or fast-growing plants can become difficult to manage as they may grow beyond the reach of the grow lights. For plants such as tomatoes and chillies, we recommend choosing compact or dwarf varieties that are better suited to indoor growing.

Some seasonal plants require a period of cold temperatures or a winter dormancy period before they can flower or produce fruit. These plants, such as certain varieties of strawberries and blueberries, may therefore be more challenging to grow indoors. However, with the right conditions and by simulating their required winter period, growing them can still be possible.

🌱 3 Ways to Grow in em-Li

1. Sow Seeds

The simplest way to get started is by growing directly from seeds.

You can purchase em-Li certified Non-GMO seeds from our online store. These varieties have been tested by us for their suitability with em-Li.

You can also experiment with your own seeds or seeds from other suppliers. Just make sure they are suitable for indoor growing and the available space under the grow lights.

2. Grow from Cuttings

Cuttings are small sections taken from an existing plant that can be encouraged to develop new roots and grow into a new plant.

This is a great way to propagate herbs and other suitable plants without starting from seed.

Tips for successful cuttings

🌿 Keep the cutting small
Remove most of the larger leaves and leave only a few smaller leaves at the top. This helps reduce water loss while the cutting develops roots.

🌱 Plant it securely
Place the cutting deep enough into the growing medium so that it remains stable and has good contact with the moist medium.

💧 Keep it moist
Make sure the growing medium remains adequately moist while the cutting is developing roots. You may add a little extra water around the cutting when necessary.

🪴 3. Transplant Store-Bought Herbs

You can also give store-bought potted herbs a new home in em-Li.

This is particularly useful when you find a healthy herb at your local nursery or grocery store and want to continue growing it at home.

How to transplant / pre-cultivation

1. Carefully remove the plant
Take the plant out of its original pot. If it is in a thin plastic nursery pot, cutting the pot open can make removal easier while helping protect the roots.

2. Place it into the em-Li pot
Carefully position the plant in the em-Li growing pot. Try to keep the root ball intact as much as possible.

If the root ball is too large to fit, gently compress or loosen the surrounding growing medium until the plant fits comfortably.

3. Add our grow medium if needed
If there is empty space around the root ball, add coco peat to fill the gaps.

Make sure the growing medium has good contact with the water-wicking area/base of the pot. This allows moisture to reach the roots effectively.

4. Turn on the em-Li lights
Once the plant is securely positioned, switch on the grow lights and allow the plant to settle into its new environment.

🌿 Don't worry if it droops!

It's normal for a store-bought herb to droop or "collapse" temporarily after transplantation. Moving from one growing environment to another can cause temporary transplant shock.

Give the plant some time to adjust, keep the growing medium appropriately moist, and provide suitable light. With healthy roots and the right conditions, the plant should gradually recover and begin producing fresh growth.