Mineral Matrix: Starter Shot (250 gm)

Mineral Matrix: Starter Shot — A 250g Introduction to Volcanic Remineralisation

Welcome to The Lithic Edit. The Mineral Matrix Starter Shot is a 250-gram introduction to one of horticulture's oldest and most respected practices: feeding plants with the slow, patient force of weathered volcanic rock. Designed specifically for the curious urban plant parent who wants to experience the difference real minerals make before committing to a larger bag, this starter size is a measured invitation into the world of mineral-led plant care.

What Is Mineral Matrix?

Mineral Matrix is a finely milled basalt rock dust sourced from the Deccan Traps — the vast volcanic plateau that defines the geology of central and western India. Over millions of years, slow-cooling lava flows produced one of the planet's most mineral-rich basalt formations. We harvest this raw material from verified quarries in Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh, micronise it to a horticulture-grade 100–200 mesh (75–150 micron) particle size, and pack it as a clean, single-ingredient soil amendment. There are no fillers, no synthetic NPK boosters and no compost extenders — only finely powdered volcanic stone, ready to slowly remineralise the limited soil volume of an indoor pot.

Why a 250g Starter Shot?

A potted houseplant lives in a closed mineral system. Unlike soil in the open ground, container substrate cannot draw fresh nutrients from underlying bedrock or from the slow movement of groundwater. Within a few months of repotting, the trace minerals in any commercial mix begin to deplete — and a plant that looks fine on the surface may already be running on an empty mineral bank account. The Starter Shot is sized to amend roughly 4 to 6 small to medium pots, enough for a starter shelf, a propagation setup or a single prized specimen. It lets you test the philosophy on plants you already own, observe the change in leaf rigidity and colour over six to eight weeks, and decide for yourself whether mineral-led care belongs in your routine.

Typical Mineral Profile (Deccan Basalt)

• Silica (SiO₂): 42–50% — strengthens cell walls, supports stomatal regulation and acts as a botanical bodyguard against abiotic stress.
• Alumina (Al₂O₃): 12–16% — contributes to soil buffering and structural stability of the substrate.
• Iron Oxide (Fe₂O₃): 10–15% — essential for chlorophyll synthesis and electron transport.
• Calcium Oxide (CaO): 8–12% — critical for cell division and the structural skeleton of the plant.
• Magnesium Oxide (MgO): 5–10% — the central atom of the chlorophyll molecule itself.
• Trace Elements: 1–2% — the catalytic spectrum that powers enzymatic reactions and natural plant immunity.

This profile reflects typical Deccan basalt; it is offered as a slow, broad-spectrum mineral reservoir, not as a quick-acting NPK substitute.

The Silica Story for Indoor Plants

Indoor environments quietly stress plants — air-conditioned dryness, inconsistent watering, low light angles and the occasional spider mite outbreak all add up. Silica, abundant in basalt, is increasingly recognised as a key element in helping plants tolerate this kind of abiotic stress. It reinforces cell walls, helps regulate stomatal closure during heat or drought, and improves overall water-use efficiency. For collectors of variegated aroids — Monstera Albo, Thai Constellation, variegated Philodendrons — silica's role in supporting structurally weaker, low-chlorophyll tissue is particularly compelling.

How to Use the Starter Shot

Mineral Matrix is designed to be effortless. There are three simple ways to deploy your 250g Starter Shot:

1. Top-Dress (easiest): Sprinkle approximately 1 teaspoon per 6-inch pot onto the surface of the soil and water in. Repeat every 2–3 months.
2. Mix into Substrate (best): When repotting, blend approximately 1 tablespoon per litre of potting mix. Stir through evenly before planting.
3. Propagation Boost: Add a pinch to fresh sphagnum or substrate when potting up rooted cuttings to give new roots immediate access to trace minerals.

Mineral Matrix is non-burning and pH-neutral to mildly basic. It will not scorch roots, cannot be over-applied in the way synthetic fertilisers can, and is fully compatible with your existing fertiliser routine — think of it as the mineral foundation beneath whatever liquid feed you already use.

Best For

• Aroids: Monstera, Philodendron, Anthurium, Alocasia, Syngonium
• Hoyas and other epiphytes
• Ficus, Calatheas and tropical foliage
• Edibles on the balcony: tomatoes, chillies, herbs
• Succulents and caudiciforms (in lower doses)

The Living Soil Philosophy

Rock dust does its best work in the company of biology. The organic acids released by microbes, worms and mycorrhizae slowly etch minerals out of basalt particles and make iron, magnesium and calcium bioavailable to roots. If you already use worm castings, compost or a biological inoculant, Mineral Matrix completes the loop — it is the mineral reservoir that feeds the microbes that feed the plant. This is the heart of what we call Living Soil: the partnership between rock, life and root.

Sourcing, Processing and Compliance

Every batch is sourced from verified Deccan basalt quarries, micronised on calibrated mills to a 100–200 mesh consistency, and sieved for uniform particle size. The product is dried to remove residual moisture and screened to remove foreign matter. We adhere to the safety standards laid out under India's Fertilizer Control Order (FCO) framework for soil conditioners and mineral amendments, including limits on heavy metals such as Arsenic, Cadmium, Chromium, Mercury and Lead.

Handling & Safety

Mineral Matrix is a fine mineral powder. As with any rock dust, please avoid inhaling the dust during application — we recommend wearing a simple dust mask when mixing larger volumes, applying outdoors or in a well-ventilated space, and washing hands after use. Keep out of reach of children and pets. The product itself is non-toxic and pet-safe once applied to soil.

Pack Details

• Net Weight: 250 g
• Particle Size: 100–200 mesh (approx. 75–150 microns)
• Origin: Deccan Traps, India
• Ingredients: 100% micronised basalt rock dust. No additives.
• Shelf Life: Indefinite when stored dry and sealed.

The Lithic Edit Promise

We started The Lithic Edit because India sits on one of the world's great mineral inheritances, and yet urban plant parents have been served either bulk quarry sweepings or expensive imported rock dust. Mineral Matrix is our answer: a clean, standardised, beautifully packed Indian basalt for Indian indoor jungles. The Starter Shot is the smallest and most generous version of that promise — enough to convince a sceptic, small enough to fit on a shelf, honest enough to recommend to a friend.