​As controlled environment agriculture (CEA) continues to scale, growers are re-evaluating one of the most critical and often overlooked inputs in their production systems: the growing media. Rising costs, concerns about raw material availability, food safety expectations, and the push for automation are reshaping how growers view substrates.
In this context, Jiffy Gel stands out as a new generation solution designed specifically for the realities of modern greenhouse and indoor production.
​Jiffy Gel is a bio-based, biodegradable hydrogel substrate engineered to provide consistent moisture distribution, stable nutrient availability, and uniform root development, all essential factors in high-density greenhouse and indoor farming environments. Rather than fibrous peat or traditional loose media, Jiffy Gel uses refined gel technology that supports strong root growth and crop performance while aligning with food safety and operational needs.
​Designed for Consistency and Automation
​One of the biggest challenges growers face today is achieving reliable, repeatable results at scale. Jiffy Gel helps address this by offering:
- Homogeneous structure, reducing variability between plugs
- High water-holding capacity, supporting steady moisture management
- Strong root anchoring and development, critical for transplant success
- Clean handling and automation-friendly use, ideal for modern propagation lines
Because Jiffy Gel can be supplied as ready-to-use prefilled trays or produced on-site by mixing the dry formulation with water, growers gain flexibility while maintaining consistent quality standards.
Another topic is food safety, as it is a growing focus for CEA growers, particularly those producing leafy greens, herbs, and other fresh foods consumed raw. Traditional substrates can introduce risks during sourcing, transport, or handling.
Jiffy Gel is made using inert, food-grade inputs and manufacturing processes designed to minimize contamination risk. By reducing one potential upstream risk point, Jiffy Gel supports growers’ broader food safety strategies and aligns with retailer and consumer expectations.
​A Forward-Looking Answer to Substrate Challenges
​Looking toward 2026 and beyond, substrate availability and pricing volatility remain top concerns across the industry. Growers are increasingly seeking alternatives that offer supply stability, predictable performance, and sustainability benefits. Jiffy Gel responds to these challenges with:
- A bio-based formulation that reduces dependence on constrained raw materials
- Lower transport and storage complexity, especially when produced on-site
- Biodegradability, helping reduce waste management challenges
This makes Jiffy Gel not just an alternative substrate, but a future-ready growing media aligned with evolving production and sustainability goals.
​Explore Jiffy Gel Live at Key Industry Events
If you are curious about how Jiffy Gel performs and want to speak with Jiffy experts in person, there are two major industry events coming up in 2026 where you can dive deeper:
​Fruit Logistica — 4-6 of February, Berlin, Germany
Fruit Logistica brings together the global fresh produce value chain, from growers and breeders to technology providers and retailers. It is a key meeting point for those focused on innovation, sustainability, and efficiency in horticulture. At the event, visitors can explore how Jiffy Gel supports modern propagation strategies and responds to evolving substrate challenges in greenhouse and CEA production. You can find us in hall 1.2, stand no. A-02
Indoor Ag Con — 11-12 of March, Las Vegas, USA
Indoor Ag-Con is the leading event dedicated exclusively to controlled environment agriculture, vertical farming, and advanced greenhouse systems. In 2026, Jiffy Gel will be featured not only on the show floor, but also as a finalist in the Indoor Ag-Con Innovation Awards, recognizing technologies that are shaping the future of indoor and greenhouse growing. Being selected as an Innovation Award finalist highlights Jiffy Gel’s relevance for today’s CEA growers, particularly in areas such as:
- Substrate consistency and repeatability
- Food safety-focused production
- Automation-ready propagation systems
- Future-oriented substrate alternatives
​ You can find us at booth 425.
At both events, attendees will have the opportunity to connect with Jiffy experts, discuss practical applications, and explore how gel-based substrates can fit into different growing systems and crop strategies.
​Let’s work together
Jiffy is a leading global supplier of premium growing media and solution thinking. We aim to serve you, our customers in plant propagation and cultivation, to achieve better results with fewer worries. We do this by continually improving, innovating, and working toward our common goals, based on scientific research, teamwork, and decades of experience. Let’s develop sustainable plant growing solutions together: Let’s start today!
