<![CDATA[Optimizing growing media quality is essential for vegetative growth of geranium (Pelargonium hortorum), particularly under limited substrate volume in pot cultivation. Rice husk-based substrates are widely used in Indonesia due to their availability and low cost; however, their high C/N ratio may induce nitrogen immobilization and restrict plant growth. In addition, eco-enzyme application has the potential to accelerate organic matter decomposition and nutrient mineralization, thereby reducing the adverse effects of high C/N ratios and improving nitrogen availability for plant growth. A factorial completely randomized design was used to evaluate three eco-enzyme concentrations (0, 15, and 30 mL L⁻¹) and three substrate compositions of cocopeat, goat manure, and rice husk biochar (1:1:0, 1:1:1, and 1:1:2). Data were analyzed using ANOVA and Tukey’s HSD test (p ≤ 0.05). Increasing the proportion of rice husk biochar reduced bulk density and increased total porosity and air space relative to lower biochar proportions, whereas water-holding capacity decreased. Eco-enzyme application accelerated organic matter decomposition, as indicated by reduced organic matter content and C/N ratio, while stabilizing growing media pH within the near-neutral range by the end of the experiment. Application of 30 mL L⁻¹ eco-enzyme to the medium balanced composition (1:1:1) increased plant height, number of leaves, leaf area, dry weight, and water use efficiency up to 55.2% compared to the control media. Thus, the experiment proves the synergistic effect of eco-enzyme treatment and organic substrate composition on improving the quality of the growing media and promoting vegetative growth in a limited amount of substrate.]]>
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