FAQs
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Omni Ecosystems is a soil science–driven company that creates and supplies growth media for the built environment. The company’s signature product Omni Infinity Media enables vegetation, stormwater management, and ecological performance in places where conventional soils cannot—such as rooftops and constrained or contaminated sites.

Omni Ecosystems is a small, woman-owned business that started in an apartment and grew independently by reinvesting in itself, without relying on venture capital or private equity. Founded in 2009 in Chicago by Molly Meyer, the company built its reputation through hands-on projects, deep soil science, and a lot of persistence. Michael Repkin’s research developed Omni’s core products. Michael Davenport’s years of field work with Omni Infinity Media guides customers on its technical applications. Shane McGowan oversees production and logistics to ensure quality.

Omni Infinity Media is a lightweight, high-porosity, biologically-active growth media designed to grow healthy soil ecosystems over time. It supports vegetation while providing long-term stormwater storage, infiltration, and ecosystem services in extreme or constrained environments.

Unlike conventional blended soils, Omni Infinity Media grows into soil in place. A highly-porous geologic material called GEO is placed as a thick base layer, and a highly-biodiverse community of microorganisms called BIO are thinly sprinkled on top. The microorganisms grow soil on the GEO, turning the sterile rock into a living soil that can support healthy plant growth for the long term.

Omni Infinity Media consists of two distinct layers:

GEO: a lightweight, mineral substrate that provides long-term porosity and stormwater storage, and

BIO: a thin biological layer containing a diverse microbial consortium that initiates soil formation.

Maintaining distinct soil horizons mimics natural soil systems. This structure prevents organic matter from clogging deeper pore space and keeps biological activity concentrated where plants benefit most. This means that porosity, infiltration, vegetative growth, and soil health all improve rather than degrade over time in Omni Infinity Media.

After installation, microbes in the BIO layer interact with plant roots, water, and minerals. Over approximately 18–24 months, a stable topsoil horizon develops in the top 2” of GEO, and roots grow throughout the GEO layer.

The media provides high void space and permeability, allowing it to store and infiltrate significantly more stormwater per inch of depth than conventional bioretention soils. Omni Infinity Media has been used to meet or exceed regulatory requirements for detention, retention, and volume control in multiple jurisdictions. Learn more about OIM’s use for stormwater.

Yes. Its long-term porosity and permeability and resistance to clogging make it especially effective for bioswales, rain gardens, and other bioinfiltration and bioretention applications. Learn more about OIM’s use for stormwater.

Yes. It was originally developed for rooftop environments and is widely used on extensive and intensive green roofs, podium decks, and rooftop landscapes. Learn more about OIM’s use on extensive green roofs and intensive green roofs.

It is significantly lighter than conventional soils in both dry and saturated conditions, making it ideal for weight-restricted structures. Its low weight at full saturation allows it to support lawns, trees, and landscape features where traditional soil mixes would exceed structural limits. Explore OIM’s use on the Carle Foundation Hospital.

Yes. It can be installed over engineered barriers or existing caps without disturbing contaminated soils, thereby reducing excavation, disposal costs, and health risks. Explore OIM’s use on The Salt Shed.

While it is not marketed as a remediation product, research shows its microbial community includes species associated with the breakdown of hydrocarbons and other pollutants, suggesting potential ancillary benefits. We are actively looking for engineer and scientist collaborators to explore these potential uses.

More than 1,000 plant taxa—including native grasses, perennials, shrubs, and trees—have been successfully grown in Omni Infinity Media. Explore the full list here.

Yes. The biologically rich soil system supports diverse plant communities, insects, and microbial life, contributing to urban habitat creation. Explore OIM’s use at Studio Gang Architects.

Irrigation is typically required during plant establishment, especially when growing from seed. Depending on climate, site conditions, and planting design, many systems become low-input or irrigation-free once established. Read the installation instructions and maintenance guidelines here.

Enter the depth and area of your project in the calculator here, and it will convert into the number of units of each material you will need. Feel free to reach out to us with questions!

GEO comes in 4-cf bags or 64-cf supersacks. BIO comes in 0.75-cf bags. This document outlines product information for logistics planning. Feel free to reach out to us with questions!

GEO is watered and poured out of its bags or supersacks into place at the specified depth and graded as needed. BIO is applied evenly on top at ¼" depth and is not mixed in. Seed and a slow-release fertilizer can then be scattered on top. If starting from live plants, live plants are typically installed directly into the GEO just before applying BIO, slow-release fertilizer, and mulch. Read installation instructions here.

Maintenance focuses on vegetation health rather than soil replacement. As ecosystems mature, maintenance needs often decrease compared to conventional landscapes. Read maintenance guidelines here.

Yes. Omni Infinity Media contains no peat.

Yes. Omni Infinity Media is available throughout the United States, with GEO regionally sourced to reduce shipping impacts. GEO is sourced within 250 miles of about 90% of the US population.

Architects, civil engineers, environmental engineers, green roof designers, landscape architects, and property owners have specified Omni Infinity Media.

General contractors, green infrastructure installers, green roof installers, landscape contractors, roofing contractors, and property owners have installed Omni Infinity Media.

Green infrastructure maintenance providers, green roof maintenance providers, landscape contractors, roofing contractors, rooftop farmers, and property owners have maintained landscapes using Omni Infinity Media.

The system has been installed on projects since 2006, with long-term performance documented on sites more than a decade old. See pictures of the WFYI project that was built in 2013.

Omni Ecosystems does not issue stand-alone warranties. Instead, any warranty is described in Omni's Standard Terms & Conditions of Sale found here.

Resellers of Omni Infinity Media may provide a warranty, for example as part of a single-source warranty, when materials are purchased through them.

Yes, we offer complimentary presentations to industry professionals. For contractors, we provide free remote installation and/or maintenance training sessions. Reach out to us to schedule a training.

Yes, we offer complimentary presentations to industry professionals. For engineers & designers, we offer a ‘lunch and learn’ style presentation on Omni Infinity Media, however we do not provide AIA/CEU credits. Reach out to us today to schedule a learning session.

Omni Ecosystems works with project teams to discuss project constraints, performance goals, and regulatory requirements to help you determine fit. Reach out to us today!