Little crystals are added to water (distilled is recommended so that the crystals stay clear) and it gels up; it looks like someone stirred up a bowl of jello that was set. The crystals stay jelled and can be used to grow plants without soil. (Our daughter used it for a science project to show root development from bulbs. You could see right into the jar, right through the crystals). This is a nice product to arrange flowers in and can be used with confetti mixed in with the crystals for a pretty centerpiece (seen it featured at a Bridal show with gold doves mixed in with the crystals, placed in a big crystal bowl with roses and candles "floating" in the top). The crystals can be colored with food coloring for yet another variation. One 1oz package makes approximately one gallon of Crystal Water.