A mixture of a carrier, a binder and additives is used for germinating units containing seeds or the like growth-suited parts of a plant, and the units are available either separately or coherently in form of seed or plant tapes. The carrier comprises one or more substances selected from the group consisting of vermiculite, perlite, zeolite, cellulose materials, burned clay, rock wool or the like substances. The binder comprises polyvinyl alcohol, polyethylene glycol or other plant-compatible binders, such as water or water-containing polysaccharides or mixtures thereof. The additives comprise plant protecting agents, plant nutrients, surfactants, water-absorbing substances, water-carrying substances and other additives with favourable effects on germination and plant growth.