This is ideal for succulents. There are simple feel tests and jar tests you can do at home to estimate the texture of your soil. This will ensure rapid drainage and keep your succulents from rotting in soggy soil.
Here you'll find a side by side comparison of some commercial succulent soils. We tested each for field capacity i. All were in plastic pots with drainage holes under the same indoor light conditions with moderate airflow. There's no one right soil for every grower and each of these options can be amended to fit your needs. Regular potting soil isn't the best choice for easy succulent cultivation, but with a couple of precautions you can make it work. Potting soil is mostly organic materials like bark, peat moss, and compost.
It has a dense structure and it takes a while for it to dry. But if regular potting soil is all that's available, here's how to make it work for succulents.
First, pick the lightest mixture you can find and avoid any with vermiculite or moisture retaining crystals. Also, be sure to use a container with a drainage hole…or three.
And lastly, water less frequently so the mix has time to dry. And if you really want to turn standard potting soil into a rapidly-draining succulent soil, mix a or even ratio of potting soil to mineral grit. With a name like "Cactus Mix", I expected better drainage from this soil. While it drained excess water well initially, it took the most time to dry of all the samples tested.
It has some pumice for drainage, but mostly it's comprised of forest products, compost, and worm casings. That said, Black Gold Cactus Mix is not a bad soil. It could be the right soil for pots in hot climates, for thinner leaved succulents like hardy Sedum , or for growers who rarely remember to water.
Those looking for truly rapid drainage, however, might want to look elsewhere. This mix has an organic base of forest products and peat moss with both sand and perlite added. It drains well and has a bit of added Nitrogen, Potassium, and Phosphorous—enough to encourage growth, but not enough to burn vulnerable plants. The peat does make it somewhat difficult to rehydrate after the soil has completely dried more on that below. This is a nice, standard mix for growers who know how to gauge when a container of succulents needs water.
Those who tend to over-water or are trying to grow extra low-water plants like cacti should amend it. You can turn this into a grade A soil by mixing it with an equal volume of mineral materials. This soil is in a whole different league in terms of price and performance. It is only available online and the price includes the cost of shipping.
It has a radically different makeup than the other products analyzed, namely calcined clay and fine particles of pine bark. This super light, gritty mix has giant pores that keep it from ever retaining too much water. When used in a pot with drainage holes, it is nearly impossible to over-water your plants.
For succulent newcomers, cactus growers, or loving plant parents who sometimes water too often, Bonsai Jack soil is worth the price. I tried this mix one winter when low airflow in my apartment turned my succulents into breeding grounds for fungus gnats.
Now I use it year-round. Water the entire top surface of the soil to ensure maximum absorption. True, mixing your own succulent soil is a little more involved. But, it's a great way to save money and get the perfect soil blend for your particular varieties and growing conditions. Think of this as a general, all-purpose recipe. It will work indoors or outdoors, in containers or in the ground, and can be adapted based on your environment and the materials available.
To make a balanced succulent soil, mix one part organic materials from the left column with two parts mineral materials from the right. You can pick one from each side or mix and match multiple ingredients. There are seemingly endless varieties of potting soil on the market.
Check the ingredients so you know exactly what you're getting and whether it contributes to moisture retention or drainage.
Avoid peat-based potting mixes more on that below. For a well-draining soil, it's important to use a coarse grit like builder's sand. Additionally, do not use beach sand as it can desiccate succulents with salt. This natural, volcanic glass makes a soil light and airy.
Just don't confused it with vermiculite, which retains moisture instead of draining it. Rinsing removes fine dust particles that can clog soil pores and reduce drainage. Gravel should be mixed into your soil, not layered at the bottom of a non-draining pot where it can lead to rot.
Diotamaceous earth, chicken grit, decomposed granite, and non-soluble cat litter or oil dry both are calcined moler clay can be substituted in equal volumes. Soil requirements for succulents planted in the ground are less strict than those for container plantings.
Ideally, even landscape succulents would be in a gritty, sandy loam with a gravel mulch. The nature of outdoor conditions, however, means you can get away with a less than perfectly draining soil. Do succulents and cacti need a special kind of soil? The dangers of moist soil. Defining quick-draining soil. So, how do we get this quick-draining soil?
What to look for when buying succulent and cactus soil? Here are some common ones to check for: Coconut coir Peat moss Bark shreds Vermiculite Manure Straw Compost Sphagnum moss Clay If you see any of these in the ingredients list, think twice before buying. How to mix your own succulent and cactus soil. Any standard commercial potting soil works, we recommend you go with one of the ones marketed as succulent soil for a little extra boost.
Perlite is a relatively large particle made out of volcanic glass. Perlite encourages airflow in the soil, prevents soil compaction, and promotes drainage. However, in this context, grit us used to mean other inorganic particles of varying sizes. These varying sizes help to break up soil and prevent compaction. Get Student Loans Jun 02, Back to News. Sign me up! New products, updates, offers, ideas and more Enter your email Subscribe. Do you need any clarification or have any questions? Do you have a soil recipe you want to share?
Let us know in the comments below! Great advice…. I love your recipie for good potting mix. I tend to over water and have managed to kill quite a few succulents. The least I can do now is to 1 resist the impulse to water, and 2 use the right potting mix that will help the roots breathe better.
Thank you! And, oh my gosh, the right planter works too. The things we th out we knew are so different with succulents. Thanks for a great learning website. Some genus of succulents prefer shade, it seems. My zebra plant is very pale from being under a grow light. I would really like a quick easy guide to know which ones to combine in one pot to make a successful arrangement where everyone is happy with water and light!
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