Since these exotic succulents aren’t used to standard potting soil, they really need a specialized succulent or cactus mix to thrive. You can easily grab a bag of this at the store, but it’s also super simple to whip up your own custom blend at home!
Succulent Soil: The Perfect Recipe
Succulents have very different needs than your average houseplant—they crave lots of sun but very little water and nutrients. Because of this, standard “all-purpose” potting soil just won’t cut it. In fact, using regular soil can actually cause these water-storing plants to waste away, and you’ll likely miss out on their beautiful blooming phase entirely.
As desert beauties, succulents require a “lean” and well-draining substrate. High permeability is non-negotiable; you want to make sure water flows right through so it doesn’t sit around the roots. Standing water is a one-way ticket to root rot! Additionally, the soil shouldn’t be too nutrient-rich, as overfeeding can actually stress the plant.
DIY Guide: How to Mix Your Own Succulent Soil
To mimic the gritty, porous earth these drought experts enjoy in their natural habitats, you’ll want to stick to a specific ratio. Most hobby gardeners swear by this basic “golden rule” recipe:
- 2 parts organic seed-starting soil (available at garden centers or online)
- 2 parts inorganic, fine-grained additives
If you want to try a different variation, you can mix 3 parts cactus soil with 2 parts expanded clay or lava granulate and 1 part lime-free quartz sand. For those who want to give their “succulent royalty” a premium experience, try mixing 3 parts fine potting soil with 1 part coconut coir, 1 part Seramis (clay granules), and 1 part quartz sand or zeolites.
Customizing for Specific Succulent Needs
If you’re growing a particularly tall or majestic succulent, try adding a handful of loamy garden soil to the mix to give the plant more stability. On the other hand, epiphytic succulents (like leaf cacti) that originate from rainforest regions will thank you if you mix in some fine pine bark or acidic leaf compost.
If you are planting your succulents outdoors in a garden bed, make sure to line the bottom of the planting hole with a layer of coarse gravel to boost drainage. You can also spread a layer of pebbles around the base of the plant’s rosette after planting to help prevent rot at the surface.
Pro Tip: Most succulents you buy at big-box stores come planted in cheap, standard potting soil. To give them the best start, repot them into a proper gritty mix as soon as you get them home!
