A Thorough Guide On Succulent Soil (Soil Mix DIY Recipe & FAQs) Succulents are pretty and vibrant, but they can be picky at times. Unlike your average indoor plant, succulents are somewhat choosy with their soil, making them unique. Whether youโre an old pro to succulents or the new kid on the succulent- block, getting the preliminaries right the first time will go a long way in your juicy adventures. And nothing has more impact on growing succulents than the type of soil used.Succulents, these cute, green, little aliens, donโt get along too well with the mundane, conventional gardening soil. They think itโs overrated and boring, at least in its pure form.Though succulents thrive with neglect, why do they demand a more thought-out soil type? Letโs find out!If you donโt want to make your soil, we also suggest this great alternative: Image Popular Brand Rating Prime BuyBuy From Amazon Popular Brand Image Rating Prime BuyBuy From AmazonLast update on 2022-05-20 / Amazonperlite and soil @whitneykshafferThe Importance Of Succulent Soil MixThe word succulent means a plant possessing thick, fleshy stems and leaves primarily as an adaptation to store water. In other words, succulents are desert- denizens that have recently been tamed to spice up the living room dรฉcor by using minimalistic planters and their unique but beautiful looks.You see, it barely rains in the desert. And when it does, it poursโ quite literally. Succulents store this water in their leaves and stem for use in the subsequent weeks before it rains again. So for succulents, their roots donโt take up water all the time as they already have enough tucked away in their leaves. The type of soil found in the desert is sandy, and the hot weather helps the water drain quickly. Therefore, damp soil for succulents is dangerous as it may lead to root rot and pests, not to mention the fungal diseases that accompany wet soil.Creating the same condition for your succulent at home or office is critical. Making the right succulent potting mix is essential. Good soil accomplishes 3 things for a succulent:It provides nutrients, mostly in the form of nitrogen and phosphorous (N and P).It provides anchorage. The roots need soil with substance to be able to dig in and get a grip for stability.It absorbs and makes moisture available to the plant. Different soil types hold water for different lengths of time.So, how do we know what type of soil for succulents is?planting succulents @soymicroscopioWhat Is The Best Soil For Succulents Like?The biggest threat to succulent survival is root rot. It attacks the main channel for water and nutrient uptake of the plant leading to a weak, shriveled plant. Such a plantโs fate is almost sealed โdeath is inevitable.Planting your succulents in suitable soil canโt be stressed enough. A good succulent potting mix should have the following components:1. Well-DrainingIt had to be top of the list. (If you’ve been reading our recent articles, we mention this a lot because of how important it is). Succulents and damp soil are just a disastrous combination. What is soil drainage? Simply put, itโs how fast water leaves the soil. After you water a plant, some of that water should come out of the bottom of the pot, but most of it will stay in the soil. That water has to be taken up by the plant or evaporated into the air.When making your succulent potting mix, you want to have soil that will drain well and quickly. Loose and grainy soil is the perfect substrate for growing succulents.How do you know if the drainage is adequate?Your succulent soil should be dry within 1 to 1.5 days of watering as a rule of thumb. And I mean dry. Bone dry.Thereโs a quick way to test how dry the soil is. Stick your finger in the pot an inch or two into the ground. It should feel not only dry but also warm. If it feels โcoolโ at all, itโs probably slightly damp, and youโre misinterpreting the sensation. If your succulent has filled out the pot, it can be hard to check soil dampness, and the mass of roots could use more room. You may need to consider repotting your succulent.time to plant! @plantoolio2. Soil CompositionIn essence, the soil comprises two things โ organic matter and inorganic matter. (Actually, you could argue that everything in the universe is made up of those two things).Organic matter in this context means stuff that was once alive but is now dead. It can be in various stages of decomposition or just regular death. Some examples are:Compost Peat or sphagnum moss Manure Decomposing plants or animals Coconut coir Leaf or bark shredsInorganic matter, then, is everything that was never alive. In the case of dirt, it just means minerals. Soil is mainly made of varying clay, silt, and sand ratios.Add organic and inorganic matter together, and youโve got soil.The more organic matter in the soil, the more water it holds. See what Iโm getting at here? More organic matter means minor drainage (and wetter soil). It follows that succulents prefer soil that has very little organic matter.3. Good AerationThe roots need to have some space to breathe. This will make soil and nutrients absorption easier, but it will also create a sustainable environment for beneficial microorganisms in the soil.4. Non-Compacting and BreathableSticky and compact soil is terrible for succulents. The roots hate it because it retains moisture for long periods and makes it difficult for the plant to breathe.5. Excessive NutrientsThis sounds pretty weird, but itโs true. Soil containing too many nutrients, especially nitrogen, may lead to slight, brittle, and unpleasant plants. Nobody wants such kind of goofy-looking plants, do they?succulent soil @bloomedrootsSucculent Soil Mix DIY – Easy Tutorials To Follow Anywhere, Anytime1. What To Prepare:Gardening gloves to protect yourself from anything sharp (just in case)Measuring cup to make things easierA trowel โjust a fancy name for a small shovelA bucket, pail, or plastic binCommon gardening soilPerlite or Pumice to incorporate into the soil mixCoarse sand to also incorporate into the soil mix2. How To Make Succulent Soil Step-by-stepMaking your succulent mix at home or the office is fun. You get to decide just how grainy you want it to be (if you care about the aesthetics). Plus, itโs a lot cheaper than the regular commercial cacti mix sold in stores. And did I mention that the procedure is so accessible?A plethora of recipes for making succulent soil abound. However, weโll stick with the basic procedure that is super effective and works wonders every time for this guide! DIY time @plantannaplant2.1. The Ratio To Create Quality Potting Soil For SucculentsThe best mixing ratio of the three elements is two parts sand, two parts gardening soil, and one-part perlite or pumice. Translating this into cups makes it 3 cups of sand, 3 cups of soil, and 1.5 cups of perlite or pumice.The purpose of pumice or perlite is to aid in aeration and drainage. Pumice is particularly useful in holding together nutrients and moisture. Either can be used or, better yet, combining the two ingredients to end up with a rich potting mix.On the other hand, sand makes the potting mix less compact and increases drainage. As for the gardening soil, its primary role is to provide nutrients for the succulents.time to make your own @lowkey_plantobsessed2.2. Let’s Make The Best Soil For SucculentsPut on your gardening gloves, and letโs get to work!Start by slightly moistening the garden soil to prevent the dust from coming up the bucket or mixing container. Next, put in the sand and mix thoroughly. Doing this using hands is more effective. Lastly, scoop in the perlite or pumice. Give it a good stir until the mixture is uniform.Good job! You just made your very first succulent soil! I told you it was that easy. It’s just a matter of knowing what ingredients to include in your succulent soil allows your succulent to grow the best it can.You can use this soil for potting, repotting, and storing it for future use.If you ever find yourself where you donโt feel like mixing your own, there are lovely premixed soils you can always get as well.Tip: A neat trick before potting the succulents is to avoid getting the soil too moisturized. You can begin watering as usual once the soil dries out completely.ALSO READ:Best Soil for Succulents -Succulents Lovers Guide7 Mini Garden Hand Tools For Your Succulents|Succulent CityEssential Things to Consider Before Making a Succulent Terrarium4 Reasons Why Specialized Succulent Soil is the Best for Growing SucculentsSucculent Soil Typesperfect mix @vividrootBest Commercial Succulent SoilsIf you donโt feel like getting your hands dirty and mixing your soil, there are a couple great succulent and cacti mixes that are commercially available.Black Gold Cactus Mix by Sun Gro Horticulture is the gold standard of succulent soils. Itโs pretty incredible how well-balanced it is โ thereโs just enough organic material to fertilize the plant and plenty of inorganic stuff to balance it out and have excellent drainage. You canโt go wrong using this mix.Bonsai Jack Succulent and Cactus Gritty Mix is another fan favorite, but a little different. Itโs a โgritty mixโ with no organic matter and retains zero water. Itโs technically not even soil. Itโs fantastic for succulents, especially the picky ones, but you need to adapt your watering to accommodate a mix that holds not much water. Recommended for moderate to advanced growers.FAQs About Succulent Soil1. I am a beginner. Is there succulent soil for beginners? No ๐ This recipe is easy enough for everyone to follow. Leave a comment if you have any difficulties during the process.2. Can I use regular potting soil for succulents? Do succulents need special soil?Yes, you can. Regular potting soil is the same as succulent soil if you forget to water it regularly. The recipe is above in case you want to make your succulent soil.3. Do succulents like acidic soil?Yes, slightly acidic (5.5-6.5) is acceptable.4. Can I use succulent soil for other plants?Yes, but remember to water it regularly.Final WordsWas making succulent soil as hard as you thought it was? Let us know in the comments below. We want to hear your thoughts. For some more tips on succulent care, check out this article here!If there are some tips and tricks you want to share with our succulent friends, you should let us know in the Succulent Plant Lounge โ our exclusive Facebook group filled with a community of succulent lovers that chime in on each other’s posts, answering popular questions about succulents and giving their insights about tips and tricks for succulent care!Enjoyed learning about how to make your succulent soil yourself? If so, youโll want the ebook about The Best Soil Recommendations for Your Succulent. With this ebook, youโll find more detailed answers to help your succulent grow better! With thousands of succulent lovers enjoying our ebooks, you donโt want to miss out on what works the best to develop all types of succulents.Have fun and happy planting!?RelatedTweetPin1KShare382K SharesPost navigationAeonium Leucoblepharum Care Tips, Propagation & MoreBest Succulent Grow Lights (The Newest Selection For This Year) 21 thoughts on “A Thorough Guide On Succulent Soil (Soil Mix DIY Recipe & FAQs)”can the sand come right out of the yard?Log in to ReplyUsing garden soil or sand is not the best idea because it may contain pathogens which could harm your plants. Use a professional Cactus and Succulent mix from a hardware or garden supply store. You would have to sterilize and amend any cactus mix which you made directly from the sand in your yard. You have probably figured this all out by now, but keep it in mind for future reference.Log in to ReplyCourse sand is best. Just do not use a powdery type soil.Log in to ReplyMuy practico y economico. Gracias.Log in to ReplyGracias ๐Log in to ReplyIs it necessary to have sand in your soil? Can you use just perlite and or pea moss if other ingredients are not available.Log in to ReplyNot necessary but super recommended ๐ You can replace it, no problem.Log in to Replyis garden soil actual soil or is the soil used to make succulent soil a soiless soil?Log in to ReplyYour article was very helpful! Thanks!Log in to ReplyThanks for the recipe! My soil will be the gardening soil mix (50% soil, 50% compost) leftover from installing raised beds. My sand is something I bought (rather than use what’s in sandbox) and of course I also purchased the perlite.Log in to ReplyThat seems nice (y)Log in to ReplyI want cactus mix soil for succulent plantsLog in to ReplyJust follow the recipe I wrote in the article, mate ๐Log in to ReplyCan you use crushed lava rock in making the soil also?Log in to ReplyYes, it could be good for the soil, slowing down the erosion process and keeping nutrition deep down.Log in to ReplyCan you use sand from the actual beach?Log in to ReplyIt’s a No for me ๐Log in to ReplyThat salt in it will kill most plants unless they are halophites.Log in to ReplyTrue ๐Log in to ReplyI’ve read some where years ago ,that potted plants should be removed from their pots and the succulent soil replaced with a new batch of succulent soil every couple of years . Is this correct ??Some of my pots are about a metre tall . What would be the best soil to put in the bottom of the pot before I start to use my succulent mix.?Log in to ReplyYeah, it’s best for you to do that biannually. Repotting is good for your succulent’s health. You can read this post: https://succulentcity.com/repotting-succulents-the-right-way/ for more of the guidelines.Log in to ReplyLeave a Reply Cancel replyYou must be logged in to post a comment.This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.Connect with us on social!PinterestInstagramYouTubeFacebook
Using garden soil or sand is not the best idea because it may contain pathogens which could harm your plants. Use a professional Cactus and Succulent mix from a hardware or garden supply store. You would have to sterilize and amend any cactus mix which you made directly from the sand in your yard. You have probably figured this all out by now, but keep it in mind for future reference.Log in to Reply
Is it necessary to have sand in your soil? Can you use just perlite and or pea moss if other ingredients are not available.Log in to Reply
Thanks for the recipe! My soil will be the gardening soil mix (50% soil, 50% compost) leftover from installing raised beds. My sand is something I bought (rather than use what’s in sandbox) and of course I also purchased the perlite.Log in to Reply
Yes, it could be good for the soil, slowing down the erosion process and keeping nutrition deep down.Log in to Reply
I’ve read some where years ago ,that potted plants should be removed from their pots and the succulent soil replaced with a new batch of succulent soil every couple of years . Is this correct ??Some of my pots are about a metre tall . What would be the best soil to put in the bottom of the pot before I start to use my succulent mix.?Log in to Reply
Yeah, it’s best for you to do that biannually. Repotting is good for your succulent’s health. You can read this post: https://succulentcity.com/repotting-succulents-the-right-way/ for more of the guidelines.Log in to Reply