Soil can make or break a succulent houseplant’s health and beauty. Selecting the right soil is essential if you want to keep your succulent thriving.
Succulents are essentially desert plants, so they need soil that’s not over-saturated with moisture. A well-draining soil is the ideal environment for succulents. It should be light, airy, and hold a small amount of water without becoming soggy. This can be accomplished by mixing together a soil-based potting mix with sand, perlite, or a combination.
To create the perfect succulent soil blend, start by purchasing a peat free compost, ideally without fertiliser, as succulents prefer low nutrient soils. Then, mix in sand or grit to improve the soil’s drainage and break up any small clumps that may be present in the potting mix. Finally, add a handful of perlite to lighten the texture and increase drainage. The aim is a gritty, free-draining mix about 50% soil and 50% sand or perlite.
When the soil is thoroughly mixed, it’s ready for your succulent. If possible, use a pot with a drainage whole to make sure the container allows excess water to drip away. If not make sure to add extra grit to the mix and include a layer of stones at the base to allow some water to soak away.
Overall, create a soil mix that has great drainage, succulents are always better on the dry side. If you don’t fancy making your own soil mix, we succulent mixes available in our shop, 100% plastic free! With the right soil and healthy dose of care, your succulents are sure to thrive!
In Summary:
· Succulent love free draining soils
· Use a peat compost and plenty of grit
· Include stones at the base, as a soakaway
I enclose a care sheet with every order and if you have any other questions, feel free to message us!
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