Best Soil for Succulents & Sempervivums: Give Your Plants the Perfect Home
- Seedhouseplants
- Apr 16
- 2 min read
Updated: May 21
Let’s talk dirty, or more specifically soil, try to restrain your excitement! When growing succulents and sempervivums, choosing the right type of soil is one of the best things you can do for their health. Get it right, and you’ve got strong roots, happy leaves, and a thriving plant. Get it wrong, and let’s just say soggy soil is the fast track to a sad succulent.
So, what kind of soil do these drought-lovers actually need?
Why Regular Potting Soil Doesn’t Work
Standard potting compost holds onto moisture, which is great for most houseplants, but not for succulents. These plants are used to dry, gritty environments, where water drains fast, and roots don’t sit around getting soggy. That’s why a fast-draining, gritty mix is essential. The right soil mimics their natural habitat and keeps rot away.
Looking to grow or repot your collection? Check out our succulents and sempervivums here!
The Best Soil for Succulents and Sempervivums
Your go-to mix should be:
• Free-draining – no soggy bottoms here!
• Low in organic matter – less compost, more grit.
• Airy and light – so roots can breathe and grow.
Ingredients to Look For:
• Cactus compost – a good base mix.
• Perlite – helps with drainage and airflow.
• Horticultural grit or coarse sand – adds structure and keeps things nice and loose.
You can buy pre-made succulent soil, or mix your own: try 2 parts cactus compost, 1 part perlite, and 1 part grit.
Prefer to get that gritty good stuff pre-made and delivered straight to your door? Check out our peat free Gritty Potting Mix here!
Quick Soil Checklist 🌱
✔ Use a cactus or succulent-specific compost
✔ Mix in perlite or horticultural grit for drainage and airflow
✔ Avoid regular potting compost - too much moisture!
✔ Top with decorative gravel - looks great and keeps gnats away.
✔ Let soil dry fully between waterings
Final Thoughts
Succulents and sempervivums are hard little things, but they really shine when their roots have the right base. With the perfect soil mix, you'll be setting your plants up for success with less fuss, fewer pests, and way more thriving!
Ready to repot or start fresh? Shop our gorgeous succulents and sempervivums today!
Happy potting on! 🌿
Comments