Beautifully grown succulents add class to your indoors. They are easy to grow as well. However, they could be quite picky at times. Contrary to other indoor plants, succulent soil needs to be special with the proper mixture of different types of soil.
Whether you are new to gardening or spend years with it, getting the preparation right for succulents for the first time is its own kind of adventure. The point here to note is that nothing impacts your succulent growth other than the type of soil used.
The Best Succulent Soil
These little beauties can’t go really well along with the ordinary gardening soil. Succulents are native to deserts. Therefore, the best grow in desert soil or a soil recipe nearest to that.
Choosing to add the right soil mixture for your succulent container is crucial. One of the main issues people face in caring for indoor succulents is overwatering. It is, in fact, the number one reason of succulents’ death.
The best succulent soil is a well-deained potting mix. To prevent the consequences of overwatering, it is important to use a mixture of good porous soil.
How to Make Succulent Soil at Home
If you have indoor succulents and like to see them bloom and grow, you can prepare succulent soil at home. It is inexpensive and easy to mix up.
To make your own succulent soil, you need three ingredients.
- Potting soil
- Coarse sand, poultry grit, turface
- Perlite or Pumice
Potting Soil
As a base of your succulent soil, you need potting soil. You can use any type of potting soil for indoor plants. However, make sure this soil is fresh and sterile. For a good soil mix for your succulents, use light and porous soil as a base.
One thing to remember; do not use heavy garden soils. Moreover, don’t use a potting mixture that contains vermiculite (hydrous phyllosilicate) or any type of soil mixture that says it helps in retaining water. It is important because succulents need well-draining soil.
Coarse Sand
Porous sandy soil is best for succulents to grow. Therefore, amending your succulent soil mix with sand is very important. Although any type of sand would work, using coarse sand instead of fine stuff will ensure fast water drainage from succulents.
Just make sure not to use sand from the beach, garden, or sandboxes as you don’t know what type of impurities this sand might have.
If you don’t want to use sand for some reason, you can try using poultry grit or turface. These both act as a great alternative to sand in this succulent soil mix.
Pumice or Perlite
Perlite is a lightweight organic soil amendment. It consists of white pieces that look like Styrofoam that we usually see in commercial potting mixes. It is a good choice for succulent soil mix as it is known for retaining very little moisture, prevents soil compaction, and allows better drainage for succulents. Pumice helps in a similar manner.
Supplies Needed
Along with the three ingredients, you will need some other supplies as well. These tools will help in measuring and mixing, so nothing fancy. You need:
- Measuring container
- Trowel
- Mixing container
DIY Succulent Soil Recipe
Now, here is the perfect recipe for a great draining succulent soil mix.
- Potting soil 3 parts
- Coarse sand (poultry grit or turface) 2 parts
- Perlite (or pumice) 1 part
If you are thinking about what is a part, let me clear this point. Apart here is referred to as a unit measure to use for the ratio. You can use anything you have or prefer. However, you can use the same measuring tool/part/utensil for every ingredient.
For instance, if you are using a scoop to measure 1 part, use the same scoop for the other two ingredients.
How to Mix Potting Soil for Succulents?
This is the easiest part of making succulent soil. All you have to do is to dump all three ingredients in a container (after properly measuring them). You can use anything for mixing like a potting try or an ordinary bucket - anything. Now, stir all ingredients together.
With the help of your hands or trowel, mix it. Make sure that all ingredients are mixed evenly once you are done. Voila! Your perfect potting succulent soil for your indoor beauties.
The Last Words
So, this is an easy succulent soil mixture you can use for your indoor succulents and see them thrive. You can prepare a large batch and then store leftover soil for later use. You can store it anywhere at room temperature.
