Soil for Succulents - Ask Extension
I hate to bother you but would you mind giving me a simple recipe for making proper soil for succlents including the ingedients and the ratios.
Thank...
Knowledgebase
Soil for Succulents #781789
Asked February 13, 2022, 1:29 AM EST
I hate to bother you but would you mind giving me a simple recipe for making proper soil for succlents including the ingedients and the ratios.
Thank you very much, Duane Vlark, Florence, Or
Lane County Oregon
Expert Response
We are here to help you. No bother, in fact, a pleasure. There are basically succulents which come from desert or semidesert areas and those which come from colder climates on sunny rocky slopes and ledges. All require excellent sharp drainage.
Making your succulent soil only requires three ingredients. Most importantly, they can be easily found in home improvement stores and garden centers. The ingredients for your succulent soil mix are potting soil, coarse sand and perlite or pumice.
Potting soil:
As much as possible, look for light, porous soil. Avoid using heavy garden soils and don’t choose the ones which contain vermiculite, or other kinds of moisture control. You need to remember that succulents require a potting soil mix that can drain well and not a soil that can keep moisture.
Coarse sand:
Avoid using sand that comes from the beach, garden, or a sandbox. If sand is not available or you don’t want to use sand, then you can always use turface or poultry grit as an alternative.
Perlite or pumice:
Perlite provides better drainage and holds little moisture which is perfect for your succulents. Just like potting soil, perlite or pumice can be bought in home improvement stores or garden centers. If you can’t find it in these stores, then you can purchase them online. Aside from these three ingredients, you also need some supplies for mixing and measuring your ingredients. You will be needing a trowel, a measuring container, and a mixing container for the ingredients.
Recipe for Soil: The ideal recipe for a succulent potting soil is three parts of potting soil, one part of perlite or pumice, and two parts of coarse sand. This is just the basic recipe however you can alter it if you want. If you want to make a cactus potting soil mix, then just add one half or one part of sand and perlite for additional drainage. Part usually refers to the type of measurement that you use. For instance, if you are using a cup, then one part would mean one cup, two parts mean two cups, and three parts would refer to three cups.
Making your succulent soil only requires three ingredients. Most importantly, they can be easily found in home improvement stores and garden centers. The ingredients for your succulent soil mix are potting soil, coarse sand and perlite or pumice.
Potting soil:
As much as possible, look for light, porous soil. Avoid using heavy garden soils and don’t choose the ones which contain vermiculite, or other kinds of moisture control. You need to remember that succulents require a potting soil mix that can drain well and not a soil that can keep moisture.
Coarse sand:
Avoid using sand that comes from the beach, garden, or a sandbox. If sand is not available or you don’t want to use sand, then you can always use turface or poultry grit as an alternative.
Perlite or pumice:
Perlite provides better drainage and holds little moisture which is perfect for your succulents. Just like potting soil, perlite or pumice can be bought in home improvement stores or garden centers. If you can’t find it in these stores, then you can purchase them online. Aside from these three ingredients, you also need some supplies for mixing and measuring your ingredients. You will be needing a trowel, a measuring container, and a mixing container for the ingredients.
Recipe for Soil: The ideal recipe for a succulent potting soil is three parts of potting soil, one part of perlite or pumice, and two parts of coarse sand. This is just the basic recipe however you can alter it if you want. If you want to make a cactus potting soil mix, then just add one half or one part of sand and perlite for additional drainage. Part usually refers to the type of measurement that you use. For instance, if you are using a cup, then one part would mean one cup, two parts mean two cups, and three parts would refer to three cups.
This is exactly what I have been looking for. Thank you very much, Patricia
You are most welcome.
