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I’ve finally developed the ideal succulent potting mix after years of experimenting. The best soil for succulents is this one, and it’s also quite simple to create. I’ll provide my recipe and step-by-step instructions for making your own succulent soil in this post.
I make my own succulent soil rather than buying it. Purchasing a commercial succulent potting mix would be significantly more expensive.
Additionally, I believe that commercial succulent soil mixes (at least the ones I’ve bought in the past) are low on sand and contain more water than I prefer.
What occurs when succulents are planted in normal potting soil?
In their natural habitat, succulents will flourish in sandy soil or even gravel. With this kind of soil, the succulent never has wet feet since the water can drain through.
- If you only have potting soil on hand, adding crushed stones or coarse sand will be essential because succulents demand well-drained soil.
- A succulent soil must be able to store nutrients and water and then release them when the plant requires them.
- To breathe and easily pierce the soil mixture, the roots need air pathways in the soil.
- A healthy soil should hold the succulent plant upright, encourage root expansion, and anchor the roots.
- A good succulent mixture should not contain an excessive amount of nitrogen because this will result in huge, leggy leaves.
Which types of soil are ideal for succulents?
Succulent soil is the basis for a plant’s ability to thrive, whether you are planting succulents outside or indoors. Larger soil particles are necessary for succulents to have a well-draining soil that allows water to enter quickly and drain away from the roots without compacting the soil. Use a soil test kit to verify the ideal soil for succulents and adjust the soil to a pH range of 6.0 to 6.5 before planting.
- Succulents prefer well-draining soil and have short root systems.
- The ideal soil is one that is nutrient-rich, loose, and rocky.
- Use a potting mix designed specifically for succulents and cacti when planting in containers, and place the plant in a pot with drainage holes at the bottom.
- Succulent plants could die off if their soil is too alkaline.
- Add soil amendments to the existing soil to make it more suitable for succulents’ needs.
Does topsoil work well with succulents?
These are some very fundamental DOs and DON’Ts when it comes to caring for succulents to ensure their happiness.
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Top Dressings
In your succulent pots, AVOID using moss. Although it is attractive, it retains moisture and fosters fungi and germs. Additionally, stay away from non-porous rocks like glass marbles, pea gravel, river rocks, fish rocks, sand, etc. As long as the soil has enough air to breathe, you can put a few rocks here and there as ornamentation.
USE TOP DRESSINGS THAT ALSO SERVE AS DRAINS. Shale, Turface, and pumice are my top choices. The Supplies page is a list of my shopping sources.
DO NOT utilise containers without drainage holes unless you only intend to use them for a short period of time. This applies to terrariums, jars, bowls, and mugs. And no, you cannot use them if you first fill them with soil and then place pebbles on the bottom. This fosters the growth of the bacteria that causes rot.
If there isn’t a hole in the bottom, drill it. If the container is non-porous or glazed, you should make enough holes with a ceramic or glass bit to allow the soil to dry out fast. Use a piece of screen, burlap, garlic net, or anything else that will keep the dirt in yet enable it to completely drain for larger holes.
Light
If your succulents aren’t used to full sun, DON’T expose them to it. Most people prefer part-sun over bright indirect sun. A succulent can be burned and killed when moved from partial to full sun.
Give your succulents as much light as they can handle, but do it gradually. Put your plant in a spot that receives a little more sun than it usually does, then move it over the course of a week or more to a brighter spot. Shelves, gardens, and windows facing north will all receive less light than those facing west. South receives a wonderful combination of east and west sun, while east-facing receives morning sun.
DON’T base the frequency of your irrigation on a schedule, but rather on how dry the soil surrounding the roots is. You could wish to repot in a different container with better draining soil if the soil doesn’t dry out within a week.
DON’T rule out using a smaller, more quickly drying pot. The best clay is unglazed and has drainage holes. Improve your soil by adding more drainage components than organic ones.
DO NOT use pre-bagged potting soil with additional fertiliser as it frequently lacks the proper nutritional balance for succulents and contains an excessive amount of organic material that causes the soil to dry out too rapidly.
DON’T use anything but ordinary topsoil and a tonne of drainage materials. Brown organic dirt should be present in the same quantity or less than the other ingredients. On the Care Guide page is my formula for soil.
DON’T assume the soil your plant was grown in is the best soil for that kind of succulent. Before bringing any plants home, make sure to check them for fungus and pests. Avoid purchasing plants that were housed with ill or infected plants, as well as those that have been treated with neonicotinoids or other insecticides that are harmful to the environment.
DO check the plants you’ve picked and the surrounding plants for insects and fungus before taking them inside. If necessary, and especially if the soil was moist when you acquired it, repot your succulents in good soil. Take care not to expose them to more sun than they are used to. Start with some light exposure and progressively increase it over the course of a week or longer.
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Can I grow succulents in sand?
While succulents can live in sand, only coarse sand will actually work. In fine sand, succulents won’t grow well, if at all, as it holds on to too much water, making it difficult for the roots to breathe.
Sand-grown succulents won’t receive as many nutrients as those raised in potting soil. So it makes sense to think about fertilising the succulent by incorporating diluted fertiliser with its watering schedule. This guarantees that the plant continues to receive the nutrients required for growth.
Making a sand and soil mix is the greatest alternative to growing your succulent in sand. The succulent benefits from having the best of both worlds since the sand ensures adequate water drainage and the soil supplies the plant with nutrients for growth.
Succulents – can they thrive in garden soil?
Some succulents that are grown in soil usually die because they are placed incorrectly. Planting succulents in full sun can kill them on a really hot day or if they’re still relatively little as many succulents prefer filtered light or a shady setting to grow happily.
Another explanation could be that the succulent you recently purchased was grown in a greenhouse and is not accustomed to direct sunlight. The fact that they are in ordinary garden soil has nothing to do with this, which occurs rather frequently.
The majority of these succulents grown in greenhouses will have burn marks on their leaves, but some may not recover and may even perish.
All of the sun-loving plants that we grow outdoors are highly hardy and have no trouble growing in the ground in direct sunshine, even during summer heat waves.
When succulents are not given enough water during summer heat waves and droughts, they may also perish. Large, mature plants should survive, but smaller succulent plants require watering when the soil is extremely dry.
Long-term dry spells can cause your soil to become hydrophobic, which means that watering won’t completely saturate the soil and the soil will lose its ability to hydrate. If you scratch the surface, the soil will be dust-dry and your plants won’t be receiving any water at all. The surface will look to be wet.
You can remedy this by rehydrating the dried-out soil and mulching the tops of your gardens. Succulents won’t be harmed by mulching.
If a succulent suddenly and mysteriously vanishes from its location, you might have a pest issue. Small succulents can be completely eaten away over night by large snails, slugs, and caterpillars. Succulents are also consumed by deer, possums, kangaroos, mice, and some birds (including chickens and ducks).
Succulents planted in pots with nothing but garden soil are unlikely to thrive and even risk dying, as was previously noted. Even while types with extreme hardiness, such Graptopetalum Paraguayense, can survive, we advise purchasing at least a basic potting mix. Succulent potting mix or high-quality, all-purpose well-draining mix ought to work if you want very beautiful plants in containers.
In conclusion, the vast majority of succulents will thrive when planted in regular garden soil, albeit if the soil is of low quality, they might not grow as quickly or fully. Succulents shouldn’t be grown in pots with nothing but garden soil, in our opinion.
How can I create homemade succulent soil?
The proportion needed to make top-notch potting soil for succulents. A mixture of two parts sand, two parts gardening soil, and one part perlite or pumice yields the best results when mixing the three components. This translates to 3 cups of sand, 3 cups of soil, and 1.5 cups of perlite or pumice when expressed in cups.
Do succulents grow in rocks?
It should be obvious that succulents will thrive when planted in rocks given these circumstances. They drain very well and do not retain water, which eliminates the possibility of root rot. This does not include another component of soil, though, since all plants need nutrients.
Although succulents are not particularly hungry plants, they do need certain nutrients to grow. Other micronutrients like zinc or iron are needed in smaller levels, whereas macronutrients like nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium are essential. The plant won’t grow at all or last very long without these nutrients.
By their very nature, rocks don’t release nutrients quickly enough to keep the plants alive. They are composed of minerals, but since they decompose so slowly over time, they are not appropriate for growing on their own. Additionally, they often don’t retain enough moisture, allowing the roots to quickly dry out after draining practically instantly.
Sadly, this means that succulents cannot thrive permanently without soil in rocks. If not given regular care, they may survive for several weeks or even months on the nutrients found in the stems and leaves.
How To Grow Succulents | Succulent Plant Care Info
Sempervivum, Jovibaraba, and Sedum are winter-hardy plants that can grow in zones 3–9.
Light:
The majority of succulent species require from half a day to a full day of direct sunlight. It is advised to find some afternoon shade in particularly hot places. Succulents planted in excessive shadow will extend outward in search of more sunlight. Enough sunlight will help succulents grow into gorgeous, vibrant plants.
Planting:
Plants should be gently removed from their containers and planted, making that the soil level is maintained at the same depth as it was in the container.
Keep in mind that most of our plants came straight from the cold frames where they were shielded from the harsh sun and drying winds. For the first week, give your plants and garden décor some shade and cover to gradually adapt them. Every few days, extend the length of the day by a few hours. This will make it possible for a smooth transition.
A layer of pebbles or pea gravel sprinkled on the soil surrounding the plant will be beneficial to your succulents. Additionally, it is highly ornamental.
Soil:
Succulents require soil with good drainage. Make sure the place has good drainage and is not in a low region that would remain wet before planting in the garden. You can buy cactus soil for container gardening or add sand, gravel, or volcanic rock to your potting soil for enhanced drainage. You should have a drainage hole in the container you are using for planting, or you can fill the bottom of the container with crushed rock before adding the planting medium. Spreading gravel or tiny pebbles on top of the ground can add a lot of style.
Watering:
After planting, water the area thoroughly and wait a short while before watering again. Wet feet bother succulents, who don’t like them. Water whatever you do thoroughly. They will require less water once they are established.
Fertilizer:
Succulents generally require relatively little fertiliser. During the growing season, they only require monthly watering and a balanced fertiliser.
Flowering:
Each type of sedum blooms at a different period and in a variety of pink, red, and yellow hues.
After the second or third year, Sempervivums will flower. From the middle of the main rosette, which has a cluster of flowers, a flower stalk will emerge. Sempervivum blooms are open, starry, and typically pink. They are carried above the plant on a stem with several blossoms. Fortunately, there are always chicks born earlier from the base that grow in a ring around the mother plant to continue for subsequent years. The monocarpic crown that generates the flower head dies off after flowering. Twist the stalk off gently once the blossom fades, then plant a chick where it was.
Winter maintenance:
Typically, established succulents in the garden do not require winter protection. Snow frequently provides protection for chilly locations. Balsam boughs can be used as a light winter mulch in cold climates without snow cover, but this is typically not necessary.
Shipping:
When your plants are delivered, gently open the package as soon as possible. Once you have unpacked your things, water your plants properly and let them drain well because we ship plants on the dry side. Early-spring shipping succulents could have some dry edges and a lacklustre appearance. This is typical, and their colour will deepen when exposed to sunlight. Sempervivums change colour with the seasons, and each variety has a certain time of year when it is at its most vibrant.
Uses:
Succulents can be used in countless planting scenarios. The most interesting containers and troughs are those with a variety of colours, textures, and behaviours. Succulents make lovely plants for rock gardens. There is always colour since there are so many different bloom times.