If you’re part of the succulent plant craze, you know that they need well-draining soil. Here’s a fast and easy succulent soil mix recipe to keep your plants happy!
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We’ve all seen it.
And probably more than a few of us have done it.
We’ve fallen for the adorable little succulent in the stylish pot from the big box store down the street. We’ve put it in a sunny but not too sunny spot. We’ve given it water but not too much water because we know that over-watering succulents can kill them.
And yet, one morning we wake up and our adorable little plant is saggy and droopy and well, we have to face it, quite dead.
What happened?
A well-draining succulent soil mix makes all the difference
The good news is that it’s probably not your fault.
Sometimes plants from mega-nurseries come housed in soil that’s just not right for them. What might be perfect for a pansy is anathema to an aloe.
Happily, there’s an easy solution: make your own succulent soil mix and re-pot the unfortunates.
You need be a plant killer no more!
Succulent Soil Mix Ingredients
Pumice
The 3/16 size from General Pumice Products is our choice. High quality pumice from a small California company with free shipping.
Any brand is fine, though we tend to use Miracle Grow as it’s what’s available locally. We avoid the cactus and succulent mix because it’s often more expensive, and we still have to add the other ingredients for better drainage anyway so why spend the money?
We keep poultry grit for our chickens and were amazed to discover that it’s actually chipped granite! Can be purchased at Tractor Supply or check your local farm store.
Rocks (Optional)
We use either Kwikrete All Purpose Gravel or tiny rocks that we collect on the rock bars near our home.
Why We Don’t Use Perlite
Lots of succulent soil mix recipes call for perlite (which is, by the way, a volcanic glass. Who knew?)
At any rate, we don’t like perlite because it tends to rise to the top of your beautifully planted pot and blow right away, taking with it all it’s soil lightening abilities.
Now let’s mix our ingredients!
At Camp Topisaw we’re kind of laid back.
Which means that instead of exact measurements we like to use things like yogurt containers and empty flower pots…
But it doesn’t have to be a yogurt container. Any container will do. The important thing is the proportion of ingredients.
The ratio for the soil mix is 2:1:1:1
So, into a bucket or other largish container dump:
- 2 yogurt containers of potting mix
- 1 yogurt container of pumice
- 1 yogurt container of granite
- 1 yogurt container of rocks (optional)
Mix everything together with your hands, tossing out any chunks of wood (from potting soil) as you go.
Feel free to add more pumice or granite depending on your mood and the type(s) of plants you’re growing.
This is a nice proportion for most succulents, but some cacti might appreciate a bit more soil loosening pumice and/or granite.
When you’re satisfied with the consistency, just pot a lid on the bucket and keep handy for when you’re re-potting sad little nursery plants.
Tip: Top the soil of your newly potted succulents with pumice for a clean modern look.
So next time you’re at the store go ahead and pick up that adorable succulent with no hesitation. With this well draining soil mix recipe you can keep the little guy happy and healthy!
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