The Best Types Of Soil For Succulents + A DIY Recipe Your Plants Will Love

Succulents are wonderfully resilient plants, but the right soil is essential for their health and longevity. Here’s a guide for choosing the perfect soil mix for your succulents and an easy DIY recipe for making your own.

What Type of Soil is Best for Succulents?

Most succulents originate from dry, hot regions, meaning they have adapted to store water in their leaves, stems, and roots. These plants are well-suited to periods of drought due to their unique ability to thrive in nutrient-poor soils.

Unlike tropical plants, which prefer damp, organic-rich soils, succulents grow best in coarse, well-draining soil that mimics their natural habitats. Ideally, this soil should be high in inorganic materials like rocks and gravel to provide excellent drainage.

What to Look for in a Soil

The ideal soil for succulents has several characteristics:

• Coarse and gritty texture
• Porosity to create small air pockets
• Light and airy consistency to facilitate quick drainage

When selecting store-bought soil, choose a mix specifically designed for succulents or cacti. Regular potting soils tend to retain excessive moisture, increasing the risk of overwatering.

Popular brands like E.B. Stone and Espoma offer organic blends favored by many succulent enthusiasts.

DIY Recipe for Succulent Soil

Making your own succulent soil mix is not only budget-friendly but also allows you to customize the blend based on your growing conditions and specific succulent types. While many plant owners choose pre-packaged soils, here’s a simple DIY mix to consider:

Ingredients:

• 1 part all-purpose soil or compost
• 1 part pumice (light and ideal for drainage)
• Optional: Coarse sand, gravel, or perlite for added drainage
• A succulent
• A pot (ensure it has a drainage hole)

Method:

1. Combine your soil, pumice, and any optional ingredients in a bowl or tray. Mix until uniform; the soil should appear light and airy.
2. Carefully shake your succulent to loosen any existing soil clinging to its roots.
3. Plant your succulent in the new soil mixture, ensuring that if you’re using a pot, the drainage hole is covered with mesh or clay to prevent soil loss.
4. Pack the soil gently around the plant, avoiding excessive compaction to maintain air pockets.

For those in colder, wetter climates, consider adding more dry materials to enhance drainage. Conversely, those in hotter, desert environments may find a 50/50 mix works well. Each succulent type varies in its soil and water preferences, so monitor your plants and adjust as necessary.

Tips to Keep in Mind

• Succulents prefer less frequent watering. A good soak every few weeks is better than light sprinkling every few days.
• Always use pots with drainage holes to prevent water from pooling at the bottom.
• When watering, the water should sink quickly through the soil. If it sits on top, your soil may need more pumice or gravel for improved drainage.
• Healthy succulents will have plump, full leaves. If leaves appear squishy or brown, overwatering could be an issue, while dry, brittle leaves may indicate insufficient watering.

The Takeaway

Succulents are forgiving plants but require special soil to thrive. Ensure you provide a mix rich in fast-draining inorganic materials to support a long and healthy life for your plants. Happy planting! Planting them in all-purpose potting mix is not recommended.