What Is the Best Type of Soil for Growing Succulents and Cacti?
When it comes to houseplants and their growing environment, selecting the right soil is among the most important aspects and helps you get better outcomes. Different plants demand different types of soil to thrive perfectly. Following are a few important considerations regarding the type of soil for growing your succulents and cacti to let them thrive the way they should!
Inorganic Materials for Your Cacti Soil
Inorganic materials make the plants' soil porous to help the drainage. They also aid in promoting better aeration by letting the air flow freely through plants' soil. Perlite and pumice are the most commonly used inorganic materials best suited for your cacti. They differ in many characteristics but are sometimes used interchangeably. For example, compared to perlite, the inorganic pumice is more superior and lasts longer. However, perlite is cost-effective and readily available therefore making it a more convenient and viable option. Other materials like gravel and grit are also available as a cactus and succulent potting mix that limits the excessive water that a plant's soil can hold.
Mix Up the Soil for Your Succulents
Your succulents also need porous soil, and it's best to plant them in potting mix and pea gravel mix. The main goal is to provide better drainage. However, if you don't want to make this concoction yourself, getting soil designed for such plants at any garden center is the best option. Peat moss or sphagnum, or sand should never be used for both your succulents and cactus. Some gardeners think using them is a good idea, but it's not.
Addition of Water
Create a watering schedule for your plants by placing sticky notes on your plants’ containers that outline the time of watering your plant. It’s very helpful, especially in the case of succulents. If the mix is porous, it will be hard for you to tell if the plant's soil is dry or not. By penetrating your finger in the soil, and if it's wet to touch, wait for at least a day to water it again. Like others, succulents watering needs are also based on their particular environment, and it can be two to three times watering a week.
Well-Draining Mix and Container Drainage
There is no logic behind getting a well-draining potting mix for your plants if they are not in a quick-draining container. You can get the ideal potting mix, but that doesn't help the drainage because your plant will still be in the pot and will damage your plant. The same is the case with drainage layers. Putting gravel and stones in your plants' pot will not help drainage, so avoid doing that. These can block the pot's drainage holes allowing the water to remain in the container. While your cactus can stay in a pot with fewer drainage holes but without any drainage at all, that will be very damaging for your plant. Go for a container with lots of drainage holes that will make your plant healthy.