The right soil decides between success and failure with succulents. In their native habitat they grow in stony, sandy soils that let water drain away immediately. Normal potting soil, on the other hand, holds on to moisture – and that quickly leads to rot. Here you'll learn what good succulent substrate consists of and how to mix it yourself.
The properties the soil needs
- 🪨MineralAs a rule of thumb, at least half consists of pumice, perlite, sand or gravel. This provides aeration and drainage.
- 🍂Little organic matterCompost, peat or bark mulch only in small amounts, otherwise the soil becomes too heavy and too wet.
- ⚖️Neutral pH valueIdeally in the range of about 6.0 to 7.5. Many succulents thrive well in slightly alkaline soil.
- 💧Good drainageWater must drain away quickly. Coarse-grained components prevent waterlogging.
The ingredients compared
| Ingredient | What it is good for | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Pumice | Aeration and drainage, while also storing some moisture | A grain size of 2 to 5 mm is suitable for most succulents |
| Perlite | Makes the substrate loose and light | Very light, can float to the top when watering |
| Sand and gravel | Coarse material for the best water permeability | Choose coarse-grained, fine sand compacts |
| Cactus or potting soil | Provides nutrients and holds some water | Use only as a portion, not on its own |
Mixing your own soil
The perfect mix is easy to make yourself. As a rule of thumb:
- about 50 to 70% mineral components (pumice, perlite, sand or gravel)
- about 30 to 50% cactus or potting soil
- if needed, a small amount of limestone or dolomite to raise the pH value slightly
Mix everything thoroughly until the consistency is even. The soil should stay loose and permeable. If you don't want to mix it yourself, you'll find ready-made substrates in our Substrate Mixes category, for example the Lithops and Split Rock mix.
Do the test: squeeze a handful of moistened soil together. If it stays in a firm lump, it is too heavy for succulents. Good substrate falls apart again.
Caring for the substrate
- Repotting: Repot your plants every one to three years, as soon as the pot is full of roots. Remove old clumps of soil and use fresh substrate.
- Loosening: Occasionally loosen the surface carefully so that no hard crust forms.
- Nutrients: Succulents need little. Fertilize only during the growing season and with a low-dose cactus or succulent fertilizer.
- Avoid waterlogging: The soil should dry out again quickly after watering. Waterlogging is the biggest enemy of your succulents.
Conclusion
With a high mineral content, little organic matter and good drainage, you give your succulents the best possible start. How to water and overwinter them afterwards is covered in our article Overwintering Succulents.
