Ideal Soil Mix For Succulents, Cactus and Adeniums – Best Potting Mix

Today we will look into Making your own All Purpose or the Universal Soil Mix for Succulents and Cacti.  This Recipe or the Formula works best in all seasons throughout the year including rainy season.

Before I Start with the Ingredients to Make Our All-Purpose Cactus Mix or Succulent Potting Mix. You need to remember one simple basic concept: Succulents need to be planted in soil that holds enough water for them to absorb what they need, but for a short duration of time, and it should drain out quickly so the roots won’t rot. Hence, soil with the best drainage is crucial for succulent survival.

Ingredients and Proportions for Soil Mix For Succulents

You can use this mix for growing both indoor and outdoor succulents.

Garden Soil

This forms the main bulk of the growing medium in this formula. You can use about 30 to 40 percent of good garden soil.

Sand

Use river sand or construction sand, not sea or beach sand, as it is high in sodium chloride (salt). The proportion to use is 30 to 40 percent, which is equal to the amount of garden soil. Note that coco peat is not recommended, especially for indoor succulents, because it retains moisture and some succulents have a risk of rot.

Gravel Chips, Pebbles, or Small Marble/Granite Chips

This can be roughly about 10 percent of the mix.

Compost

While not essential, adding 10 percent of compost like vermicompost, leaf compost, or cow dung powder can be beneficial for flowering succulents. You can also optionally add about 5–10 percent of neem cake powder, which is effective in preventing rot from fungus and other harmful pathogens.

Perlite and Horticultural Charcoal

These ingredients keep the soil loose and well-aerated. Charcoal can absorb soil nutrients, store and release them when the nutrient level goes down, and has antifungal properties that help prevent root rot. You can use perlite alone, charcoal pieces alone, or a combination of both. About 10 percent of this can be added to the recipe.

Related videos: Watch here

Please watch this video on making potting soil for succulents and cacti.