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6 Best Soils For Succulents of 2024

By Eugene WilliamsLast update: 2023-07-20

Although succulents are low-maintenance plants, this doesn’t mean that you can take care of them on a discretionary basis. There are some critical rules for their healthy growth, and one of the vital things is choosing the proper soil for your succulents. If you haven’t known how to make the right decision, you can refer to the information and the best soil for succulents below:

Here are the best soils for succulents you can buy in 2024:

  • Best For Strong Roots: The Next Gardener Organic Succulent and Cactus soil mix
  • Best For Fast Growth: Kenzoplants Organic Succulent & Cactus Soil Mix
  • Best For Propagating: The Succulent Cult Premium Organic Succulent & Cactus Soil Mix
  • Fast Draining: THE VALLEY GARDEN Organic Potting Soil
  • Airy & Lightweight: Hoffman 10404 Organic Cactus and Succulent Soil Mixed Potting Soil
  • Time-Released & Nutrient-Enriched: Fat Plants San Diego Premium Cacti and Succulent Soil
6 Best Soils For Succulents
Best For Strong Roots
The Next Gardener Organic Succulent and Cactus soil mix
    Best For Fast Growth
    Kenzoplants Organic Succulent & Cactus Soil Mix
      Best For Propagating
      The Succulent Cult Premium Organic Succulent & Cactus Soil Mix
        Fast Draining
        THE VALLEY GARDEN Organic Potting Soil
          Airy & Lightweight
          Hoffman 10404 Organic Cactus and Succulent Soil Mixed Potting Soil
            Time-Released & Nutrient-Enriched
            Fat Plants San Diego Premium Cacti and Succulent Soil

              Best For Strong Roots: The Next Gardener Organic Succulent and Cactus soil mix

              The Next Gardener Organic Succulent and Cactus soil mix
              The Next Gardener Organic Succulent and Cactus soil mix
              Pros
              • Fast to drain and dry
              • Good smell
              • Well-mixed soil
              Cons
              • Expensive

              A strong succulent root system requires much airflow and good drainage because succulents keep water in their leaves. Providing a high level of water without draining and having room for air can easily lead to root rot.

              The Next Gardener soil mix can help succulent roots thrive because it contains 25% of perlite. These tiny white pieces of perlite can retain a certain amount of water to release gradually when the soil surface is drier, so you don’t have to water your succulents regularly, causing root rot. Moreover, they create gaps for better air movements.

              The Next Gardener Organic Succulent and Cactus soil mix Specifications

              Container Size


              4 Quarts


              Primary Ingredient(s)

              Substrate, perlite, and low fertilizer

              Highlight Features

              lightweight

              well-draining

              pH balance (5.5)

              Verdict

              The Next Gardener Organic soil mix helps you build a strong root system as long as your succulents can grow as well as possible.

              Best For Fast Growth: Kenzoplants Organic Succulent & Cactus Soil Mix

              Kenzoplants Organic Succulent & Cactus Soil Mix
              Kenzoplants Organic Succulent & Cactus Soil Mix
              Pros
              • Good to drain
              • Easy to use
              • Fresh and clean
              Cons
              • Not good smell

              This soil mix features a vital ingredient: 75% of sphagnum peat moss helps grow seeds, promoting their fast growth because this material is sterile. In addition, their antiseptic qualities keep bacteria and fungi from attacking your seeds.

              Besides, combining this ingredient and 25% of perlite can create an excellent growing environment for your seeds because they provide great drainage, aeration, and fine texture with low fertilizer. These features are keys for ideal germination.

              Kenzoplants Organic Succulent & Cactus Soil Mix Specifications

              Container Size


              2 Quarts


              Primary Ingredient(s)

              75% substrate, 25% perlite, low fertilizer

              Highlight Features

              Fast-draining

              Lightweight

              Easy to store and re-use

              Verdict

              Kenzoplants Organic Succulent & Cactus Soil Mix provides your plants and seeds with all beneficial features to grow quickly.

              Best For Propagating: The Succulent Cult Premium Organic Succulent & Cactus Soil Mix

              The Succulent Cult Premium Organic Succulent & Cactus Soil Mix
              The Succulent Cult Premium Organic Succulent & Cactus Soil Mix
              Pros
              • Reasonable price
              • High in nutrients
              • Good to hold water
              Cons
              • Not good smell

              This soil mix has the right ingredients (75% of sphagnum peat moss and 25% of perlite with limestone) if you want to propagate your succulents from their cuttings, leaves, and cactus seeds.

              As mentioned, sphagnum peat moss and perlite ingredients play a vital role in a healthy growing environment for succulents, their cutting, their seeds, and propagation, of course.

              So, what about limestone in propagation?

              In case the pH is below 5.5 and above 6.5, the soil lacks a significant amount of nutrients. Limestone increases the pH level in the soil to a neutral level (5.5 - 6.5) that is beneficial to propagation. Thanks to this feature, your succulents can absorb nutrients better, retain more water.

              The Succulent Cult Premium Organic Succulent & Cactus Soil Mix Specifications

              Container Size

              3 Dry Quarts

              Primary Ingredient(s)

              sphagnum peat moss, perlite, and limestone

              Highlight Features

              good drainage and water retention

              great for propagation

              easy to open the zip-lock resealable bag

              Verdict

              The Succulent Cult Premium Organic Succulent & Cactus Soil Mix can offer the key features for propagation conveniently.

              Fast Draining: THE VALLEY GARDEN Organic Potting Soil

              THE VALLEY GARDEN Organic Potting Soil
              THE VALLEY GARDEN Organic Potting Soil
              Pros
              • High in nutrients
              • Fresh and clean
              • Good smell
              • Light and airy
              Cons
              • Not cheap

              Unlike other plants, succulents can’t receive a large amount of water at a time because they hold water in their leaves. However, if you accidentally provide your plants with too much water, you should choose a fast-draining formula like THE VALLEY GARDEN.

              It contains ingredients that can fix a poor draining-soil system quickly.

              Perlite is super lightweight, but it takes up a lot of room to loosen soil and keep the soil from clumping. The water excess will move through these large spaces between perlite pieces to go out quickly.

              Another 75% natural and organic substrate also helps your succulents drain quicker and faster.

              THE VALLEY GARDEN Organic Potting Soil Specifications

              Container Size

              2 Quarts

              Primary Ingredient(s)

              75% natural substrate, 25% perlite, and low fertilizer

              Highlight Features

              100% organic ingredients

              lightweight soil

              well-draining

              pH balance(5.5)

              Verdict

              Although THE VALLEY GARDEN Organic Potting Soil can drain quickly, it retains moisture to release when essential.

              Airy & Lightweight: Hoffman 10404 Organic Cactus and Succulent Soil Mixed Potting Soil

              Hoffman 10404 Organic Cactus and Succulent Soil Mixed Potting Soil
              Hoffman 10404 Organic Cactus and Succulent Soil Mixed Potting Soil
              Pros
              • Quick to dry
              • Great price
              Cons
              • A bit dirty

              When it comes to growing succulents, providing them with good airflow and drainage is very important for the healthy growth of roots. Therefore, you should choose an airy and lightweight mixed potting soil like Hoffman 10404 because it contains the main ingredients that can meet this requirement.

              Canadian sphagnum peat moss can regulate moisture and air around your succulent root. Meanwhile, perlite, sand, and limestone are lightweight, creating room between pieces to drain more straightforward and quicker.

              Hoffman 10404 Organic Cactus and Succulent Soil Mixed Potting Soil Specifications

              Container Size

              10 Quarts

              Primary Ingredient(s)

              Canadian Sphagnum Peat Moss, Reed Sedge Peat, Perlite, Sand, and Limestone

              Highlight Features

              airy and lightweight

              the right drainage

              comes with complete and coherent instructions

              Verdict

              Hoffman 10404 Organic Soil Mixed Potting Soil is airy and lightweight so that it can keep your plants from root problems like root rot.

              Time-Released & Nutrient-Enriched: Fat Plants San Diego Premium Cacti and Succulent Soil

              Fat Plants San Diego Premium Cacti and Succulent Soil
              Fat Plants San Diego Premium Cacti and Succulent Soil
              Pros
              • Good to drain
              • Light and fluffy
              • Clean
              Cons
              • Pricey

              If you love growing succulents but don’t have much time to take care of them, you can consider Fat Plants San Diego Premium Cacti and Succulent Soil. This product is high in nutrients, which are released gradually when your succulents require.

              According to the information from the producer, this soil can provide your plants with nutrients for up to 6-8 months. Specifically, its macro-nutrients are 18 nitrogen (N), 6 phosphorus (P), and 12 potassium (K).

              Fat Plants San Diego Premium Cacti and Succulent Soil Specifications

              Container Size

              one gallon

              Primary Ingredient(s)

              nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K)

              Highlight Features

              100% ORGANIC growing medium

              Balanced pH

              Verdict

              Fat Plants San Diego Premium Cacti and Succulent Soil is rich in nutrients, so it can help you take care of your plants for up to 8 months.

              How To Choose The Best Soil For Succulents?

              Which Soil Composition Is The Best?

              There are 2 types of soil compositions: organic and inorganic types. Most people love organic soil composition more. Although this choice is expensive, it can create a natural growing environment for succulents. The organic ingredients usually include compost, manure, leaf shreds, and coconut coir,

              With the inorganic option, succulents aren’t edible, so their chemical ingredients won’t affect growing food.

              Any soil contains organic substances and minerals, but succulent soil should have more minerals to promote drainage. Though organic substances hold water and provide nutrients to roots, soil with a high level of nutrients, especially nitrogen, will make your succulents to be brittle and lanky. However, the specific content ratio of organic substances and minerals should depend on which type of succulents you grow.

              You should choose soil with minimal peat moss for outdoor use to grow that attracts many bugs, badly affecting your succulents’ health, and even killing it. But, make sure to buy soil with enough nutrients that a succulent plant requires.

              Do Succulents Need Drainage?

              Drainage is vital to succulents that don’t like a high level of moisture. Soil with great drainage capacity helps your plant avoid excess water. In addition, the soil should allow your plant to grow in dry condition within 1-5 days healthily. Soil with a sandy texture, for example, can improve drainage.

              Do You Reuse Your Soil?

              If you want to store to re-use the succulents in the future, you should pick up a sealed bag of soil with a high retention rate. Improperly storing your soil decreases the soil quality over time.

              Do You Grow Your Succulents Indoors Or Outdoors?

              In the outdoor environment, your succulents can receive more sunlight and air to prevent water-soaked soil. Meanwhile, growing your succulents inside easily lacks sunlight and nutrients, so you need to choose a kind of soil that can provide these things.

              Which Container Is The Best For Succulents?

              Whether you grow your succulents inside or outside, you should choose pots with holes at the bottom for drainage. When growing them indoors, it’s better to purchase a container with a saucer to protect your furniture from the water coming out from the holes.

              Or you can also put your succulents in a nursery pot; after that, put them into a cachepot that allows you to check the bottom of the pot easier.

              Do Your Succulents Need Aeration?

              Yes. It’s essential because succulent roots don’t like compact and heavy soil. Light and airy soil give your plant root more room to breathe and thrive. If you want your potting mix lighter, you can add perlite into the mix.

              Which Brands Make The Best Soil For Succulents?

              Fat Plants San Diego

              Fat Plants San Diego was founded in 2009 by 2 ladies as a hobby. After that, they built small greenhouses to grow exotic species. Now, this brand sells different succulents, including succulent cuttings and indoor succulents. Of course, you can find many high-quality soils.

              FAQs

              Can I use a regular Miracle-Gro potting mix for succulents?

              Yes.

              Do you need a special potting mix for succulents?

              Succulents grow best when using a special potting mix. However, succulents can healthily grow with a basic cactus and succulent soil mix or an African violet mix. You should mix with other ingredients for improving the drainage and holding up long without compacting.

              What is the difference between potting soil and succulent soil?

              While the traditional potting soils can hold water very well, the succulent soil doesn’t appreciate this feature. Succulents retain moisture in their leaves, so a high level of moisture in the soil can lead to root rot development.

              How do I prepare my soil for succulents?

              With the basic soil, you mix one part of perlite, 2 parts of black soil, and 2 parts of coarse sand.

              First of all, you need to put 2 parts of black soil into a container, then add a bit of water to it. After that, you can add the sand and water if the sand is too dry; finally, add the perlite into the mixture and mix them evenly.

              Ensure a suitable moisture level for succulents by squeezing a small amount of the succulent soil as long as it doesn’t come out with much water.

              What do you mix with potting soil for succulents?

              Adding one-half or one-third of coarse sand can improve drainage, but this isn’t right for fine sand.

              Adding ⅓ or ½ perlite to the potting soil can strengthen both aeration and drainage. In addition, it is lightweight, so it will float to the top when watering.

              Turface functions as a soil conditioner, expanding the aeration to the soil and offering oxygen to the root.

              Pumice volcanic material is used to hold moisture and nutrients.

              Coconut coir can improve the drainage capability, and it won’t be badly affected when wet repeatedly.

              Conclusion

              Generally, the best soil for succulents can drain faster to prevent root rot. Meanwhile, it can still provide water and nutrients when you don’t give them much attention.

              Hi, my name is Eugene, the ultimate home enthusiast! I write buying guides and ideas on how to create a warm and welcoming home. Join me on my journey to make everyday in your house a staycation in the comfort of your own space!


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