When first planting succulents in pots, choose a well-drained potting soil such as a ready-made cactus mix, but for a really good succulent potting mix that won’t stay too wet, add extra pumice, sharp sand, grit, or perlite (available at garden centers) to help drainage without breaking down with time.
Also question is, should you put rocks at the bottom of succulents?
The main purpose of placing pebbles on the bottom of the potted succulent plant is to enhance drainage. Succulents and cacti naturally grow in sandy soils that drain quickly. Succulent roots should never be left in wet soil. The rocks help move water through the soil to prevent the roots from rotting.
Furthermore, can succulents grow in just gravel?
Most succulents thrive in dry conditions because too much moisture can cause the plants to rot. … You can grow them indoors in a dish filled with gravel, which provides adequate moisture drainage, although some soil is still necessary to provide nutrients and a medium for the succulent roots.
Can I use normal soil for succulents?
Any type of all purpose potting soil for indoor plants will work as the base to make your own succulent soil. Use whatever you have on hand (as long as it’s fresh, sterile potting soil). … Succulents need a well draining potting soil, not one that holds moisture.
Do you need special dirt for succulents?
Succulents need soil that drains, so regular potting soil—or dirt from your yard—won’t do. Choose cactus soil or mix potting soil with sand, pumice, or perlite. Succulent roots are very fragile so be gentle when repotting.
Do succulents like to be crowded?
As a rule, succulent plants do not mind crowding whether the plants are grouped in one container or are alone and fully filled out in the container. Transplanting a plant that has filled its container will generally allow the plant to experience a new spurt of growth.
How do I prepare my soil for succulents?
Succulents in the garden do not need a fertile soil; in fact, they prefer lean ground without an abundance of nutrients. Remove rocks, sticks, and other debris. You may also purchase topsoil to use in the mix. Get the kind without fertilizer, additives, or moisture retention – just plain soil.
Can I use aquarium sand for succulents?
It looks pretty but it traps moisture and encourages fungi/bacteria. Also avoid non-porous rocks like pea gravel, river rocks, fish rocks, sand, glass marbles, etc. You can use a few rocks here and there as decoration as long as the soil has plenty of air to breath.
