DIY SUCCULENT SOIL: HOMEMADE SUCCULENT SOIL INGREDIENTS

DIY Succulent soil- Have you ever had an issue growing some succulents, and you have no idea what seems to be the problem? Then, there is a chance that the problem lies in the soil. Succulents require a diverse type of soil compared to other plants for them to grow. 

Take note; you’ll spend a lot of time resolving care difficulties if you use the wrong sort of soil for your succulent plant. But have no fear! DIY succulent soil will be the answer to your problem.

DIY succulent soil is gardener-friendly soil because of its good quality and is very cost-efficient. Making your soil mix benefits your plant and your lifestyle since it can be your hobby or physical activity while at home.

To guide you in making your DIY succulent soil, look at the following information:

DIY SUCCULENT SOIL INGREDIENTS

Like making DIY Soil for Cactus, the first thing to do when producing your DIY succulent soil is by preparing the needed ingredients, so it is essential to prepare the following components:

1. Potting soil– a fast-draining soil neutralizes overwatering, and it is what a succulent needs to grow and survive. Do not use a potting mix that contains vermiculite or heavy garden soil, as these may hold too much moisture that may harm your succulent plant.

2. Coarse sand– since the natural habitat of succulent plants is in the desert. They also need to be planted on something closely resembling their home. With that said, you also need to prepare coarse sand to make your potting soil a porous sandy one. 

Eliminate the thought of using sand from the beach, sandbox, or garden because there is a chance there are unpleasant elements present in those types of sand that may damage your plant’s roots, just like the salt from the sand beach.

3. Coconut coir– these are thin pieces made from ripped coconut husk that make the DIY succulent soil stay dry and store enough moisture that the soil needs. 

4. Perlite/pumice – it prevents the soil from being compact and helps provide soil aeration or even drainage for your succulent plant.

5. Turface– this ingredient is a form of calcined clay that supplies air in the soil that solves root rot problems due to overwatering and prevents the potting soil from being overly compacted.

OTHER SUPPLIES NEEDED FOR DIY SUCCULENT SOIL

After prepping the ingredients, make sure also to prepare the following supplies or materials

• A measuring cup or container
• A container for mixing (it can be a bucket, pail, plastic basin, or tabletop potting tray)
• A small shovel or trowel
• Gloves appropriate for gardening that will protect your hands

DIY SUCCULENT SOIL RECIPE

Having the right amount of ingredients for your DIY succulent soil is very important to ensure the quality of the soil mix and its aeration and drainage. Most importantly, correct measurement produces quality-assured succulents that will thrive and bloom with fleshy stems and foliage.

With that said, remember the following mixing ratio of ingredients:

• Three parts of potting soil
• Two parts of coarse sand (if coarse sand is not available, you can use turface as a substitute)
• 1 part of perlite or pumice

Adding coconut coir to your DIY succulent soil is optional. Take note; the generic measurement unit ‘part’ talks about the ratio of your potting mix. That means you can utilize any container (scoop or cup) to measure your ingredients as the equivalent of ‘part.’ 

When you measure the first ingredient using a container, make sure to use the same container when measuring the other ingredients. For instance, you will measure your ingredients using a cup as the equivalent of ‘part,’ wherein you measured 3 cups of potting soil (3 parts of potting soil). You will also use a cup as the equivalent of ‘part’ with the other ingredients such as the coarse, perlite, or pumice.

PROCEDURE IN MAKING DIY SUCCULENT SOIL

The real work begins when you start combining the ingredients. Hence, to guide you in producing your DIY succulent soil, make sure to follow this procedure:

1. Put on your gardening gloves to protect your hands.
2. Prepare the measured ingredients for your DIY succulent soil.
3. Moisten the potting soil by slightly watering it to avoid dust when mixing it in the container.
4. Combine the coarse sand and the potting soil. Thoroughly mix using your hands or a small shovel for at least seven minutes.
5. Add the measured perlite or pumice and mix them thoroughly for about five minutes.

CHARACTERISTICS OF GOOD QUALITY SUCCULENT SOIL

Now that you already know what is the procedure in making DIY succulent soil and what are the needed materials and ingredients, it is now the time to familiarize yourself with the following characteristics of good quality DIY succulent soil:

1. It has good soil aeration and drainage system.
2. It contains enough nutrients for the succulent plant to survive.
3. Well-draining and does not hold so much moisture.

BENEFITS THAT YOU CAN GET ON DIY SUCCULENT SOIL

DIY succulent soil provides advantages for the succulent plant and also for you. The following are some of the benefits that you can acquire when making DIY succulent soil:

1. It is costly compared to the commercialized succulent soil. In this way, you can save money.
2. Since you know what is best for your succulent plant, you can control the ingredients or modify your soil potting mix through DIY.
3. Making DIY succulent soil can be your hobby and another way to be physically active.
4. Helps you develop your skills in gardening, widen your knowledge about soil or succulent plant, and gives personal satisfaction.
5. Aside from saving money, you can also earn cash by commercializing your DIY succulent soil.

You can label the soil can as one of the essential elements in gardening. When the soil used is appropriate for the plants, it will help them grow and have a long lifespan. On the contrary, if you used the incorrect type of soil for your plants, this would result in various difficulties, and worse, your plant may die. 

For that reason, we should make sure that the soil that you are using will benefit your succulent plant. 

Just prepare the necessary ingredients and supplies and follow the recommended measurement and procedure. You can easily create a good quality DIY succulent soil that you can use to make your succulent plants thrive and bloom.