Using the right type of cactus soil is extremely important, and I get asked about it a lot.
So in this post, I’ll tell you everything you need to know, including what it is, the best type, and how to make your own.
Cacti are beautiful and they make great houseplants, but they require a very specific kind of soil in order to thrive.
They’re extremely picky, and can quickly die if planted in the wrong medium. So you need to make sure to use the right potting mix for them.
In this article, you’ll learn all about the best soil for cactus plants, and get my tips for choosing the right type.
Then I’ll give you my recipe and detailed step by step instructions for how to make your own cactus soil mix.
Table of Contents
What Is Cactus Soil?
Cactus soil is a type of potting mix or medium that drains very quickly, and is specifically designed for desert plants.
This special mixture is commonly made from a blend of various non-organic ingredients, like pumice, perlite, grit, or sand.
It also contains a small amount of organic material, such as general potting soil, pine bark, or peat moss.
What Kind Of Soil Does A Cactus Need?
The type of soil that a cactus needs is a well-draining and extremely porous mix.
It has to drain very quickly, so it doesn’t hold onto too much moisture, and it should dry out within a day or two.
Related Post: How To Care For Cactus Plants
What Is The Best Soil For Cactus Plants?
The best soil for cactus plants is one that has coarse particles mixed with small amounts of organic material.
The perfect mixture ensures that water will flow through quickly, and it won’t retain moisture for very long.
It also allows for air pockets between the particles where oxygen can reach the roots, instead of become compacted.
Because of these attributes, the ideal cactus soil helps to prevent root rot, which can ultimately kill your plant.
Related Post: How To Save A Rotting Cactus From Dying
Benefits Of Making Your Own Cactus Soil
If you ask me, the main benefit of making your own cactus soil is that you can create the perfect mix for you and your plants.
But another advantage that people love is saving money. It’s much less expensive to make your own in bulk than buying it from a garden center.
You also control all of the ingredients. That way you know they’re safe, and there aren’t any undesirable additives (like moisture-retentive chemicals or synthetic fertilizers).
But, if you don’t want to go out and buy special ingredients just yet, then I recommend using an organic commercial mix or an extra gritty one.
If you’re ready to learn how to make your own cactus soil, then keep reading!
How To Make Cactus Soil Mix
Many types of popular brands of commercial cactus mixes hold too much moisture for my liking.
They also commonly contain water-retentive ingredients like vermiculite, and contain way too much peat moss.
So over the years, I’ve done a lot of experimenting to come up with my own recipe using simple ingredients.
All of these are easy to find online, at your local garden center, or most big box stores. Below I’ll tell you more about each one.
Related Post: 7 Easy DIY Potting Soil Recipes To Mix Your Own
DIY Cactus Soil Ingredients
To make your own homemade cactus soil using my recipe, you only need three ingredients.
Below I’ll tell you about each one, and also give you substitutes so you have some options in case you can’t find them where you live.
Potting Soil
The first ingredient is an all-purpose potting soil. This adds that small amount of organic material that we need for our mix.
I recommend getting one that is light and fluffy, rather than the heavy or cheap stuff. Avoid brands that say they retain moisture.
You can also use a commercial brand cactus mix if you prefer, which is great if you tend to overwater. Never use garden soil or dirt though.
Perlite
The next ingredient is perlite, which is white and a very lightweight granular material.
It adds aeration to the soil and prevents compaction, which will help to protect your cactus from root rot.
If you can’t find this where you live, then you can use pumice instead, which is very similar.
Coarse Sand
The final ingredient is a coarse sand, which helps to ensure that our cactus soil mix drains quickly.
Make sure to use “coarse” rather than the really fine stuff, because that can become compacted. Also, don’t use beach sand or anything from your yard or garden.
You can substitue turface or poultry grit if that’s easier to get. Some people like to use crushed granite or aquarium rock instead.
Pine Bark
I know I said you only need three ingredients, and you do. But I’m throwing this one is as a bonus, because it’s another great option to experiment with.
Pine bark is an organic ingredient that takes a long time to decompose. It adds even more drainage to the mix, and won’t become compacted.
Ideally the nuggets should be 1/8″ to 1/4″ in size, but you may find that a chunkier orchid bark or coco coir chips will work just fine.
Related Post: How To Water A CactusPlant
DIY Cactus Soil Mix Recipe
Now that you understand the purpose of each of the ingredients, it’s recipe time. Below I’ll give you my cactus soil recipe, as well as a list of the supplies you’ll need to make it.
Recipe:
- 3 parts potting soil
- 3 parts coarse sand
- 1 part perlite or pumice *
- 1 part pine bark (optional)
* Use 2 parts perlite/pumice if you struggle with overwatering.
Supplies needed:
- Measuring container
- Trowel or shovel
- Container for mixing (I use a bucket or my table top potting tray)
- Dust mask (optional)
How To Mix Homemade Cactus Soil
Though I have it marked as optional, I highly recommend using a dust mask when mixing your own cactus potting soil. It’s not good to breath in those tiny particles.
Step 1: Gather the ingredients – Taking the time to gather and prepare all of your ingredients, tools, and supplies first will speed things up.
Make sure the bucket or potting tray you’ll use for mixing your cactus soil is clean and dry.
Step 2: Measure the potting soil – Measure out three parts of your potting soil and pour it into the bucket or tray.
You can use a one cup measure, a soil scoop, or a trowel for each part. It doesn’t matter what you use, just make sure it’s the same for all of the ingredients.
Step 3: Add sand and pine bark – Add three parts coarse sand and one part pine bark, if using. Stir it well so that everything is mixed up properly.
You want to avoid large pockets of sand, so make sure to stir it thoroughly during this step.
Step 4: Mix in the perlite – Last, add one part of perlite. Then stir everything well so all of the ingredients are evenly distributed.
If your DIY cactus soil feels too thick or heavy, you can continue adding perlite until it feels right for you.
Storing The Leftovers
You can use your homemade cactus potting mix right away, or save it for later. I like to mix up a big batch and store the leftovers so I always have some on hand when I need it.
Simply put it into a five gallon bucket sealed with an airtight lid, and keep it in a dry location.
FAQs
In this section, I’ll answer some of the most frequently asked questions about cactus soil. If you can’t find yours here, ask it in the comments below.
Is there special potting soil for cactus?
Yes, there is a special potting soil for cactus plants. It needs to have good drainage, dry out quickly, and provide aeration so oxygen can reach the roots. You can either purchase it or make your own by following the instructions above.
What is cactus soil composed of?
Cactus soil is composed of a mixture of organic and porous materials. Some examples include sand, grit, perlite, pumice, and bark.
Can you use regular potting soil for cactus plants?
No, I do not recommend using regular potting soil for cactus plants. It holds way too much moisture, which can cause rot, and suffocate the roots. Instead, you should amend it, or use a sandier mix.
Is cactus potting soil the same as succulent potting soil?
If made correctly, cactus potting soil is not the same as it is for succulents. Cacti need a sandier and faster draining mix. Though, many people do use the same kind for both, I don’t recommend it, especially for beginners.
Can you use cactus soil for all plants?
No, you should not use cactus soil for all plants. Since it’s designed specifically for desert plants, it will not retain enough moisture and doesn’t contain the right amount of organic materials and nutrients for most others.
Using a good quality cactus soil mix is very important for success. So, whether you choose to purchase it, or make your own using my recipe, you can find the perfect composition that is suitable for both you and your plants.
More Posts About Potting Soils
- How To Make Your Own Gritty Mix Potting Soil
- How To Choose The Best Jade Plant Soil
- How To Choose The Best Snake Plant Soil
- How To Choose The Best Money Tree Soil
Share your favorite recipe or tips for how to make cactus soil in the comments section below.
Chance Smith says
I have a brand new Cactus and I’m not exactly sure what to do, it came with one of those fake flowers on it. And I ripped it off, and now the top of it is completely gone. Is it Beyond reparn or is it salvageable?
Amy Andrychowicz says
If by “fake flower” you mean you removed a grafted cactus from the top, then it shouldn’t kill the plant. But keep an eye on it to make sure it’s not rotting, that would be the biggest concern. Here’s more info about cactus rot, and how to save your plant if it’s happening.
Mishifu says
I think Chance may mean a dried straw flower that some places, like Home Depot glue on the top with a hot glue gun. I was fooled by one of these a few years ago.
Gypsy says
Can you use Quikrete coarse sand to add in the mix? It’s washed and graded coarse sand.
Amy Andrychowicz says
I’m not familiar with that specific brand, but any type of clean coarse sand should work for this.
Mercy says
Hi, Amy,
Thank you for sharing these DIY soil mixes. I use them for my successful and cacti now and they all love it.
A friend of mine left her Easter lily for me to plant sit and I tended it indoor. It was doing great for the first month but has slowly turned yellow and is slowly dying. How do I save it, please? Appreciate your help in this.
Amy Andrychowicz says
It’s normal for Easter lilies to die back after they’re done flowering. You can try keeping the bulbs and planting them in your garden or in pots for next year. I don’t have a specific post about how to do that, but here’s a general post about how to keep bulbs.
Fran says
My 4 inch tall family of cactuses has lost their green color in the bottom half. What causes this loss of green color on the bottom half of the cactus?
Amy Andrychowicz says
Some types of cactus plants naturally start to turn brown on the bottom as they age, it’s called corking. But unfortunately, it’s also a common symptom of rot due to overwatering. Here’s an article that will help… How To Save A Rotting, Dying Cactus.
Reba smith says
I have a cactus afield gave me who’s passing away so I want to keep it for that and because she started it from a 80 year old plant some of the plant is dry and ileaning down what do I do I’m afraid to replant it now thanks
Amy Andrychowicz says
It sounds like your cactus may have rot, here’s how you can try to safe it.