After years of trial and error, I finally came up with the perfect succulent potting mix recipe. This is the best soil for succulents, and it’s super easy to make too! In this post, I will share my recipe and show you exactly how to make your own succulent soil.
I don’t buy succulent soil, I make my own. It’s much cheaper than buying a commercial succulent potting mix.
Plus, I think the commercial soil mix for succulents (at least the stuff I’ve purchased in the past) are light on sand, and hold more water than I like.
Making your own succulent soil is not only cheaper than buying the commercial stuff, it’s super easy. In this guide, I’ll show you exactly how to do it, step by step.
The Best Soil For Succulents
Choosing the right potting soil for planting succulents in containers is crucial! When readers reach out to me about problems with succulents, most of the issues they have are caused by overwatering.
Overwatering is the number one cause of death for succulent plants, and that is why it is super important to make sure you use the right type of soil to plant succulents.
The best potting soil for succulents is a well draining mix. Using a good potting mix of porous soil for succulents is super important to prevent overwatering.
Related Post: How & When To Water A Succulent Plant
Benefits Of Making Your Own DIY Succulent Soil Mix
The main benefits of making your own DIY succulent soil mix are that it’s cheaper, and you control the ingredients.
Making your own bulk mix is cheaper than buying a pre-made commercial succulent soil.
Plus, since you control the ingredients, you can modify this succulent soil recipe to get the perfect mix that both you and your plants will love.
How To Make Succulent Soil
Like I said, I find that many commercial succulent soil mixes aren’t coarse enough for my liking.
So, over the years I’ve played around with making my own succulent mix, until I figured out an easy, inexpensive recipe that I love the best.
I wanted to make sure the ingredients were all easy to find in your local garden center, or online. Plus, I use these ingredients to make my other homemade potting soils too, so they are all very reusable.
DIY Succulent Potting Soil Ingredients
To make your own succulent soil, you only need three ingredients, and you can find them at any garden center or home improvement store that has potting soil for sale:
- Potting soil
- Coarse sand (turface or poultry grit also work great)
- Perlite or Pumice
Related Post: How To Make Your Own Cactus Soil Mix (With Recipe!)
All Purpose Potting Soil
Any type of all regular potting soil will work as the base to make your own succulent soil. Use whatever you have on hand (as long as it’s fresh and sterile).
The specific brand I use varies depending on what’s on sale at the time I need to buy potting soil. When making potting mix for succulents, it’s best to use a light, porous one as your base.
Don’t use heavy garden soils, mixes that contain vermiculite, or any type that says it has added moisture control or retains water. Succulents need a well draining potting soil, not one that holds moisture.
Related Post: Succulent Plant Care & Ultimate Growing Guide
Coarse Sand
Succulents grow best in a porous sandy potting soil, so amending your potting soil with sand is super important.
You could use any type of sand, but to ensure fast drainage for succulents, I recommend buying a coarse sand rather than the really fine stuff.
Just don’t use sand from the garden, the beach, or a sandbox (you never know what nasties will be in there).
If you prefer, you could use turface or poultry grit as a substitute instead. Either of those would make excellent alternatives to sand in this recipe.
Perlite or Pumice
Perlite is a very lightweight organic soil amendment. It’s the white pieces that look like Styrofoam that you see in many commercial potting mixes.
Perlite retains very little moisture, prevents soil compaction, and helps add better drainage for succulents. In other words, it helps the soil drain faster which is exactly what we want for succulent potting soil.
You can usually buy perlite or pumice at any garden center or home improvement store. But sometimes it’s hard to find, so I usually buy it online.
Related Post: Propagating Succulents From Stem Cuttings Or Leaves
Supplies Needed:
Along with your succulent potting mix ingredients, you’ll need a few other supplies to help you measure and mix your ingredients. So grab these items before getting started…
- Measuring container
- Trowel
- Container for mixing (I use a bucket or my table top potting tray to mix mine)
DIY Succulent Soil Recipe
The succulent potting soil recipe I use is:
- 3 parts potting soil
- 2 parts coarse sand (turface or poultry grit)
- 1 part perlite (or pumice)
What is a “part”? – A “part” is just a generic unit of measure to use for your potting mix ratio. You can use anything you want to measure your ingredients, as long as you use the same type of measure for each “part”.
If you use a scoop measure for 1 part, then use the same scoop twice for 2 parts, and three times for 3 parts.
So, for example if you use a 1 cup measure, then this recipe would convert to 3 cups potting soil, 2 cups sand, and 1 cup perlite.
Related Post: How To Care For A Jade Plant (Crassula)
How To Mix Potting Soil For Succulent Plants
Mixing your DIY potting soil for succulents is super easy. All you need to do is dump everything into your mixing container (bucket, potting tray, wheelbarrow… whatever) and stir it all together.
Use a trowel, or your hands to mix it. Just make sure the ingredients are evenly mixed once you’re done.
That’s it. Told you it was easy to make your own potting soil for succulents.
Related Post: How To Grow & Care For Aloe Vera Plants
Storing Your Leftover Succulent Soil Mix
One of the things I love the most about making my own DIY succulent potting soil is that I can mix up a big batch, and store the leftovers for later. Succulent soil can be stored on a shelf in your basement, garage or garden shed.
You could make a bunch ahead of time and store it for later use, or just mix it as you need it for repotting.
I like to mix up a big batch, and then I store it in a plastic bucket in the garage so I always have succulent soil on hand when I need it.
Make sure to store your succulent potting soil in an air-tight container. You don’t want pesky bugs getting in there.
If you don’t have an air-tight container you can use, I recommend you buy one of these bucket sealing lids, which work with a five gallon bucket.
Related Post: How To Make An Indoor Succulent Garden
FAQs
In this section, I’ll answer some of the most frequently asked questions about succulent soil. If you can’t find your answer here, ask it in the comments below.
Can you use regular potting soil for succulents?
You certainly could use regular potting soil for succulents. It might work just fine, especially if you tend to forget to water for long periods of time, or your plants are very small. However, make sure the soil dries out completely between waterings, or they will rot.
What happens if you plant succulents in regular potting soil?
If you plant succulents in regular potting soil it increases the risk of overwatering. When the soil retains too much moisture, it can quickly cause your succulents to rot.
What is the difference between potting soil and succulent soil?
The differences between general potting soil and succulent soil are the ingredients and the consistency. Regular potting soils are made of organic materials that retain moisture, while succulent soil is porous, and designed to drain very quickly.
My succulents do very well in my homemade potting mix, and making my own saves me tons of money. Now that you know the best soil to use, and have my recipe to make your own, your succulents will thrive too. Learn more by watching my web story.
More Posts About Potting Soils
- How To Make Your Own Gritty Mix Potting Soil
- How To Choose The Best Jade Plant Soil
- How To Make Potting Soil For Indoor Plants
- How To Choose The Best Snake Plant Soil
- 7 Easy DIY Potting Soil Recipes To Mix Your Own
Do you make your own succulent soil? Share your succulent potting soil mix recipe in the comments section below.
Susan Lolos says
Hi
Can orchids potting mix be used with the potting soil?
Amy Andrychowicz says
I wouldn’t recommend using wood chips or bark like that in succulent potting soil. As it breaks down, it will hold too much moisture.
Karen Tay says
It s hard to find coarse sand, pumice and perlite in the area I live,can I replace it with pea gravel and play sand?Do I need to sterilize it? Thks.
Amy Andrychowicz says
Humm… I’ve never tried those alternative ingredients in my succulent soil recipe. Pea gravel should be ok, but play sand may be too fine. If it’s coarse play sand, then it should work. I’m not sure how you would sterilize the sand, but I would probably wash the pea gravel in a bucket of soapy water.
Lisa Hawker says
Sterilize sand just as my mom and grandma did with potting soil. In a foil roasting pan in the oven.
Joy says
Where can I find potting soil and perlite in my home
Amy Andrychowicz says
You can find those ingredients at your local garden center or big box store. I’ve also included links in the article for where to buy them online.
Robin Wilson says
That’s exactly what I was wondering because I have those on hand!
Jacinta says
Great info on potting mix. Very educative
Many thanks
Amy Andrychowicz says
You’re welcome, glad you enjoyed it!
Gurmit says
Thnx it would serve my purpose .
Nan says
Is coconut hull ok to use instead of potting soil. Or 1/2 an1/2
Amy Andrychowicz says
Coco coir holds too much water, so I would not recommend using that in your succulent soil mix.
Christine says
Hi, do you think this succulent mix will work for lavender plants as well. It seems like it’s the same needs that lavender plants require.
Thanks!
Amy Andrychowicz says
Yes, they do like a well-draining mix. But for those, I would use a richer, organic soil instead of a succulent mix. Here’s a post that’s all about how to care for them, and has a section about the best type of soil to use… How To Care For Lavender Plants
Chris gibbs says
Thankyou for succulent mix recipe.
I am a beginner, and very excited i found something i think i can be successful in doing. I only jist retired and was looking for something like this. I might have lots of questions. Looking forward to hearing more about succulents.i live in Australia, i really hope we have varieties and colours that I’m seeing on these posts. Thanks Chris
Amy Andrychowicz says
You’re welcome! Enjoy your succulents, and have fun! Oh, and take a look at my detailed succulent care guide here, that has much more info about the different types too.
Pam Wissmann says
What causes cacti and succulents to get scale and how do you treat it naturally, as the commercial treatment seems to be too harsh?
Amy Andrychowicz says
Here’s a post that will answer all of your questions… How To Get Rid Of Scale Insects On Plants, For Good!
Ana says
Is it ok to use potting soil with Seramis mix in it?
Amy Andrychowicz says
No because Seramis holds too much water for succulents. They need a very fast draining soil mix that does not hold much water.
Mark Schafer says
Hey there, thanks for the recipe! I wanted to ask, should any fertilizer be added to this mix?
Amy Andrychowicz says
You’re welcome. It depends on when you plan to use your succulent soil. If you’re going to use it right away, then yes, you could add granular fertilizer to the mix. Otherwise, I would wait to add fertilizer until you’re ready to use the soil.
Oxana says
Hello, and thank you for sharing your succulent soil recipe. However, in the video it says to use 3 parts potting soil, 3 parts course sand and 1 part pumice; where as in your story you mention 3 parts potting soil, 2 parts course sand and 1 part pumice. Would there be any major difference which one to use? Thanks again!
Amy Andrychowicz says
Oh wow, thanks for pointing that out. The succulent soil recipe in the post is correct, and the video has a typo in it. It should be 3 parts potting soil, 2 parts course sand, and 1 part pumice.
Christine says
Is this mix good to start with seeds as well?
Amy Andrychowicz says
Only if you’re starting seeds for succulents or cactus plants. Otherwise, you should use my recipe for seed starting mix instead.
Clara Zuniga says
Could it be possible to use an orchid potting soil and then adding a bit of sand and perlite? Could the succulents thrive in that?
Amy Andrychowicz says
I would not recommend using an orchid potting mix for making succulent soil. Orchid potting medium is made to retain moisture, which is not good for growing succulents.
Christina says
Hello! I used your recipe for succulent soil about 2 weeks ago and replanted all my random succulents because they were starting to die from rot. I used all the right ingredients and the soil definitely gets and stays wet the right amount of time but, my succulents still seem to be dying. I know they aren’t overwatered bc the leaves and such are not squishy and plump like they were in their other pots when they were rotting. They feel like they are dry and they are drooping and shriveling up. The soil feels SUPER gritty. Did I maybe use too much coarse sand? I can’t figure out why they are acting like they are underwatered when the soil I made stays wet for a couple of days like it should.
Amy Andrychowicz says
I would check the stems and the base of your succulent plants to make sure they aren’t rotting. If the stems are soft, mushy, or hollow that means they’re rotting/have rotted. It could be that they started rotting after being overwatered even before you repotted them. It’s a very common problem with succulents. Here’s a post all about caring for succulent plants that may also help you out… Succulent Plant Care Guide
Dee says
Love your site! I ordered some succulents that I would like to plant in my garden, not in pots, but in the earth. Do you know if I can use “Dr. Earth’s Exotic Blend Cactus and Succulent Potting Mix”? Or is this just for pots? What would you recommend I use instead if this is not the best medium to work with? I’ve never planted succulents before, and I’d like them to thrive outdoors. Thanks!
Amy Andrychowicz says
If your soil is already sandy/rocky, then the succulents should grow very well there. I would be sure to choose a location that doesn’t get a lot of water, and rainwater drains very quickly. If you don’t have sandy soil, then I would amend it with coarse sand, and maybe some perlite or rocks before planting your succulents.
Phong Huynh says
Thanks !
Amy Andrychowicz says
You’re welcome!
Rod M. says
Hello, great post, I just bought some fat plant san diego succulent specific soil. 1 gallons worth and thinks it quite expensive. Still have different species of top cuttings drying. I have read alot lately about water propagation and people have great succuess and even leave them in water and grow them permanently via hydroponics. Can you do an article on this and or your thoughts. They say they thrive as the water prevents fungus and infection as they stay immersed in water. Also, since I am tight on $$ an I poke some holes in stryo and or plastic cups for planting the cuttings once the bottom dries out? Then once they root a bit replant into normal pots/containers. You can really make containers out of anything as long as you can poke holes, correct? Now, I have an aloe in a 3″ pot that has so many pups I think it needs to be seperate and replanted. Do i simply seperate, let dry for a few days then replant the pups and mother in other containers. She seems to be struggling lately with no changes other than the pot is literally overun with pups to the point the soil cannot be seen at all. Thoughts. Thanks.
Amy Andrychowicz says
Succulents don’t like a lot of water, they prefer dry conditions. You could root cuttings by suspending them above water, and the stems may even root in water. But, I suspect that the stems would eventually rot if left in water for too long. As for separating your aloe plant, here’s an article with all the details of how to do that… How To Propagate Aloe Vera By Division.