How should I prepare soil for succulents?

Deb
by Deb

I was given a recipe for the soil for succulents. Should I put the small stones mixed within the soil or just on top like the way they sell them?I have peilite, coconut coir, peat moss and cactus,palm and citrus mix that says great for succulantas on the bag. I also have small pebbles. Should I mix the pebbles in with the mixture. I figured I would use equal amounts of all of the above and half the amount of pebbles. Is this the right mixture? Thank you for all your help..!!

  4 answers
  • Lynn Sorrell Lynn Sorrell on Feb 10, 2019

    the pebbles go in bottom of pots for drainage purposes not mixed in soil or on top. I'd say way too much, not needed, stuff. Just mix some of the cactus soil/dirt with regular soil(half & half is good). keep them in bright light semi sunny area,really good drainage,really dry soil then water well in between dry out. Most house plants are killed by over watering and too much care. not too big of a pot the more root bound the better if plants are in too big of a pot the roots grow not the tops of plants.just give them some water soluble Miracle grow fertilizer 2x a year as one of the regular waterings. if they are in enuf light/sun they will eventually bloom. Succulents are such a trend now a big money maker in the nursery/plant world. they don't need all the extras to grow,they are very hardy drought tolerant plants. most of the stuff you have will hold too much water. get a 5 gallon bucket add all the stuff-perlite,peat,cocoa fibers,palm/citrus mix whatever else together with some scraps from kitchen veggies egg shells coffee tea bananas etc. and some soil and start a great compost bucket get it wet let in set in sun and turn it/mix it every week. in about 4-6 months when you need some great potting soil you'll have some really really nice dirt to use. If you knock off any succulent leaves(they fall off very easily)while transplanting just stick the stem end in slightly moist soil and they will regrow. If not throw them in compost bucket too.

  • Fiddledd224 Fiddledd224 on Feb 10, 2019

    You need as much drainage away from the roots as possible. IF you don't get the drainage by the amount of sand you added to the soil, then put some small pebbles in the mix. The rocks on top are basically ornamental.

  • Craft Invaders Craft Invaders on Feb 13, 2019

    I think the stones are for the bottom of the pot - succulents like really good drainage