The Best Soil Type for Growing Succulents and Cacti

Plants like succulents and cacti have unique soil needs due to their shallow root structures and drought preferences. Putting these types of plants in the wrong kind of soil, therefore, can cause a host of issues, ranging from root rot to eventual death. But getting them into the right soil isn't very complicated. Here's exactly what you need to know about the soil your succulents and cacti need to thrive.

Mix Your Own Cactus Soil

Ideally, Adrienne R. Roethling, the director of curation and mission delivery at Paul J. Ciener Botanical Garden, says that the best homemade cactus soil and succulent soil is a mix between potting soil and pea gravel. The reason? These varieties need porous soil. "The goal is to provide drainage," she says, which is what results when you mix the two. If you don't want to create your own concoction, you can usually find soil specially designed for these types of plants at garden centers.

As for what not to use? "I'm not sure why folks get it in their heads to use peat or sphagnum moss or sand for plants, but these components are not ideal for cactus and succulents," she notes.

Martha particularly loves to refresh her succulents' soil every year or two by repotting them and moving any that have outgrown their containers into bigger ones. She simply takes the succulent from its container by sliding a knife around the edge of the container and loosening the root ball with her hands. She says this best practice helps stimulate new growth.

Add Water

To create a watering schedule you can adhere to, place sticky notes on your pots that outline when your plant needs water next (and note how much to add). This method is helpful, especially since understanding when to water is where most succulent owners fall short. "With a porous mix, it may be hard to tell if the soil is dry or not," Roethling explains. "I tell folks to stick their fingers in. If it feels cool or moist, watering can wait another day or two." For her succulents in her central own North Carolina home, that system usually results in two three waterings a week. How often your plants need H2O will depend on your specific environment.

Fertilize

Because succulents and cacti are long-term plants, Roethling says it's best to avoid fast-acting fertilizers, or iterations that are sold as cactus fertilizer. "They give plants a boost—that is great for seasonal plants, but I would find a slow-release fertilizer and apply only a couple times a year," she says. If you're looking for a good option, she suggests Osmocote's granular version ($17.81, amazon.com), which is ideal for cacti.

Pro Tip

Since sufficient drainage is so critical when it comes to succulents and cacti, Roethling says to avoid using pots with saucers. Instead, she suggests allowing water to drain thoroughly through the bottom in order to avoid "wet feet," which is what roots get when they sit in moist or wet soil for too long. This can suffocate the plant and cause irreparable damage.