Choosing the right soil for your houseplants
Houseplant soil – choosing the right one for your houseplants
Just like outdoor plants, indoor plants need the right soil to thrive. There are a variety of options but each and every plant is different so make sure to check the care label to make sure you know what your plant(s) need.
Houseplant compost
Houseplant compost is the most common one to buy. It’s got the right mixture of nutrients and will encourage growth. There are a variety of composts including general houseplant, or compost for succulents or carnivorous plants. If you’re unsure, come and talk to us.
Horticultural grit
In order to thrive, houseplants need good drainage. If you have some houseplant compost, pop in some horticultural grit as it creates air pockets around the plant roots. This works well for cacti and succulents as they need decent drainage.
It’s also a great choice for creating a decorative finish for pots.
Perlite mix
Perlite is perfect for houseplants as it’s physically stable and retains its shape, even in heavy or saturated soil. It doesn’t decompose, so it’s ideal for use in potting mixes for that are repotted infrequently such as succulents and other houseplants. It can be added to custom soil mixes or to pre-mixed potting soil to lighten it up (even if it already contains a bit of perlite already).
If you want to take cuttings for propagation, mix in perlite at a ratio of 50:50, fill the pots, water thoroughly and then allow the compost mix to drain for several hours before inserting your cuttings.
Manage the mould
Too much water, poor soil drainage, contaminated potting soil, and a lack of sunlight can all create mould on the top layer of soil. Low light and dampness are a perfect environment for mould to thrive. on the plant soil. If this is the case, then add a layer of small pebbles or even broken shells to help absorb excess water.
Feeding
As we talked about in our earlier article ‘How to care for houseplants’, it’s important to feed your houseplants. Most soils contain nutrients for the first six weeks but after that they will benefit from a liquid feed every one to three months. Most plants won’t need repotting every year and if they do, it is best to do that in spring. Leave your plants to rest for winter and begin feeding them with a weekly fertiliser from spring throughout summer.
If you have any questions, please do pop in and see us.
