Your homemade succulent soil cost runs about 60-80% less than buying premium mixes from the store. The savings add up fast when you grow more than a few plants. You also get full control over what goes in your blend. Custom mixes let you dial in the perfect ratio for your local conditions.
I sat down and tracked my own costs after years of buying bags of Bonsai Jack. That premium mix runs about $3.70 per quart at current prices. My homemade blend comes in under $0.75 per quart when I buy parts in bulk. The math made switching a no-brainer for my collection size.
The DIY soil savings come from buying your parts in larger amounts. A small bag of perlite at the garden center costs way more per unit than the big contractor bags. The same goes for potting soil and other add-ins. Volume pricing slashes your cost per pot by a huge margin.
Compare the numbers yourself with real store prices. Bonsai Jack sells for about $29.49 for 8 quarts of their gritty mix. A basic bag of potting soil runs around $5.18 and a large bag of perlite costs about the same. Mixing your own gives you more soil for less money.
When I first made my own mix, I bought small bags of each part from the garden center. My costs came close to just buying the premade stuff. The real savings started when I switched to contractor size bags and feed store pumice. Now I make enough soil for a year in one batch.
A budget succulent mix uses the same basic formula as pricey brands. Start with cheap potting soil as your organic base. Add perlite from a 4 cubic foot (113 liter) bag that costs about $20-25. This one bag makes enough mix for dozens and dozens of pots.
Feed stores sell pumice under the name Dry Stall for horse bedding. This product costs a fraction of what garden stores charge for the same rock. A 40 pound bag runs about $8 and lasts most growers an entire season. Call ahead to check stock since not all stores carry it.
Free pine bark chips from local arborists work great in your budget succulent mix. Tree crews have to pay to dump their chips so many will give them away. Screen out the big chunks and use the small bits in your blend. This cuts one whole part from your cost.
Your DIY soil savings grow even more as your collection expands. Ten plants won't show huge dollar differences between store and homemade mixes. A hundred plants saves you serious cash each time you repot. Big growers can save hundreds of dollars each year by mixing their own.
The homemade succulent soil cost stays low only if you store parts well between batches. Keep bags sealed tight and dry in a garage or shed. Wet perlite or moldy potting soil forces you to buy fresh which cuts into your savings. A few plastic bins with lids protect your stash for years.
Read the full article: Ultimate Succulent Soil Mix Guide
