Regular potting soil for succulents does not work well on its own. The mix holds too much water and your plants will rot within weeks. But you can fix it by adding grit to speed up your drainage. Most store-bought soil needs equal parts perlite mixed in before your succulents can survive in it.
I learned this lesson the hard way with my first batch of succulents from the grocery store. Three out of four plants died within two months in their original soil. The lone survivor got repotted into an amended mix right away. That plant is still alive five years later and has made dozens of pups for me to share.
Most potting soils use peat moss as their main base material. Peat holds water like a sponge and stays wet for weeks at a time. Iowa State notes that standard potting soil keeps too much moisture around your roots. This creates the perfect setup for root rot to take hold fast in your pots.
When your soil stays wet too long, the air pockets fill with water instead. Your roots need oxygen to stay alive and function. Without air, they start to suffocate and rot from the tips inward. By the time you see yellow mushy leaves up top, the damage below has already spread too far.
Amending potting soil turns a bad mix into something your succulents can thrive in. Your goal is to create gaps that let water flow through fast. Start with one part potting soil and one part perlite for your base blend. Mix them well so the grit spreads through every handful you use.
I tried this fix on a jade plant that was yellowing in its store soil. The roots looked gray and soft when I pulled it from the pot. I trimmed off the damaged parts and let them dry for two days. Then I potted it in my amended mix and crossed my fingers. New white roots appeared within three weeks of that repot.
Your potting soil drainage gets better as you add more mineral content. Some growers go as high as three parts perlite to one part soil for their mixes. This works well in humid areas where your soil dries slow. Dry climates can stick closer to the basic 1:1 blend without problems.
Coarse sand works too if you can't find perlite at your local store. Look for sand with grains about the size of a grain of rice. Fine play sand won't help much since the tiny bits just pack together. Pumice is another great option that holds its shape for years in your pots.
Test your amended mix before using it on all your plants. Fill a small pot and pour water through it slowly. The water should start draining from the bottom in about five seconds or less. If it takes longer than that, add more grit and test again until you get it right.
Some brands sell soil labeled for cacti and succulents at garden centers. These work better than plain potting soil but many still hold too much water for your plants. Check the bag and look for peat or coir as main parts listed first. If you see these at the top, plan to add perlite anyway. The extra step takes just minutes but saves your plants from sitting in soggy soil for days.
Read the full article: Ultimate Succulent Soil Mix Guide
