Houseplant Potting Mixes Explained
Ever wondered what potting mix to choose for your ever-growing collection of houseplants? General houseplant potting mixes will be suitable for most species, however if you want to treat your favourites to a tailored mix they will thrive in, we can help! Read on to learn all you need to know about houseplant potting mix ingredients, and about the launch of our new potting mix range 'Botanist's Blends' in-store and online.
Potting mix requirement checklist
Different houseplants will have different needs from their potting mix. Here are four key requirements to consider to help you choose your potting mix:
- Drainage – Most houseplants prefer well-draining soil, which prevents root rot and fungal diseases. Components such as perlite and vermiculite are great at promoting air circulation to the roots and providing drainage.
- Moisture retention – A balance between drainage and moisture retention is key. It is vital that the potting mix holds water as a resource for the plant in between waterings.
- Nutrient retention – A potting mix must provide a balanced level of appropriate nutrients. Zeolite is the perfect component to use for nutrient control.
- pH level – As like any plants, indoor plants have specific pH levels that they prefer, for example, ferns tend to prefer a slightly acidic soil, compared to aloe vera that prefer neutral to acidic. Using different proportions of different components will allow you to adjust the pH of your mix.
What do the different soil components do?
Coco Coir
A versatile potting mix component that can be used as a base for mixes. It has a neutral pH, retains moisture, and drains well, making it a suitable base for most houseplants.
Perlite
Perlite, superheated volcanic glass, provides pockets of oxygen within potting mixes which helps to prevent root rot and give roots space to grow. It has low water retention and an extremely porous structure, further reducing the worry of root rot. With a neutral pH too, it can be found in most houseplant mixes.
Vermiculite
Vermiculite offers the same aeration properties as perlite, with the added benefits of water and nutrient retention, so is perfect for houseplants that prefer to stay moist for longer like Ferns and Alocasia. It too has a neutral pH, making it suitable to use in most mixes.
Bark
Ideal for houseplants that have thick roots, bark provides a high surface area full of indentations for roots to attach to. Bark substantially increases drainage and aeration, and can be used to lower the pH of a mix. Our Monstera & Philodendron Blend has a high proportion of bark to meet their chunky mix needs.
Grit
A great component to add to mixes for plants that prefer a desert-like environment. Grit promotes drainage, improves soil structure and increases aeration, and features in our Cacti & Succulent Blend. It can also be used as a potting mix topper, helping to eliminate fungus gnats.
Sand
Sand is a perfect component for houseplants with fine, delicate roots, such as Ferns, Ficus and Cacti. Much like grit, it aids drainage and improves soil structure.
Zeolite
A microporous mineral aggregate that stores nutrients in the soil. Zeolite is a colloid (negatively charged particle), and so attracts and stores positively charged nutrients (cations). When needed by the plant, the nutrients are then exchanged for hydrogen particles. Zeolite also goes a step further, and exchanges particular nutrients depending on the concentration already within the soil, a process known as cation exchange capacity. Zeolite is much more effective at cation exchange than even peat, and also provides aeration and moisture retention, making it a must-have component of any potting mix.
Activated Carbon
Activated carbon has been added into all our potting mixes, as it traps toxins and bad micro-organisms in its porous structure, keeping the soil healthier for longer. It is also a great drainage and aeration element, reducing the risk of root rot, and has a neutral pH, so can be used for most plants.
Sphagnum Moss
A staple for our Anthurium & Orchid Blend, sphagnum moss does a fantastic job at retaining moisture and air around the plant’s roots. Orchid mixes can sometimes just contain bark, but adding in moss ensures moisture is readily available. It can also be used as a topper for your potting mix, boosting humidity
How do I go about getting the perfect blend?
Here at Trevenson Moor, we have launched a new range of houseplant potting mixes and ingredients for you to choose from. We stock ready-made blends that are appropriate for most houseplant genera, a general core mix, and each of the components mentioned above so you can create a customised blend suited to your plant’s needs. Each component has been thoughtfully sourced, to ensure the highest quality mixes that will enable your houseplants to thrive. Pop in to store today, or check out our range online, and treat your favourite houseplants to a blend they will love!
