Wrong Soil Type - Why Your Cactus Soil Might Still Be Killing Your Succulents

You bought "cactus soil" from the garden centre, so your succulents should be happy, right? Not necessarily! Many commercial "succulent" soils still hold too much moisture and don't drain quickly enough for these desert plants.

What Does Poor Drainage Look Like?

• Soil stays wet for days after watering
• Fungus gnats (tiny flies) around the pot
• Musty or mouldy smell from the soil
• White, fuzzy mould on the soil surface
• Plants look unhappy despite "proper" care
• Water pools on the soil surface instead of absorbing quickly

The Problem with Regular Potting Mix

Most standard potting mixes, even those labelled for succulents, contain too much peat moss, vermiculite, or water-retaining materials. Succulents need soil that drains within seconds, not minutes or hours.

The Simple Solution

1. Make your own mix: Combine 50% regular potting soil with 50% perlite or pumice for perfect drainage.
2. Add gritty materials: Mix in coarse sand, small gravel, or chicken grit to improve drainage.
3. Test the drainage: Pour water through your soil mix, it should drain out the bottom within 10-15 seconds.
4. Repot immediately: Don't wait if your plant is in dense, water-retentive soil.

DIY Succulent Soil Recipe

• 2 parts good quality potting mix
• 1 part perlite or pumice
• 1 part coarse sand or fine gravel
• Optional: small amount of bark chips for extra drainage

Warning Signs Your Soil Needs Changing

• Takes more than 24 hours to dry out after watering
• Compacts into a hard surface when dry
• Has a heavy, dense feel when wet
• Smells musty or sour
• Grows green algae or white mould on the surface

Prevention Tips

• Always use pots with drainage holes (non-negotiable!)
• Avoid soils containing vermiculite or lots of peat moss
• If buying commercial succulent soil, add extra perlite anyway
• When in doubt, make your own, it's often better and cheaper

The "Squeeze Test": Grab a handful of damp soil and squeeze it. It should crumble apart, not hold together like a mud ball.

Remember: It's better to err on the side of too much drainage than too little. Succulents are extremely forgiving of fast-draining soil but completely intolerant of soggy conditions.

About The Succulent Gift Co.
Our DIY kits come with pre-mixed, perfectly balanced succulent soil that drains beautifully. Based on the Central Coast, NSW, we take the guesswork out of succulent care!
Shop our DIY kits at thesucculentgiftco.com.au