Soil for Succulents

When it comes to succulents, drainage is key. That's because succulents' ability to tolerate drought makes them prone to rot if left in wet soil.

To cultivate any plant, it helps to mimic the natural environment from which it came. Wild succulents tend to grow in sandy, gravelly soil. Many even thrive in small, rocky crevices or cliffsides. Their native, gritty soils get saturated by heavy rains but dry out rapidly.

A soil is well-draining when it has a high proportion of mineral grit, such as coarse, sand, pumice, perlite, or the calcined clay found in Bonsai Jack Gritty Mix. Mineral grit gives a soil large pores that let water move through quickly and create air pockets around roots.

To water, thoroughly soak the plant or drench it so that water runs out the pot's drainage hole. Keep the pot in a sunny spot with good airflow and don't water again until the soil is completely dry and the leaves just start to feel flexible.