Houseplant Substrate
The perfect potting mix for an indoor plant is one that mimics the plant’s natural substrate as closely as possible to form a desired balance of moisture, nutrition and aeration.
For some plants that grow in arid environments this requires forming a free draining, nutrient poor substrate.
For others naturally found in a tropical ecosystems a nutrient rich, moisture retaining substrate is essential.
Whilst for air plants, who draw moisture and nutrients straight from the air, no substrate is needed at all.
The health of your plants starts from the ground up so having an appreciation of what soils your collection would benefit from is key.
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Our Favorite Houseplant Soil Mixes And Substrate
Houseplant Soil Ingredients
There’s no set mix of ingredients that make up a potting mix for houseplants.
Instead the ideal substrate for your indoor plant will depends on the plant species, your climate and whereabouts in the house the plant is being kept.
Ingredients commonly found in indoor plant potting mixes include…
Pine Bark
Activated Charcoal
Coconut Husk
Perlite
Worm Castings
LECA
Gravel
Coco Coir
Sand
Compost
Peat Moss
Vermiculite
Monstera + Philodendron
Potting Mix
Ingredients: Coco Husk, Coco Coir, Perlite, Worm Castings
Replicates a nutrient rich, humid tropical habitat.
Succulent
Potting Mix
Ingredients: Coconut Husk, Perlite, Biochar, Sand and Grit
Replicates a nutrient poor, dry arid habitat.
ZZ Plant
Potting Mix
Ingredients: Coco Coir, Perlite, Pine Bark, Activated Charcoal
Replicates a dry African forest habitat.
