Can You Use Succulent Soil for Other Plants? A Comprehensive Guide

As a gardener you may find yourself with extra bags of succulent soil and wonder if you can use it for plants besides succulents. The short answer is yes you can use succulent soil for other plants with some modifications.

Succulent soil has excellent drainage to prevent succulent rot. This makes it useful for plants that need dry soil. However, adjustments are necessary for moisture-loving plants. By understanding succulent soil properties and each plant’s needs, you can make informed decisions on repurposing this soil mix.

What Makes Succulent Soil Different?

Succulent soil contains a higher ratio of inorganic to organic matter than regular potting soil The key characteristics that differentiate it include

• Fast drainage: Succulent soil drains rapidly to prevent rot in succulent roots. This is achieved by using porous materials like perlite, pumice, gravel etc.

• Low water retention: The soil retains little moisture between waterings. This replicates the dry desert conditionssucculents thrive in.

• Low organic matter: Typical succulent soil contains 30% or less organic material. Low organic matter reduces water retention.

• Slightly acidic pH: With a pH around 5.5 to 6.5, succulent soil provides the ideal balancefor cacti and succulents.

• Nutrient deficient: Succulent soil contains fewer nutrients compared to soils for vegetables or flowering plants.

Which Plants Can Grow in Succulent Soil?

Plants naturally adapted to dry conditions will thrive in fast-draining succulent soil. Some examples include:

• Cacti: With their desert origins and drought tolerance, cactigrow well in sandy, well-draining soil.

• Aloe vera: As a succulent, aloe vera stores water in its leaves. Fast drainage prevents soggy soil from rotting its roots.

• Snake plant: Also known as mother-in-law’s tongue, snake plants tolerate infrequent watering. Well-draining soil is ideal.

• Lithops: Commonly called living stones, these tiny succulents require extremely porous soil.

• Pothos: With flexible watering needs, pothos adapts well to succulent soil. Just don’t overwater it.

• Herbs like rosemary and oregano: Mediterranean herbs prefer drier soil, making succulent mixes suitable.

So succulent soil works for plants acclimated to dry conditions. But moisture-loving plants may struggle without adjustments.

Which Plants Should Avoid Succulent Soil?

Plants that require consistent moisture will likely suffer in fast-draining succulent soil. Some examples include:

• Bromeliads: With tropical origins, bromeliads need moisture-retentive soil to thrive.

• Orchids: Orchid roots can quickly dry out in porous succulent soil. They require airy but moist soil.

• Ferns: Most ferns demand consistently damp soil. Fast-draining mixes can dry them out.

• African violets: With fuzzy leaves and shallow roots, African violets need soil that holds moisture.

• Peace lily: A tropical plant, peace lilies dislike completely dry soil between waterings.

For such plants, modifying succulent soil to retain moisture is crucial.

How to Modify Succulent Soil for Other Plants

With some adjustments, succulent soil can work for plants beyond cacti and succulents. Here’s how to modify it:

• Add organic matter like compost or coco coir to increase moisture retention.

• Mix in peat or sphagnum moss to help soil hold water for tropical plants.

• Include water-absorbing polymers like acrylamide crystals. They absorb and store water.

• Lower the drainage by using less perlite and gravel. However, don’t eliminate fast drainage completely.

• Check and adjust pH as needed for acid-loving plants like blueberries.

• Increase nutritional content with organic fertilizer or compost for heavy feeding plants.

The specific adjustments depend on the target plant’s watering, pH and nutritional needs.

Examples of Plants Growing in Succulent Soil

With the right amendments, a wide variety of plants can grow in succulent soil. Here are some real-world examples.

• One gardener grew tomatoes in a mix of succulent soil and compost. The compost boosted nutrients for healthier tomatoes.

• Another gardener used succulent soil for herbs like basil and parsley. They added peat moss to retain moisture, resulting in lush herbs.

• Someone reported using succulent soil for their orchid. Mixing in bark helped provide air pockets while retaining moisture.

• A gardener grew blueberries in alkaline succulent soil amended with sulphur and peat moss to lower the pH.

So with some tweaking, succulent soil can work for plants with varying needs!

Expert Tips on Using Succulent Soil

Before using succulent soil for other plants, horticulture experts recommend:

• Learning about the plant’s specific needs, like its ideal soil pH and moisture requirements.

• Making amendments based on those needs, such as adding fertilizer for heavy feeders.

• Maintaining the soil’s fast drainage properties as much as possible.

• Testing drainage by watering the amended soil and checking if excess water flows out the drainage holes.

• Monitoring plant health and adapting the soil mix based on the plant’s response.

• Adding more water-retaining amendments if plants show signs of underwatering.

With attentive care and soil adjustments, you can successfully use succulent soil for plants beyond just cacti and succulents. Just cater the mix to each plant’s needs.

While specially formulated for succulents, you can use succulent soil for other plants with some modifications. Plants that tolerate dry soil do well in the fast-draining mix. But moisture-loving plants need adjustments to retain water.

Test drainage and alter the soil composition based on each plant’s ideal environment. With the right amendments tailored to the specific plant, succulent soil can be repurposed to provide healthy growth for your various plants. Just be attentive to their needs!