For cacti and succulents that turn soft and yellow at the base, the sure sign of roots sitting too long in wet compost. This is a gritty, fast-draining soil mix made for desert plants: mostly perlite and pumice, with a little horticultural sand, so water runs through and the pot dries out quickly between drinks. Peat-free, with around six months of plant food built in. 5L resealable bag.
Cacti and succulents come from sandy, rocky ground with long dry seasons. They store water in their stems and leaves, and the one thing they can't cope with is damp roots, which is exactly what ordinary potting compost gives them through an Irish winter. This mix holds only about a fifth of its weight in water, against well over half for a typical houseplant soil. Coco coir and worm castings give it just enough body and life for steady root and stem growth.
Made for
Cacti, succulents, Aloe, Sansevieria (snake plant) and Ceropegia (string of hearts), and anything else that likes to dry out fully between waterings.
How to repot
- Ease the plant out and remove as much of the old soil as you can. Wear gloves, or wrap spiny plants in a folded towel.
- Put a small layer of mix in the bottom of the pot, set the plant in, and fill around the sides so the base of the stem sits just at the surface.
- Pat down lightly and water thoroughly to settle the mix.
Watering and feeding
- Water deeply, then let the pot dry out completely. A thorough soak now and then suits cacti far better than little sips.
- As a rough guide: every two weeks in spring and summer, about once a month in autumn and winter. Some succulents want a little more, and soft leaves are the sign.
- The plant food in the mix lasts at least 180 days, so there's no need to feed until the next growing season. After that, our slow-release plant food comes in a cacti blend.
Good to know
| Main ingredients | Perlite, pumice, coco coir, worm castings, horticultural sand, a little lava gravel and activated carbon |
| Water holding | About 20%, quick-drying by design |
| pH | About 7.4 |
| Built-in feed | At least 180 days |
| Volume | 5 litres, resealable bag |
- Peat-free, with organic nutrients. Suitable for organic growing under Dutch law, but not certified organic.
- Because the mix is alive, you may find the odd live worm in the bag.
- Not safe for pets or children if eaten. Keep it out of reach.