What is the best soil mix for indoor plants?

Think of good soil as the ultimate comfy bed for your plant pals! It needs to be fluffy enough for roots to breathe, packed with tasty nutrients, and let extra water drain away (no soggy roots allowed!). A top-notch mix usually has potting soil, a sprinkle of perlite or vermiculite, and some rich compost or peat moss. Get this combo right and your leafy mates will flourish!

Sure, it's far easier to buy pre made plant potting mixes, we sell lots of them. But with a little know-how, you can make custom blends perfect for your plants and save some cash. Let's break down what goes into great soil, and how to tailor it to your leafy pals.

Why DIY Soil is Awesome

• Perfect Fit: That bag of 'Orchid Mix' might not be ideal for YOUR orchid. Making your own lets you tweak it to suit the plant's precise needs.
• Know What's In It: Some cheaper mixes have fillers like sand that make them heavy and cloggy. Mixing yourself means quality control!
• Eco-Friendly: A lot of potting mix contains peat moss, which is harvested in ways that destroy fragile ecosystems. DIY lets you use more sustainable materials
• It's Actually FUN: Okay, maybe a little geeky... but there's something satisfying about tending to your plants on this level!

The Building Blocks of Good Soil

1. The Base: This is usually sphagnum peat moss, coco coir (coconut fibre), or a mix of the two.
   • Peat Moss: Traditional, but controversial due to how it's harvested. Holds water well, slightly acidic.
   • Coco Coir: Sustainable, better drainage, and more neutral pH. Comes in bricks you soak to rehydrate – kinda fun!
2. Drainage Boosters: Perlite or vermiculite are the usual suspects.
   • Perlite: Chunky white bits. Improves drainage and keeps soil from compacting.
   • Vermiculite: Brown flakes. Holds water and nutrients longer, good if your plant likes a bit more moisture.
3. Nutrients + Microbes: Adding compost gives your plants a slow-release food source, and introduces good bacteria that help keep them healthy.

"Recipes" to Start With

• Basic Houseplant Mix: 50% peat moss or coco coir, 25% perlite, 25% compost. Great starting point for most plants.
• Aroid Mix: Monsteras, philodendrons, etc, often like richer soil. 40% peat/coco coir, 20% perlite, 30% compost, 10% worm castings (extra good stuff!).
• Succulent/Cactus Mix: Drainage is KEY! 30% peat/coco coir, 40% perlite or pumice, 30% coarse sand (not fine beach sand).

Pro Tips for Soil Mix Success

• Small Batches: Especially if you only have a few plants. Soil degrades over time, even if it's stored correctly.
• Start Simple: Don't feel pressured to use a fancy mix with 10 different things in. The basic mix above is perfect for loads of common houseplants
• It's Forgiving: Plants are adaptable! Slightly 'off' ratio probably won't hurt them. If it's super heavy and wet, or drains like a sieve, then it's time to tweak the recipe
• Get to Know YOUR Plants: The more you learn about a plant's natural habitat, the better you can tailor their soil (a rainforest epiphyte wants different things than a desert succulent!)

Houseplant.co.uk is Your Soil Mixing HQ

We're not just plant sellers – we're obsessed with ALL aspects of plant care!

• Quality Ingredients: We source eco-friendly options, and those hard-to-find bits like pumice or worm castings.
• Plant-Specific Guides: Search by plant name on our site to find detailed soil recommendations.