Soil Mixes
The most important thing under the soil surface is what that soil actually is. Six mixes, from the aggressively draining to the deeply moisture-retentive — each one built for the plants that need it.
6
Soil profiles
6
Ingredients explained
40+
Plant types covered
Pick Your Mix
Each mix is built around a specific set of root conditions. Match the mix to the plant, not the other way around.
Soil Profile
All-Purpose Potting Mix
The sensible middle ground. Good drainage, enough moisture retention, suitable for most everyday houseplants.
Soil Profile
Aroid Mix
Chunky and well-aerated. Mimics the loose organic debris of a tropical forest floor.
Soil Profile
Cactus & Succulent Mix
Gritty and almost aggressively draining. For plants that evolved where rain is rare and soils are harsh.
Soil Profile
Moisture-Retaining Mix
Consistently damp but never wet. For rainforest understory plants that hate both drought and waterlogging.
Soil Profile
Propagation Mix
Sterile, open, and forgiving. Designed to coax roots from nothing.
Soil Profile
Orchid Mix
Almost not soil at all. For plants whose roots need air as much as water.
At a Glance
Not sure which mix? Use this table to find the right one for your plant.
| Mix | Drainage | Moisture | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| All-Purpose Potting Mix | Moderate | Medium | Pothos, Spider Plant, Peace Lily … |
| Aroid Mix | Fast | Low | Monstera deliciosa, Monstera adansonii, Philodendron (all species) … |
| Cactus & Succulent Mix | Very Fast | Very Low | Cacti (all species), Echeveria, Sedum … |
| Moisture-Retaining Mix | Moderate | High | Calathea (all species), Boston Fern, Maidenhair Fern … |
| Propagation Mix | Fast | Medium | Stem cuttings (aroids, pothos, hoyas), Leaf cuttings (succulents, begonias), Petiole cuttings (African violets) … |
| Orchid Mix | Fast | Low | Phalaenopsis (Moth Orchid), Cattleya, Dendrobium … |
The most important choice you make
Most houseplant problems — root rot, slow growth, yellowing leaves, recurring fungus gnats — trace back not to watering frequency or fertiliser but to the growing medium itself. The wrong soil keeps roots wet when they should be dry, drains when roots need moisture, or compacts so thoroughly that oxygen cannot reach the root zone at all.
Commercial potting composts are designed for outdoor bedding plants and container vegetables. They retain moisture aggressively — useful for annual flowers, unhelpful for an Alocasia that evolved clinging to the side of a tree in a Thai rainforest. Using the wrong mix forces you to compensate with careful watering, which is harder than simply starting with the right substrate.
The six mixes here cover the full range of indoor plant requirements. They are not complex to mix and the ingredients are inexpensive. Making them yourself costs less than buying pre-made branded mixes and produces a noticeably better result.