cactus soil vs potting soil

Cactus Soil vs Potting Soil How to Choose the Right Mix for Your Plants

When it comes to potting mixes, you’ll often see “cactus soil” and “potting soil” as the main options at most garden centers. But what exactly is the difference between these two types of soils? And when should you use cactus soil versus regular potting mix for your container plants?

In this article we’ll do a deep dive into cactus soil versus potting soil looking at the ingredients, traits, and ideal uses for each. We’ll also provide tips for making your own cactus soil blend at home.

Let’s start with an overview of what makes cactus and succulent soil unique.

What is Cactus Soil?

Cactus soil, also called cactus mix, is a specially formulated potting mix designed for growing cacti and succulents. It contains a blend of coarse sand, perlite, lava rock, and sometimes a small amount of organic material like compost.

The goal of cactus soil is to create an extremely fast-draining blend that mimics the dry, sandy or rocky soils where cacti thrive in the desert. The porous soil allows excess moisture to quickly drain away after watering, preventing soggy soil around the roots.

Some of the key ingredients in cactus and succulent blends include:

• Coarse Sand – Provides drainage and weight
• Perlite – Lightens the soil texture for better aeration
• Pumice or Lava Rock – Aerates soil and adds minerals
• Peat or Coir – For a small amount of moisture retention

Overall, a quality cactus mix will strike the ideal balance between quick drainage and just enough moisture retention for cactus roots. The soil needs to drain fully in just a few hours after watering.

What’s in Standard Potting Soil?

In contrast to fast-draining cactus soil, standard potting mixes are formulated to retain more moisture and nutrients. This makes them better suited to high water-use plants like annuals and vegetables.

Some standard components of potting soil include:

• Peat or Coir – Retains moisture for roots
• Compost – Provides nutrients for growth
• Perlite or Vermiculite – For drainage and aeration
• Bark Fines or Compost – Adds organic matter

These ingredients come together to create a relatively dense, moisture-retentive mix ideal for more demanding potted plants. While perlite is added for drainage, potting soil still holds significantly more water than a cactus blend.

Key Differences Between Cactus Soil and Potting Soil

Now that we’ve looked at what goes into each type of soil, let’s examine how they differ in practical use:

• Drainage – Cactus soil drains much faster than standard potting mixes.

• Moisture Retention – Cactus soil retains very little moisture while potting soil holds much more.

• Soil Weight – Cactus mixes feel lighter and airier due to sand and perlite. Potting soil is denser.

• Nutrient Levels – Cacti thrive in low-fertility soils. Potting mixes contain more nutrients.

• Organic Matter – Cactus soil has little to no organic matter. Potting soil has much higher levels.

• pH Level – Cactus soil is neutral to slightly alkaline. Potting soil is often more acidic.

When Should You Use Each Type of Soil?

Now that you understand the key differences between cactus soil and potting soil, when should you use each? Here are some tips:

• For cacti, succulents, and other desert plants like agave and aloe vera, use a cactus/succulent soil mix.

• For outdoor container plants and indoor tropicals or houseplants with high water needs, go with a standard potting soil.

• For Mediterranean herbs like rosemary, lavender, or thyme, consider blending the two soils.

• For vegetables, annual flowers, moisture-loving tropicals, and acid-loving plants like azaleas or blueberries, use a potting soil on its own.

• To turn potting soil into a fast-draining mix for rock garden plants or Mediterranean herbs, amend it with added perlite, pumice, or gravel.

• Start cactus and succulent cuttings in cactus soil, then transplant to regular potting soil after roots form.

How to Make Your Own Cactus Soil Mix

You can easily create your own cactus potting mix by blending together:

• 1 part potting soil
• 1 part coarse sand or perlite
• 1 part pumice or lava rock

Combine the ingredients thoroughly and add to cactus pots. Feel free to tweak the ratio of ingredients – more sand or less potting soil for faster drainage, for example.

Some other handy add-ins are horticultural charcoal for filtration, earthworm castings for nutrients, and crushed terracotta or lava rock for additional weight and drainage. Test different combinations until you find the perfect cactus soil recipe.

Growing Cacti Successfully

In addition to choosing the proper cactus potting mix, here are some other tips for growing healthy, thriving cacti:

• Water only after the soil has fully dried out to prevent rot.

• Give them at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day.

• Use terra cotta pots to absorb moisture and promote drying.

• Limit fertilizer as cacti don’t need much.

• Repot annually in fresh cactus soil to prevent salt buildup.

Follow these cactus care guidelines and use a suitable fast-draining soil, and your cacti will thrive for years to come!