Finding the right soil mix for your house plants with House of Kо̄jо̄ & Planta
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If you’re wondering why your house plants aren’t thriving, it might be time to get your hands dirty. The health of your plant starts with its roots.
All plants have evolved in different climates where their roots have adapted to specific soil conditions. We all know that cacti need well draining soil and that Maidenhair ferns can’t tolerate even the slightest drought, but this also applies to your other house plants. Exploring their roots needs and understanding how your plant stores water can go a long way in helping you choose the right soil for them.
All roots need oxygen and the right balance of moisture and nutrients. Most houseplant soils are made up of the same basic components, but changing the ratios in your mix will change the properties of your soil.
Some basic components you’ll find in good quality soil mixes are:
Coco coir
This is an alternative to peat (a nonrenewable resource). It provides moisture retention while still allowing oxygen to get to your plant’s roots.
Perlite or pumice
While not exactly the same, these inorganic components both improve drainage and aeration. Plants that need more drainage should have a higher ratio of these materials.
Worm castings or compost
Often referred to as black gold, worm castings are nutrient-rich waste produced by earthworms as they digest organic material. These castings are a highly concentrated form of organic matter that is packed with essential nutrients, beneficial microorganisms, and humus that are slowly released into your house plants.
Bark or coco husk
Adding this will further improve drainage and create larger air pockets in the soil. Unlike perlite or pumice, it will degrade over time offering more organic content to your soil.
Let’s take a look at a few of Planta’s most added plants and figure out what type of soil they’d like best:
Epipremnum aureum (Pothos)
These climbing vines have strong, thick roots that prefer to attach themselves to trees or the ground surface as the plant grows. Although most of your pothos’pothos’s roots will be contained in soil as a houseplant, this tells us that they will thrive in well aerated-porous potting mixes.
Spathiphyllum wallisii (Peace Lily)
Peace lilies are naturally tropical understory plants. The rainforest floor is protected from direct sunlight and stays humid and moist. These will like a more moisture-retentive soil but will still need elements to help it stay aerated so that oxygen can get to the roots.
Crassula ovata (Jade Plant)
Naturally found on rocky hills and cliffsides, optimal soil for Jade plants will reflect this with a high content of inorganic components. Although they are well known to tolerate varying soil types, they won’t thrive if there isn’t adequate drainage or if their roots can’t take hold ofin the soil.
You can amend your base soil with additional components so that it suits your plants'plants needs. It’s a great approach if you have a lot of plants of varying species.
Mixing your own substrates can be quite the hassle and take up a lot of space, so if you’ve just got a few plants that need repotting or if you’re looking for a convenient, high-quality potting medium for your plants, check out these great options from our friends over at House of Kо̄jо̄.
Their range of premium plant care products can help your repotting become a breeze!
What’s more? This month, they’re offering 15% off* their Plant Care Collection with code PLANTA15.
Here are a few of our favourite nutrient packed mixes:
Philodendron Potting Substrate
*Offer ends 31.08.23 and valid only on www.houseofkojo.com. No minimum spend needed and offer does not apply to delivery. For full T&Cs please get in touch with info@houseofkojo.com