--- title: "what's your favorite soil mixture for philos? I generally just do…" description: "what's your favorite soil mixture for philos? I generally just do potting mix and perlite. 🤷 it's what I got. lol" url: "https://getplanta.com/community/6WjlL_2rTSS00GnYx8UA_g/VGfB6bAXnWcUgayKSZzHrF" community: "Philodendron Parents" author: "PhiloFox" published: "2024-12-19T15:11:15.954879Z" language: "en" image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v2/cloudinary/global_data/communities/philodendronParents.jpg" --- [Community](https://getplanta.com/community.md) / [Philodendron Parents](https://getplanta.com/community/6WjlL_2rTSS00GnYx8UA_g.md) # what's your favorite soil mixture for philos? I generally just do… _Posted by PhiloFox on 2024-12-19_ what's your favorite soil mixture for philos? I generally just do potting mix and perlite. 🤷 it's what I got. lol ## 17 comments ### Thetropicalplantcave commented on 2024-12-19 I have a good mix for philodendrons. I create an aroid mix which works for all types of aroids 1 part coco peat 1 part perlite 2/3 part coco chips 1/4 part pumice 1/3 part bark The great part is, you can put more coco coir if your plant is more thirsty. (I preferably use large chunky perlite, normal works totally fine.) Feel free to add or subtract some items if you can’t find these items #### PhiloFox replied on 2024-12-19 coco peat, like eco earth? and no potting mix? like actual dirt? lol also I have no idea what pumice is so I'll look into that ### Thetropicalplantcave commented on 2024-12-19 You could use potting mix, I find it tracks fungus gnats though ### Thetropicalplantcave commented on 2024-12-19 Coco peat , coco coir, same stuff #### PhiloFox replied on 2024-12-19 okay I wasn't sure, I have some of that on hand for my reptiles! ### Josie commented on 2024-12-19 Same, I just get cheap composted dirt and add a crap ton of perlite to it. Worm castings as well if I have it. So far none of my plants have hated me for it, though I use more perlite for stuff like my alocasias, philos, monsteras and such. #### PhiloFox replied on 2024-12-19 how much worm castings do I do? I have that on hand. and greens and, whatever that's good for \[I have both for my hermit crabs lol\] #### Josie replied on 2024-12-19 I measure with my soul 😂 I make like 3/4 of a five gallon bucket at a time and just dump some amount in there with it #### PhiloFox replied on 2024-12-19 okay well like 1/3 soil, 1/3 perlite, 1/3 worm castings? or is that too much castings #### Josie replied on 2024-12-20 I think I put roughly like 2-3 cups worth in my five gallon bucket of soil. But again I eyeball it so ### Wolfen 🐺 commented on 2024-12-19 I'd say equal parts. But I mix it 'to taste' 😆 🤣 . 1 part fox farm ocean, 1 part orchid/kiwi bark, 1 part perlite, 1 part pumice, 1 part charcoal, 1/2 part gypsum. Sometimes I add akadama as part of the pumice. Then I also use Mycorrhizal and rooting powder. Depending on the plant i may add osmocote too. #### PhiloFox replied on 2024-12-19 what if I want to make a small terrarium or prop terrerium and I only have: topsoil, perlite, greensand, worm castings, sphagnum moss ### Wolfen 🐺 commented on 2024-12-19 You could probably use 1 part each. 1/2-1/4 part castings. If it's enclosed like a terrarium I'm always wary of too much fertilizer. And you'll want to lay down a drainage layer. Charcoal is ideal too #### PhiloFox replied on 2024-12-19 what makes a good drainage layer? leca? #### Wolfen 🐺 replied on 2024-12-19 Gravel. Leca. For super tiny, you'll sometimes see sand. But I'm a bit wary of sand drainage layers as they become anaerobic and can grow bacteria ### Courtanee commented on 2024-12-22 A lot of people have already commented, but i use Molly's Aroid Mix, you can buy it on amazon #### PhiloFox replied on 2024-12-22 cool. I might do a pre-made mix for now. thank you for your suggestion! --- _Source: the Planta community (https://getplanta.com). Reading is open to everyone. To post, comment and like, get the Planta app: https://getplanta.com/download_