--- title: "Hey there. Does anybody use this tropical plant soil for their…" description: "Hey there. Does anybody use this tropical plant soil for their plants? I am thinking about using it for my calathea. Does anyone have any experience with using…" url: "https://getplanta.com/community/fQipaoQNS2SCTJGI4q9l9w/oCL8gOtAS7mhZ51wovKhRQ" community: "Equipment & Materials" author: "LearningPlantMom" published: "2024-04-13T18:10:36.842255Z" language: "en" image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/QsglYOZah3J0dczvSzmJYWy_zhTPPcC6NI0e3Vd8578/B1m8ZyxYQuCQQqpopwjeXQ.webp?size=large" --- [Community](https://getplanta.com/community.md) / [Equipment \& Materials](https://getplanta.com/community/fQipaoQNS2SCTJGI4q9l9w.md) # Hey there. Does anybody use this tropical plant soil for their… _Posted by LearningPlantMom on 2024-04-13_ Hey there. Does anybody use this tropical plant soil for their plants? I am thinking about using it for my calathea. Does anyone have any experience with using this soil? ![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/QsglYOZah3J0dczvSzmJYWy_zhTPPcC6NI0e3Vd8578/B1m8ZyxYQuCQQqpopwjeXQ.webp?size=large) ## 18 comments ### em-milleranglin commented on 2024-04-13 i personally dont like miracle gro brand… I made my chunky tropical mix using coco coir, orchid bark, chunky perlite, and worm castings. It makes a huge batch that i keep in a storage bin and it ends up saving $$. You can get all the supplies on amazon. Let me know and I can add pics of the exact stuff I used :)) #### LearningPlantMom replied on 2024-04-13 That would be very nice, thank you! #### em-milleranglin replied on 2024-04-14 ![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/_I5jvcVxqCyRgUer-zgA-DnrMbJeSTJ1wzUbn5chT9k/nBi3u4G_SdmcFC7Asce-OQ.webp?size=large) #### em-milleranglin replied on 2024-04-14 ![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/_I5jvcVxqCyRgUer-zgA-DnrMbJeSTJ1wzUbn5chT9k/wQz1KeH6SvCbb5seQq-OgQ.webp?size=large) #### em-milleranglin replied on 2024-04-14 ![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/_I5jvcVxqCyRgUer-zgA-DnrMbJeSTJ1wzUbn5chT9k/jJVMrSuzS16r7RQYIoXOlA.webp?size=large) #### em-milleranglin replied on 2024-04-14 ![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/_I5jvcVxqCyRgUer-zgA-DnrMbJeSTJ1wzUbn5chT9k/v6YPYCpQSvWyqWaXud2S-w.webp?size=large) _2 more replies in the app_ ### Amie206 commented on 2024-04-13 I use Fox Farm when soil is part of the mixture. I know people who have had a lot of issues with Miracle Grow, so I’ve taken the better safe than sorry route. That said, the further along in the journey, you’ll probably start mixing your own as it can be satisfying and allows you to tweak things based on the plant you’re working with ### letsfindjoy commented on 2024-04-13 I’ve found that it’s not well draining enough on its own for my plants and environment so I use it as the soil additive in my mixture but will probably switch to fox farm bc I can get a larger bag that is more cost effective #### LearningPlantMom replied on 2024-04-13 Is it safe to mix miracle grow with fox farm soil #### letsfindjoy replied on 2024-04-14 Yes but I don’t know why you would Unless you have a bit of soil leftover And are adding to it bc when making a soil mix you only need one source of potting soil so I’d pick one. Then get your additives like perlite, orchid bark, worm castings, leca etc. you can find some diy recipes online. I’ve been experimenting and my current mix is 35% sphagnum peat moss, 20% perlite, 20% earthworm castings, 5% tropical soil, 5% reptile bark or orchid bark, 5% leca, and 5% pea gravel, 5% sand. But you don’t need that many things I just have been having fun testing things out lol. You can find more simple recipes online or a good brand premixed where you don’t need to add anything is sol soil. #### LearningPlantMom replied on 2024-04-14 I was thinking of doing: the miracle grow tropical soil, orchid bark (that includes perlite) peat moss. I will eventually add LECA later on. How and where do you store you soil? #### LearningPlantMom replied on 2024-04-14 Is this just for your plants that need tropical soil? Would you still use this same soil recipe for non- tropical plants, Or succulents? #### letsfindjoy replied on 2024-04-14 ![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/62pQ9W__TC9DqGA4TdWjqHYTgfj_ipYy793211loltI/s9OGaSheTxSKG31C0Kew7Q.webp?size=large) _3 more replies in the app_ --- _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_