---
title: "The soil is retaining water for a long time in this metal mug, should…"
description: "The soil is retaining water for a long time in this metal mug, should I change the soil to something like succulent/cactus soil so it’ll dry between watering…"
url: "https://getplanta.com/community/lKxUkhzRR_aIJD7o1QvtwQ/-3jUzBjwSA-5SwA2bKpV_A?language=it"
community: "Pests, diseases and problems"
author: "✨PlantMama✨"
published: "2024-04-09T18:15:11.334527Z"
language: "en"
image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v2/cloudinary/global_data/communities/pestsDiseasesAndProblems.jpg"
---

[Community](https://getplanta.com/community.md?language=it) / [Pests, diseases and problems](https://getplanta.com/community/lKxUkhzRR_aIJD7o1QvtwQ.md?language=it)

# The soil is retaining water for a long time in this metal mug, should…

_Pubblicato da ✨PlantMama✨ il 2024-04-09_

The soil is retaining water for a long time in this metal mug, should I change the soil to something like succulent/cactus soil so it’ll dry between watering or is this not an issue? Should I just just water less? I’m new to plants but I’ve heard root rot or bugs can be an issue. Thanks for any advice!

## 9 commenti

### GreenLeaf ha commentato il 2024-04-09

This plant NEEDS to be in a pot with drainage. It has to dry out completely between waterings. It retains a lot of water in its leaves which makes it a drought tolerant plant and prone to root rot.

#### ✨PlantMama✨ ha risposto il 2024-04-09

OK thank you!

### letsfindjoy ha commentato il 2024-04-09

Is the plant planted directly into the metal pitcher or is it being used as a cache pot (where you have it in a plastic pot and that is sitting inside the metal pitcher)? Not only does the soil need to be well draining soil but it’s pot needs to have drainage holes and be the right soil to roots ratio (only 1-2 inches larger than the root ball).

#### ✨PlantMama✨ ha risposto il 2024-04-09

It’s planted directly in with a layer of rocks at the bottom. Thank you for the info!

#### letsfindjoy ha risposto il 2024-04-09

Gotcha, yeah I’d repot it in a pot with drainage holes and then you can place it in the metal tin using it as a cache pot. I wouldn’t put rocks in the bottom of a pot. I’d recommend looking into perched water tables in potted plants, it will explain why putting rocks at the bottom actually have the opposite effect of drainage on the pot.

#### ✨PlantMama✨ ha risposto il 2024-04-09

I’m repotting today with your suggestion, thank you!

### Sunny ha commentato il 2024-04-10

Drill holes or change the container (recommended). Hoyas hate roots in standing water or dense soil. They are practically air plants. The hang onto trees catching rain water off the bark.

Change the soil to a chunky mix for hoyas not the standard potting mix. See my hoya linearis in the pic as an example of a chunky hoya mix. It’s very airy. The coconut husk retains moisture without drowning the roots. It quickly dries out in less than a week. Perlite and worm castings are often added.

![Allegato 1 di 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/wefqOljjhEOiS9LRzOB1-QhxkVJiB4A5DGumXhnNrhs/4PhK5pdaQhicjI04KPjxIg.webp?size=large)

#### Sunny ha risposto il 2024-04-10

Fertilizer beads are typically mixed into the chunky mix.

#### ✨PlantMama✨ ha risposto il 2024-04-10

Thank you! I repotted with holes and I’ll look into new soil

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