---
title: "Can we talk soil mix? I think it’s really important. Especially if…"
description: "Can we talk soil mix? I think it’s really important. Especially if you want your plants to thrive! With spring quickly approaching Planta is sure to start…"
url: "https://getplanta.com/community/lZ7uAE3pQ86jnFGxrCwLrg/65b7d7fa6880ecb607f6ccf1"
community: "Anything about plants"
author: "Women are Water"
published: "2024-01-29T16:53:14.63Z"
language: "en"
image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/vpyZc8ITdqrtEIsb6abRUlTe_E-H019oUDdZnDiD_MA/937fac8c4dab4885bb11963400ffb79c.webp?size=large"
---

[Community](https://getplanta.com/community.md) / [Anything about plants](https://getplanta.com/community/lZ7uAE3pQ86jnFGxrCwLrg.md)

# Can we talk soil mix? I think it’s really important. Especially if…

_Posted by Women are Water on 2024-01-29_

Can we talk soil mix?

I think it’s really important. Especially if you want your plants to thrive! With spring quickly approaching Planta is sure to start recommending to repot all of your plants. 😂 And it’s the season for fungus gnats! 😩😂

The next time you repot, consider what soil mix is best for your plants. I’m an overwaterer so I prefer a chunky airy mix. (Otherwise known as an aroid mix.)

Now this is more then just adding some bark to a bag of soil. The problem with that is both of these materials retain moisture. 🤔 The last thing anyone wants is fungus gnats! Personally I like to use a combination of bark, coco chips and or coconut husks along with some CHUNKY perlite, CHUNKY horticulture charcoal and even some limestone. It should be airy and fast draining.

Trust me, I was once that plant parent that thought unamended bag soil was good enough. 🤫 But honestly their soil mix is nothing like what the plant would be getting in its natural environment. 👎🏽 In it’s natural environment there’d be a mixture of soil, bark, tree branches and even rock! (Depending on the plant of course)

If you are an overwaterer like me or having a hard time with pests like fungus gnats that are drawn to moist soil, do yourself a favor and check out the ton of videos on YouTube on DIY soil or check out the tutorial on Plants (the one thing I’d add is horticultural charcoal 😊). I promise, your plants will thank you for it! 🪴🪴🪴

In the meantime, what type soil mix do you use? What type of amendments do you add? Do you make your own or purchase it?

Attached is a picture of my chunky mix. And a picture of a mix I purchase from BWH when I don’t want to make my own.

Happy planting! 😊🪴

![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/vpyZc8ITdqrtEIsb6abRUlTe_E-H019oUDdZnDiD_MA/937fac8c4dab4885bb11963400ffb79c.webp?size=large)

## 4 comments

### Amie206 commented on 2024-01-29

Most of my plants are in something similar to what you describe. I’ve found that most of my houseplants (besides cactus or succulents) thrive in a chunky, airy mix.

#### Women are Water replied on 2024-01-29

🪴🪴🪴I love it!!

### addie commented on 2024-01-29

I mostly use just simple dirt mix from lowe’s, been looking to get more into soil once i can afford it. but plants are growing great right now

#### Women are Water replied on 2024-01-29

Good! I used it for year with no problems. Until,,, lol Be mindful of miracle grow. It gave me fungus gnats. Hopefully they improved their formula! Lol

---

_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_