---
title: "Hi, I was wondering what soil I should be using for my succulents?…"
description: "Hi, I was wondering what soil I should be using for my succulents? The mixture I've been using is compost, sand and small stones but the soil stays wet for 5…"
url: "https://getplanta.com/community/vOLjreBcQ-OpqrHIhVSc4w/6509ac9b2ef5da70f76651a5"
community: "The Cactus & Succulent Circle"
author: "Mia"
published: "2023-09-19T14:13:47.306Z"
language: "en"
image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v2/cloudinary/global_data/communities/theCactusAndSucculentCircle.jpg"
---

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# Hi, I was wondering what soil I should be using for my succulents?…

_Posted by Mia on 2023-09-19_

Hi, I was wondering what soil I should be using for my succulents? The mixture I've been using is compost, sand and small stones but the soil stays wet for 5 days sometimes... any tips?

## 13 comments

### Dave\_opuntiaface commented on 2023-09-19

Oh, what kind of sand are you using? If it’s regular beach sand, it holds a LOT of moisture. I potted some of mine with beach sand a few years ago - the bags of sand are in the cactus section, so it seemed like a no-brainer.

#### Dave\_opuntiaface replied on 2023-09-19

But the first word that comes up in a description of beach sand says “porous.” In my pots, it didn’t work.

#### Mia replied on 2023-09-19

Alright, thank you. I'll look into it more when I've got all the pots and I'm ready to repot. Trying to get all the pots before my plants that I'm propergating kn water get to many roots

#### Mia replied on 2023-09-19

Hi, again. I've been looking up about succulent soil and apparently if you use less than 50% sand you end up with heavy soil, I'll add what I read "You can add sand to garden soil, but it has to be mixed to specific proportions. If the soil and sand are mixed incorrectly, it results in denser, heavier soil. For clay soil to become sand and lighter, the soil must consist of fifty percent sand."

#### Mia replied on 2023-09-19

I've just been reading and read this "You can add sand to garden soil, but it has to be mixed to specific proportions. If the soil and sand are mixed incorrectly, it results in denser, heavier soil. For clay soil to become sand and lighter, the soil must consist of fifty percent sand."

#### Dave\_opuntiaface replied on 2023-09-20

I’m so glad you looked into that, because I was wondering the same thing about this physics anomaly. This was my problem with sand and the plants soaking in it.

### exholy commented on 2023-09-19

I've been using a mixture of mostly pumice and poultry grit, a little orchid bark or shredded coconut husk, and a tiny bit of soil which seems to work well for my guys. A little more soil ratio for the baby plants

#### Mia replied on 2023-09-19

Ok, thank you

### Danika commented on 2023-09-19

I mix Bonsai Jack tiny rocks with succulent soil. That seems to do the trick for right balance. Sometimes i’ll use Bonsai Jack straight up if the plant likes it extra dry. That also allows me to water more frequently since i’m an over-waterer.

#### Mia replied on 2023-09-19

Ok thank you.

#### Mia replied on 2023-09-19

I just looked up the bonsai soil and I worry that they wont get enough water and I'll have to water every few days?

### Mia commented on 2023-09-19

My comment won't post, I'll try it without replying to @Dave\_nonnon I found this "You can add sand to garden soil, but it has to be mixed to specific proportions. If the soil and sand are mixed incorrectly, it results in denser, heavier soil. For clay soil to become sand and lighter, the soil must consist of fifty percent sand."

### Mia commented on 2023-09-19

Also what about small stones in soil, do they have downsides?

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