How to Make the Best Potting Soil for Succulents

Succulents thrive in arid environments with warm, dry, sandy soils that are drenched occasionally with torrential rainfall. Succulents store water in their leaves which are thick and fleshy. Their water needs depend on the type of soil where they are planted. Overwatering is the biggest problem with succulents; they must have well-draining soils to get rid of any excess water. The soil needs to be loose as well so there is room for the root system to expand. Succulents can drown if they planted in a dense, compacted soil like clay that retains water.

5 gallon bucket
Soap
Water
Bleach
4 quarts sand
4 quarts perlite
4 quarts potting soil
1/2 cup bone meal
Heavy duty garbage bag

Instructions

- 1
  Wash a 5 gallon bucket with hot soapy water and rinse with 1 part bleach and 9 parts water. This will disinfect your container so you do not contaminate your soil. Allow the bucket to air dry completely.
- 2
  Mix together 4 quarts of medium grit sand and 4 quarts of perlite in your bucket. This allows the soil to have fast draining properties.
- 3
  Add 4 quarts of potting soil to the sand mixture. Mix this very well so there are no dirt clumps and everything is loose.
- 4
  Add half a cup of bone meal in your bucket. Succulents need a small amount of organic material mixed into the soil; bone meal is a slow release plant food.
- 5
  Pour the succulent potting mixture into a heavy duty garbage bag. Tie the bag tightly closed to protect the soil mixture from bugs and other contaminants.

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