In order to best care for your cacti, the quality of the soil cannot be overestimated. There are almost as many recipes for the perfect composition as there are cactus gardeners. Important components should not be missing. Find out what they are here.
What makes good cactus soil?
Good cactus soil should provide stable support for the root system, be airy and loose and ensure reliable water storage. A tried and tested mixture consists of 60% succulent soil, 20% expanded clay and 20% vermiculite. Avoid waterlogging and nutrient-rich soil.
Good cactus soil has to do that
The better the substrate simulates the conditions in the natural distribution area, the more vital and he althy your cacti will thrive. In the barren soil of their homeland, mineral components dominate, whereas humus is only contained in small quantities. The ideal cactus soil should offer the succulents these qualities:
- Stable support for the root system
- Airy, loose for unhindered rooting
- Reliable water storage over a longer period of time so that the water can be stored
In particular, the substrate must not tend to compact, because every cactus will die from waterlogging.
Proven standard mixtures for beginners
Cactus experts have developed their individual substrate mixture over time. They use mature compost or peat as humus components, which are added to mineral components such as lava granules, pumice gravel, lime-free sand or vermiculite. The following recipes have proven to be ideal for getting started:
- 60 percent succulent soil, 20 percent expanded clay (€19.00 at Amazon), 20 percent vermiculite
- 30 percent acidic coniferous or leaf compost, 30 percent peat, 20 percent pumice, 20 percent lava granules
- 30 percent humus, 30 percent garden soil, 30 percent coconut fibers and 20 grams of lime-free quartz sand per liter of substrate
The latter recipe is recommended for majestic cacti to give them more stability with the help of soil.
Tip
When you propagate cacti, the already poor succulent soil is still too nutrient-rich for adult plants. Therefore, always place cuttings and seedlings in cactus soil that you have previously reduced by half with lime-free quartz sand.
