Everybody gets that cacti and succulents like dry soil and a little desert heat.
Some stores even have cacti and succulents labeled “assorted succulent”.
So, does this mean cactus soil can be used for succulents?
No, cactus soil is not recommended for succulents. Even though they are both similar and like the same environments, cacti and succulents have very different needs, and therefore need very different soil.
Are Cacti and Succulents The Same Thing
Okay, so let’s clarify a few things because there is a difference from cactus to succulent.
All cacti are succulents, but not all succulents are cacti. Cacti are a type of succulent that can store moisture, but without leaves and instead with spines, i.e. spiky bits.
Cactus comes from the Greek work kaktos which literally means spiny plant.
Succulents, are a group of plants.
This group includes plants that can store water in leaves, stems, or roots, to sanction a drought.
So, every cacti, is a succulent, but, some succulents are not cacti.
What Is Cactus Soil
So think of cactus soil like the dirt in the desert.
It’s dry and crumbly, drains quickly and has little to no organic matter.
I’m thinking of all those westerns you might have seen, and the desert is so dry, depending on the time of year you see tumbleweed blowing across the dry,
hard packed dirt that the cacti love to have.
This is all cactus soil is trying to emulate.
Cacti have weak roots, so too much water could harm the plant. The deserts dry so quickly due to the limited rains, and the rain that does come, drains quickly.
Cacti have adapted to the heat by soaking up a reservoir of water very fast, about as fast as it drains away, so they can have some for later, should they need it.
Too much water in the soil can cause root rot quickly.
Did you know that you could potentially ruin your cactus even if you gave them a small amount of water regularly- and it was some kind of watering regiment? This is due to all of the moisture in the soil could create major damage.
How Is Succulent Soil Different?
There are several ways that succulent soil is different.
Moisture Content
Cacti can’t have any moisture left in the soil or all or part of the plant can be dead due to root rot from the water.
Succulents must have well-draining soil plus plenty of water available when needed so they can get some moisture when they need it.
In succulent soil there are additives like perlite that will hold onto the moisture and allow for the rest of the water to drain through.
Organic Matter
The desert is generally pretty dry, so there are no leaves, branches, dead trees, or grass, all of which decompose and add organic matter to the soil.
Succulents have higher organic matter requirements. They feed on the nutrients to get bigger and fuller, and without nutrients, the plants can run out of nutrients and starve.
In succulent soil, they will be considerable organic matter, such as coco coir, peat, and mulch.
Can You Make Your Own Succulent Soil
There are a couple of different ways you can make succulent soil.
Amending Cactus Soil
One of the ways you can make succulent soil is to amend cactus soil.
Cactus soil already has great drainage, but will need organic matter, and perlite to hold moisture.
To add organic matter, simply add regular potting soil, as long as it has a lot of peat, coir, or mulch that is organic matter.
Then when the organic material breaks down and decays, it will give off the nutrients that succulents need.
Combination
You can also make a succulent soil blend by combining:
- regular potting soil
- coarse sand
- and perlite
This is cheaper, and it will likely be easier than amended cactus soil or soil for succulents.
The best blend ratio is three parts potting soil, two parts coarse sand, and one part perlite.
Using potting soil gives the blend a strong organic material base.
Using something with peat, coir, or mulch supply the succulents with nutrients as the organic material decays.
Using coarse sand provides the soil with adequate drainage.
The individual Particles are large enough to provide space through which the water can drain and they won’t compress/compact under weight.
Perlite is important to a succulent soil blend. To make perlite, make molten glass from cooled lava and heat it to extremely high temperatures. Within the glass, moisture expands to the point where the glass explodes in tiny “pops.”
“popped” perlite contains very tiny grooves that will hold some moisture, where the remaining water will be free to drain out of the soil.
When the plant is in need of water, it draws moisture in from perlite.
Final Thoughts
There ya go! Don’t put succulents in cactus soil, unless you’re changing the soil around to make it more suitable to the needs of your succulent.
As strange as it is that cacti are types of succulent and they there is very different spectrum of needs in soils, using the appropriate soil will ensure your plants will grow better and fuller.