Why Gritty?

Succulent roots hate sitting wet. A gritty mix drains in seconds and still holds a little moisture in the grit.

The Basic Recipe

For a typical jade or echeveria mix:

  • 2 parts coarse sharp sand or poultry grit
  • 2 parts perlite or pumice
  • 1 part quality potting soil (just enough to feed)

For cacti and lithops, drop the soil to half a part and add more grit.

Mixing Tips

  • Use a bucket, not the pot.
  • Wet the mix slightly so dust settles before potting.
  • Top-dress with grit so water does not pool at the neck.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I use garden soil?

A:

No -- it packs tight and stays wet. Use a bagged mix as your one "soil" part.

Q: Perlite or pumice?

A:

Either; pumice lasts longer and does not float.

Q: Do I need the sand?

A:

Yes, for grit; horticultural grit or poultry grit, not fine play sand.

A free-draining mix is the difference between a succulent that lives and one that rots. Pair it with the watering calculator.