Best Succulent Soil Reviewed - with Buying Guide (2023)

Succulents and Cacti are different than other plants. Thus requiring a different type of soil too. In their natural habitats, they usually have to face very drought situations. So they always store moisture in stems or leaves.

In succulent's natural habitats, the type of soil structure where they grow is usually very porous and well-draining.

So, if you want to grow these succulents in your area, you’ll have to use well-drainable and nutrients rich soil. Succulents should never be sitting in wet soil for a long time, otherwise, they will absorb more water than needed, or worst, their roots will rot. Usually, if you let them sit in water for a day or two, depending on your succulents type, their roots will rot.

A succulent or Cactus soil structure is a specially formulated soil. It is well drainable but also absorbs water quickly, is porous for aerating roots, and at the same time nutrient rich. So, your succulents will have a natural habitat-like environment where they will flourish.

You can make your succulents soil, which I encourage you to do so. Because it is more fun. I’ve written the ultimate guide about DIY succulents soil. OR if you are in a hurry, or you want to get it quickly, then you have some pre-mixed options as well.

To make it easy for you, I’ve reviewed and compiled a list of the top 9 succulents and cacti soils available in the market right now. So, you’ll get the best out of your investment and where your succulents will flourish.

Our Top Soil Picks

Top Soil For Containers: Our top pick for the perfect succulent soil structure is the Succulent and Cactus (2.5 Dry Quarts) Soil Mix by “Superfly”.

These are well-draining, nutrient-rich, and beautiful-looking succulent soil. They are the perfect type of soil for succulents in pots/containers and are a better soil recipe. These pots can be with drainage holes or without. But better to have drainage holes.

Top Soil For Ground/Outdoor: Our top pick succulent soil for ground or outdoors is 1-Gallon Succulent Soils by “Fat Plants San Diego”.

It is formulated according to a homemade soil recipe that is being used for succulents and cacti for years. The “Fat Plants San Diego” company is also a licensed one and they have experienced growers with their nursery.

Make sure your succulent mix is for indoor pots or outdoor grounds or both while purchasing.

9 Best Succulents and Cacti Soil Mixes - Table of Contents

1. Succulent and Cactus Soil Mix by “Superfly” - Get on Amazon
2. Succulent Soil by “Fat Plants San Diego” - Get on Amazon
3. Organic Cactus and Succulent Soil Mix by “Hoffman” - Get on Amazon
4. Espoma CA4 Organic Cactus Mix by “Espoma”- Get on Amazon
5. Cactus and Succulent Soil Mix, Classic Blend by “rePotme” - Get on Amazon
6. Succulent Planter Soil Kit Terrarium by “TerraGreen Creations” - Get on Amazon
7. Cactus, Palm, and Citrus Potting Mix by “Miracle-Gro” - Get on Amazon
8. Succulent Soil Mix by “Perfect Plants” - Get on Amazon
9. Organic Succulent Soil by “Bliss Gardens” - Get on Amazon

Buying Guide

Summary

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Succulent and Cactus (2.5 Dry Quarts) Soil Mix by “Superfly Bonsai”

This is also like the above succulent soil. It drains well, is airy, and provides enough nutrients and moisture to grow your succulents healthily.

The Superfly Bonsai succulents soil is exclusively formulated for Succulents and Cacti.

It is ready to use in your indoor and outdoor garden. It is a blend of Hard Japanese Akadama which provides water retention, USA Pumice to provide nutrients, New Zealand Pine Bark to hold water and fertilizer, and USA Haydite to absorb and release excess water.

The particle size of this succulent soil is also about 1/4 inch, which provides good air circulation. Over-watering prevention is one of its features. This soil makes it easy to maintain your stunning succulents. Due to its features, in a short time, your succulents will produce strong roots, fleshy stems, and beautiful, colorful blooms.

One other quality of this soil product is that this succulent soil zip bag is resealable. So it helps to prevent the remaining mix from being contaminated by fungi or pests.

The Superfly Bonsai succulents soil comes in a 25-quart bag (equal to 12 cups), there are 1.25, 6, and 12-quart bags available as well.

If for some reason you are not happy with your purchase, the Superfly Bonsai offer a 100% money-back guarantee.

Pros

• Excellent quality and better soil.
• Very good value for money.
• Highly effective for succulents.
• It is premixed, sifted, and ready to use in your garden.
• Exclusively formulated for succulents.
• Substrate a non-organic mix of hard Japanese Akadama, USA pumice, and New Zealand. pine bark, and USA Haydite, without any dirt.
• It provides well-drainage, water retention, nutrient uptake, and air to the roots.
• Easy zip resealable bag to prevent the remaining mix from contamination.
• Superfly Bonsai’s 100% Money back guarantee.
• Available different-sized bags to suit your need.

Cons

• It is on the expensive side. But due to its features, it is worth it.

1-Gallon Succulent Soil by “Fat Plants San Diego”

This is the last premium succulent soil by “Fat Plants San Diego” that is used to grow and bloom succulents to perfection.

“Fat Plants San Diego” is a California-based nursery and grower. They have formulated their succulent soil according to a homemade recipe. This soil is being used to grow succulents for years.

The Fat Plant succulents soil consists of sand and perlite, worm castings, blood and bone meal, volcanic pumice, and peat moss. It is a well-drained mix, full of nutrients.

The Fat Plants succulent's soil particles size is not uniform which allows the plants to absorb the right amount of water.

This soil is also already mixed and very easy to use. It creates a desert-like environment that succulents crave.

The Fat Plants Succulent soil mix is available in 1/2-gallon, 1-gallon, and 2-gallon bags.

Pros

• Premium quality,
• Great value for your money
• It is highly effective
• Made from a successful home-made recipe
• Soil is specially designed for cacti and succulents by a licensed grower and nursery
• Nutrient-rich soil mix
• Particles size varies which allows for quick draining
• Available in 1/2, 1, and 2-gallon bags.

Cons

• It is a little bit on the expensive side.

10404 4-Quarts Organic Cactus and Succulent Soil Mix by “Hoffman”

Hoffman’s organic cacti and succulent soil are specifically formulated for jungle and desert cacti, aloe vera, and other succulents.

This soil mix contains a blend of reed sedge peat, Canadian sphagnum peat moss, sand, limestone, and perlite. It is a great soil mix for most succulents. Its pH level has already been balanced so it is ready to use right out of the bag. It provides good nutrients, moisture retention, and draining.

Hoffman includes some useful information about growing succulents, and you can find complete directions on the pack.

If for some reason, you find any draining issues or it is not what you would like to do, just add some gravel to the bottom of the pot and pop the soil on top.

To make sure that the soil provides the right amount of moisture to your succulents, make sure you follow Hoffman’s instructions.

Typically the product comes in packs of 4 quarts, but you can order multiple to suit your gardening needs.

Pros

• Its low budget, good quality, and good value for the money
• Organic cactus and succulent potting soil mix
• It is also ideal for smaller cacti
• It is specially designed for jungle and desert cacti and succulents
• Pre-mixed and is ready-to-use
• Professionally formulated soil mix
• Provides enough drainage that cacti need to flourish
• pH level is balanced
• Instruction to use and other useful information about caring for succulents.

Cons

• Poor moisture absorption
• Only a few packet sizes are available.
• Not certified organic

Espoma CA4 4-Quart Organic Cactus Mix by “Espoma”

The Espoma CA4 organic cactus mix soil is better if you are starting up, or you need a quick nutrient boost for your cacti and succulents.

This 4-quart organic cactus all-natural mix contains 40-50% peat humus, sphagnum peat moss, sand and perlite, earthworm castings, and dolomitic limestone. The soil quality is further boosted with Espoma’s special ingredient called Myco-tone Mycorrhizae.

This soil blend has an almost neutral pH level to cater to succulents. It has 30% less amount of water, which helps retain moisture in the soil. It also improves aeration so your plant will develop a stronger root system.

Your succulents, cactus, palm, or citrus plants can grow up strong and healthy. For citrus plants, Espoma’s succulent soil help to reduce drought stress.

This cactus mix is approved for organic gardening by a certifying USDA agent, however, the product is not yet OMRI-listed.

You can order the Espoma succulent soil mix in a 4-quart bag or 2-pack.

Pros

• Premium quality with a good price
• The all-natural and organic ingredients mix
• It is effective
• Nutrient boosted with Myco-tone Mycorrhizae
• Can be used for all cactus palm, citrus, and succulents
• Helps retain moisture and improves air circulation
• Promotes better and stronger root growth
• USDA-approved for organic gardening
• Easy to use and ready to use

Cons

• If you are using it for fragile plants, try avoiding it.
• Be careful with over-watering, as this soil tends to absorb it too much.
• The product is not yet OMRI listed.

Cactus and Succulent Soil Mix - Classic Blend (Mini Bag) by “rePotme”

The rePotme potting mix is a superior blend. Its quality and freshness level are great. It is handcrafted in small batches. The main benefit of using this cactus soil is that it is resistant to a lot of insects and pathogens which can help keep and grow your succulents healthy.

Besides insect and pathogen resistance, it drains well while still absorbing enough amount of water for your succulents. It still holds onto enough water that your succulents need without any risk of rotting.

In this succulent soil mix, pumice, perlite, sand, and stalite are mixed without any peat moss. Note that peat moss can attract fungus gnats which can be devastating to your succulents. Instead, coir or ground coconut husk is used as a durable and effective replacement.

One other feature of this product is that it comes in a sealable bag. So you can save the remaining mix from contamination.

The rePotme cactus and succulent soil mix are available from 4 quarts to 12 quarts packs. To give you an idea about this volume, 1 quart fills about one 6-inch wide pot.

Pros

• Premium quality with a good price
• Handcrafted in small batches for consistent quality and freshness
• Resistant to many pathogens and insects
• Rot Resistant as it drains well
• Helps retain moisture and improves air circulation
• Promotes better and stronger roots
• ideal for succulents, cacti, Christmas cacti, and epiphyllums
• Easy and ready to use

Cons

• Slightly expensive
• May absorb more amount of water than needed if you watered more often.

Succulent Planter Soil Kit Terrarium by “TerraGreen Creations”

If you need a complete kit to set up a nice-looking terrarium, you should get this product from “TerraGreen Creations”.

It includes everything you need to set up a stunning terrarium. It even comes with an easy to follow instructions. You just need to add your succulents to it.

In this terrarium kit, you’ll get washed pea gravel for drainage, organic soil for nutrients, activated charcoal to remove toxins, smooth and beautiful river rock for decoration, and to add a bright pop of color, to remove extra moisture, a bright sheet of moss.

You can buy these things individually, but they are normally sold in bulk, which can cost you more. While with the kit, you’ll only get what’s needed, which will eventually save you some bucks.

It also makes a great gift for someone learning to grow succulents.

This kit is available in 3 different sizes, i.e. small, medium, and large. Each package includes a generous amount of materials so you can put together exactly the kind of terrarium you want.

Pros

• Beginners friendly
• Good value for money
• Includes a generous amount of materials
• Includes, washed pea gravel, organic soil, activated charcoal, beautiful river rock, and bright sheet moss.
• All-in-one package for terrarium setup
• ideal for succulents learner
• Instructions included
• Easy to use and setup

Cons

• Less Soil - They should increase the soil as it is a little less than expected.

8-Quart Cactus, Palm, and Citrus Potting Mix by “Miracle-Gro”

The “Miracle-Gro” potting mix is a well-draining soil mix for bringing life to your succulents, cacti, palms, and citrus plants.

This Miracle-Gro potting mix is specifically formulated to be used in indoor containers for growing all types of succulents, palm, cacti, and citrus plants. The soil drains well and is full of nutrients and your plant species will grow healthy.

To make sure that your plants have the right soil environment for 6 months, the soil's fast-draining formula is enriched with Miracle-Gro Plant Food.

This succulent soil mix includes sand, sphagnum peat moss, and perlite to help prevent soil compaction and enhance its water drainage capability.

There is also an impressive 6-month money-back guarantee from the Miracle-Gro company if you do not like their succulent mix.

You can order this succulent mix from an 8-quarts packet to 4-packs.

Pros

• High-quality, Very good value for money
• It’s affordable
• Specifically formulated for growing indoor succulents, cacti, palm, citrus, and succulents in pots
• The soil is very effective
• It’s pre-mixed and easy to use
• Enriched with nutrients that feed your plants for up to 6 months.
• Enriched with special Miracle-Gro plant food
• An improved fast-draining formula that prevents soil compaction and improves drainage.
• Impressive 6-month money-back guarantee from Manufacturer.
• Available from an 8-quart packet or 4-packs

Cons

• Only for plants in containers/pots
• Not for in-ground plants
• Be careful while watering, as it can absorb much water or you may need to add extra perlite

4-Quart Succulent Soil Mix by “Perfect Plants”

“Perfect Plants” Succulent Soil Mix is for growing perfect succulents.

The Perfect Plants succulent mix provides moderate air circulation and moisture to your plant roots. It is also nutrients rich soil providing a better-growing environment for your succulents to grow.

As you may know, succulents do not enjoy too much moisture in their soil. This soil mix is used by professionals in “Perfect Plants” for growing succulents. It provides proper aeration, and drainage, and is enriched with nutrients. In this soil, the roots of your succulents will be saved from rotting and will be able to expand easily.

The Perfect Plants soil mix is pH-balanced. It includes organic peat moss, composted pine bark, lime, perlite, and some other powerful ingredients. The soil is well-drained and arid-type, which your succulent and cactus plants usually love to grow in.

One other best thing is that it comes in a heavy-duty, zip resealable bag, in which you can reseal the remaining soil to be saved from contamination.

Perfect Plants Succulents soil mix is available in 4-quarts and 8-quart bags.

Pros

• High-quality with a good price
• Very good value for the money
• pH-balanced succulents soil
• Fresh and organic soil
• Organic ingredients mix soil
• Specifically designed soil mix for succulents
• Provides balanced air circulation, moisture, and nutrients
• Professionally mixed soil
• Very effective
• Can be used for all types of succulents
• Comes in a heavy-duty, zip-resealable bag

Cons

• The soil is a little bit heavy than its competitors.

4-Quarts Organic Succulent and Cactus Soil by “Bliss Gardens”

If you want to grow your succulents and cacti quickly into stunning and healthy vibrant plants, you should get the “Bliss Gardens” succulents soil mix.

The Bliss Gardens succulents soil mix contains some unique ingredients that make it different from the rest. It is made up of coconut coir, shale rocks, peat moss, perlite, horticultural charcoal to remove toxicity, expanded clay, worm castings, horticultural sand, glacial rock dust, and dolomite lime.

These ingredients improve the filtering, soil drainage, and provide useful nutrients. They also balance the soil pH level.

In this soil, Mycorrhizae root inoculate is also being used which makes a beneficial fungus that promotes strong and healthy roots.

The Bliss Gardens soil is made in Green Bay, Wisconsin. It is a hand-made soil mix that is specially formulated for those succulent plants that need extra drainage.

So, if your succulents need more care, you should get the Bliss Gardens organic succulent and cactus soil. It’ll help your beautiful desert plants flourish.

Currently, the Bliss Gardens succulents soil mix is only available in a 4-quart bag to order.

Pros

• Great quality with a good price
• Very good value for your money
• It is a premium handmade succulent soil mix
• Specially formulated for succulents that need extra drainage
• It has some unique organic ingredients that make it different from the rest
• Made in Green Bay, Wisconsin, all hand-made
• It is a highly effective soil
• pH balanced

Cons

• It absorbs more water than superfly bonsai mix soil.

Buying Guide For Picking Best Succulents Soil

You can see, there are a lot of options available, which makes it difficult to pick which is best for you. Because everyone tries to push only their succulents soil features.

If you want to buy it from anywhere just look for some of the following qualities or ingredients it has, and you’ll get the best soil for your stunning succulents.

Succulents soil must be well-draining

Succulents do not like to sit in wet soil for too long. Otherwise, it’ll absorb too much water, which is one of the deadliest mistakes a grower can make. Overwatering is a disaster that kills stunning succulents.

Moreover, their roots will rot if you keep them in wet soil for a long time, which also kills them.

So, good soil must drain water well.

At the same time, a succulents soil must also absorb water quickly. So, the plant will be able to get what it needs.

Succulents soil must be porous (gaps in particles)

A succulent's soil must have some gaps between their particles. This will allow air circulation in roots.

If soil blocks most of the air circulation, the roots will rot soon, or won’t grow any further. So aerating succulent roots is also very important to consider.

Succulents soil must be nutrients rich

Without nutrients, no plant can grow and succulents are no different.

A succulent's soil must provide enough nutrients to the plant so they can flourish in it. If you are growing them in containers/pots, then you should care a little extra for their nutrients needs.

Succulents soil should not attract bugs

Usually, soil having peat moss attracts fungus gnats. So you should avoid the one that has the peat moss in it. You can work around it, but it is better to avoid it in the first place.

Succulents soil should be pH balanced (around 6 pH)

This is a little bit tricky… Most of the succulents like to grow in a slightly acidic soil having a pH level of around 6 pH. However, some succulents types can grow in less acidic soil.

But, alkaline soil is more likely to kill succulents than a slightly acidic one. So always look for the pH level of the soil.

Usually, if the soil is too acidic, horticultural lime is added which will correct the pH and make the soil less acidic or more alkaline.

Succulents soil particles sizes

Look for soil particle sizes and try to pick one that has a little bit bigger size. It should be about 1/4 to 1/8 inches.

A bigger particle size solves the roots aeration problem and up to most of the poor water draining problem. Both of these problems can kill your succulents or cacti. So always look for a little bigger particle size.

Ingredients types in succulents and cactus soil

Always choose a soil that has both organic and inorganic components. This will provide necessary nutrients, will balance the pH level, will make it absorb water quickly, and will make it well-draining. It'll be the best soil for succulents and cacti.

Bottom Line

For Growing in Containers

For growing in containers: Our top pick for the best succulents soil is the Succulents and Cactus (2.5 Dry Quarts) Soil Mix by “Superfly Bonsai” (2nd Top Quality).

These are well-draining, nutrient-rich, and beautiful looking succulents soil. They are perfect for cacti & succulents in pots.

For Growing in the Ground

For growing in the ground/outdoor: Our top pick for the perfect succulents soil for ground or outdoor is 1-Gallon Mix by “Fat Plants San Diego” for outdoor/indoor plants (with sand).

It is one of the Best Soil for Outdoor Succulents

It is formulated according to a home-made soil recipe that is being used for growing succulents for years. The “Fat Plants San Diego” company is also a licensed one and they have experienced growers with their nursery.

Let me know if I missed something, or you want to suggest anything, or just saying thanks or anything else you like, this helps us motivate to continue researching...