Succulents make fantastic house plants that can be displayed on a shelf or window sill, and they will also grow happily outside during the summer months. They are low maintenance as they don't need much watering, and come in range of interesting shapes and colours.
Read our in-depth, expert guides on How to grow succulents and the types of succulents to grow.
Best soil for succulents
Succulents have fleshy leaves that store water. This means that they don’t need to be in continuously damp soil in order to draw up moisture like other plants. In fact, heavy or waterlogged soil will make them very unhappy and could lead to root rot, which can kill them.
Good drainage is the secret of success when it comes to succulents. They prefer a free-draining soil that allows excess water to flow out quickly. You can make your own (see below) or buy a specialist succulent mix.
Here are some examples of pre-made, peat-free succulent potting mix:
Growth Technology Cactus & Succulent Peat-Free Repotting Mix
Are your succulents looking discoloured, yellow or generally unhealthy? You might need to repot them. The Cactus Focus Peat Free Repotting Mix is the perfect solution to keep your cacti and succulents looking and feeling lively. This 3L bag contains a well-balanced blend of coir, composted fine bark, soil, grit, and sand, providing optimal drainage and promoting strong root growth. With a balanced range of nutrients, this mix supports healthy and vigorous growth, resulting in healthy, happy plants. It's also peat-free, which we always prioritise for a sustainable and eco-conscious garden.
Miracle-Gro Premium Peat-Free Cactus, Succulent & Bonsai Compost
- Buy now from B&Q (£6.00).
The Miracle-Gro Premium Peat-Free Cactus, Succulent & Bonsai Compost is designed to provide the perfect balance of moisture retention and excellent drainage. Its lightweight and well-aerated texture allow for proper airflow to the roots, preventing waterlogging and root rot, which are common challenges for these types of plants.
With a pH-balanced formula that creates a slightly acidic environment, this unique compost contains 14 vital minerals and trace elements to support your succulents, promoting healthy growth and vibrant blooms.
Bonsai Jack Succulent and Cactus Soil
- Buy now from Etsy (£15.06).
With its ultra-fast draining design, Bonsai Jack Succulent and Cactus Soil effectively prevents root rot and overwatering, ensuring the health and longevity of your succulents and cacti. This soil is specially formulated without heavy potting soil ingredients like sphagnum or peat moss, mimicking the dry conditions these plants thrive in. This mix features a pH-optimized blend of 5.5, perfect for succulents, as well as cacti and bonsai.
Westland Potting mix Peat-free Cacti & succulent Compost 4L
- Buy now from B&Q (£5.50).
Westland Potting Mix Peat-free Cacti & Succulent Compost is a great growing medium for cacti and succulents. It contains Seramis (fine grade fired clay, which both holds water and allows excellent drainage), grit and sand. This peat-free potting mix promotes strong and healthy plant growth by mimicking the natural environment of cacti and succulents.
How to make your own succulent soil
You can make your own succulent compost by mixing a loam-based compost with equal parts of sharp sand, horticultural grit or perlite.
Sand
Adding sand to your potting mix improves drainage, which is essential for succulents' root health.
RHS Horticultural Sharp Sand Large Pack - 20kg
- Buy now from Homebase (£5.00).
Endorsed by the Royal Horticultural Society, this washed and graded coarse granular sand offers a multitude of uses. Not only is it perfect for making your own succulent soil, you can also use it for adding to compost for rooting cuttings and propagating, breaking up clay soils and top dressing lawns.
Perlite
Adding perlite to regular potting soil can increase drainage and aeration. Perlite is very lightweight, so it's easy to carry home and useful if your succulents are on a less than sturdy shelf.
Gro Sure Perlite 10L
- Buy now from B&Q (£9.95), Amazon (£9.95).
Gro-Sure Perlite 10L improves aeration, drainage, and water retention for healthy root growth. It can replace sand or grit to create a light and open structure for rooting cuttings and potting-on. This naturally occurring, lightweight material can be added to succulent, cactus, seed and cutting compost for additional drainage and aeration.
Grit
Horticultural Alpine Grit
- Buy now from The Range (£4.99).
You can enhance your succulent soil with versatile Horticultural Alpine Grit. You can also use it for composts for root cuttings, marking out seed beds when sowing, or for adding drainage to greenhouse benches.
Succulents are fairly hardy plants, and with the right compost they'll thrive in indoor and outdoor conditions with minimal care. The main culprit when it comes to unhealthy succulents is over-watering them, so you really don't have to worry too much about them at all. We hope you've discovered some helpful tips on how to spruce up your succulents with the correct compost.
Looking for more advice on how to keep your succulents happy? Check out how to grow succulents and types of succulents to grow, and even how to propagate succulents for your very own endless supply of these pretty, low maintenance plants.