Best Soil for Succulents

You pick up and put down the colorful fertilizers on the shelves -- will fertilizing succulents be like pumping high-calorie beverages into skinny people, but instead harm them? The last time your neighbor's succulent rotted its roots because of fertilizer, it made you worry about “fertilizer”. In fact, fertilizer is not a beast to succulents; the key lies in “what to apply, how to apply”. Today, to unveil the fertilizer and succulent “love-hate relationship”, so that you can master the trick of safe fertilization, so that the succulent grows fat, strong, and solid!  The “balanced way” between fertilizer and succulents Succulents are naturally tolerant of barrenness, and they survive in their native environment on the meager nutrients brought in by occasional rainfall, which makes many people think that “succulents don't need fertilizer.” However, in reality, in an artificial growing environment, the nutrients in the potting soil are limited, and prolonged lack of fertilizer can lead to slow growth and shriveled leaves for succulents. Just like people need a balanced diet, succulents also need the right amount of “nutritional supplementation”, but over-fertilizing is like overeating, which can burden the root system and cause problems such as root burning and rotting. Therefore, whether the fertilizer is harmful to succulents all depends on the “amount” and “timing” of application.  In these situations, fertilizer will become a “succulent killer.”  Fertilizing too much: the root system is “burned”  The succulent's root system is fragile and very sensitive to the concentration of fertilizer. If too much fertilizer is applied at one time, or if the fertilizer is too close to the root system, the concentration of nutrients in the soil will be too high, resulting in the loss of water in the root cells, just like the water being precipitated when pickles are pickled, and the leaves will appear to be yellowed, soft, and shed, and in severe cases, the whole plant will rot. The novice is most likely to make this mistake, always thinking “more fertilization to grow faster”; the results are counterproductive.  Dormant fertilization aggravates the metabolic burden  Succulents will enter a dormant state in the summer heat or winter low temperatures, when their growth is almost stagnant, and the demand for nutrients is reduced to a minimum. If fertilizer is applied at this time, the succulent can not be absorbed, the fertilizer will accumulate in the soil, destroying the soil structure, and wait until the growth period instead of affecting the root absorption capacity. Just like people do not need to eat a lot of food while sleeping, force-feeding will only cause gastrointestinal discomfort.  Use the wrong type of fertilizer: nutrient imbalance  succulent needs is low nitrogen, high phosphorus and potassium fertilizer, too much nitrogen fertilizer will lead to plant growth, stalks weak, thin leaves; and used unrotted organic fertilizer (such as fresh fish guts, kitchen waste), in the process of fermentation will produce high temperatures, direct scorching of the root system, but also breeding bacteria and pests.  Fertilizing in this way is “all good and no harm” for succulents.  Choosing the right fertilizer: succulents' “exclusive nutritious meal”  Slow-release fertilizer: suitable for newbies, like The One Bloom's succulent-specific slow-release fertilizers ($10-15), which are granular and buried on the surface of the potting soil, and with watering It releases nutrients slowly with watering and is good for 3-6 months, so you don't have to worry about burning your roots.  Liquid Fertilizer: Use during the growing season, dilute the fertilizer according to the instructions (usually 1:1000), for example, mix 1ml of fertilizer with 1 liter of water and water it once a month to make the leaves fuller.  Phosphorus and potassium fertilizers are the mainstay: applying additional phosphorus and potassium fertilizers (e.g., bone meal, potassium dihydrogen phosphate) before flowering can promote flowering and root strength, and make succulents more resistant to frost and sun.  Timing: Fertilize only during the “growing season.”  Spring and autumn are the peak growing seasons for succulents, when fertilizers are most effective and can be quickly absorbed and utilized. When the temperature exceeds 30℃ in summer and falls below 10℃ in winter, you should stop fertilizing and let the succulents rest in peace. Freshly potted succulent, the first 3 months do not fertilize, such that the root system to adapt to the new environment, and then begin to “add food”.  Fertilizing method: “thin fertilizer” is the key  Burying fertilizer: bury slow-release fertilizer particles along the edge of the pot 2 cm into the soil, away from the root system, to avoid direct contact. Irrigation: Dilute the liquid fertilizer and pour it in slowly along the edge of the pot. Do not pour it on the leaves, especially the heart of the leaves, to prevent the fertilizer residue from causing burns. Frequency: 1 time per month during the growing period, no more than 2 times at most, rather less than more.  Fertilizing Points for Different Types of Succulents  Young Seedling Succulents: “Light Diet” Freshly cuttings or sown seedlings have fragile root systems, which are easily injured by fertilizer. They do not need to be fertilized at all for the first 6 months, and can grow by relying on the basic nutrients in the potting soil.  Old pile succulent: “a small amount of tonic”  Growing for many years of old pile succulents, low demand for nutrients, spring and fall each year, once a slow-release fertilizer can be applied, excessive fertilization will lead to pile rot.  Flowering succulent: “precise supplement energy”  Like Buddha beads, jade dew, and other succulents that will bloom, before the buds appear, once a month to apply diluted phosphorus and potassium fertilizers, can make the flowers fuller, longer flowering period, and after the flowers to supplement the fertilizer once in a timely manner, to make up for the nutrients consumed by the blossoming. “First Aid Measures” for Improper Fertilizing  Overfertilizing: Immediate “Detoxification” If you find that the succulent leaves have suddenly become soft and yellow, and you have recently applied fertilizer, you should immediately take off the pots, rinse the roots and the potting soil with water to wash off the fertilizer adhering to the roots, and then replace it with new Dry potting soil, placed in a ventilated place to dry, do not water for a week.  Fertilizer splashed on leaves: clean it up in time  If you accidentally get fertilizer on the leaves, rinse it off immediately with water and absorb the water with paper towels, put it in a ventilated place, and avoid direct sunlight to prevent the leaves from being burned.  Start the “Healthy Fertilizer” Journey for Succulents  Whether fertilizer is a ‘nutrient’ or “poison” for succulents is under your control. The One Bloom not only has a variety of fertilizers for succulents, but also matching fertilizers for succulents. The One Bloom not only has all kinds of fertilizers for succulents, but also matching fertilizer tools, which make it easy for newbies to get started. From today onwards, say goodbye to the “fear of fertilizer”, according to the principle of “a little, at the right time, at the right place”, your succulents will surely reward you with fuller leaves, brighter colors, and even amazing flowers. This weekend, give your succulents a “safe meal” bar!

As a heavy coffee lover who can't start a new day without a cup of freshly brewed coffee, I always feel a pang of regret every time I throw away the used coffee grounds. At the same time, as a succulent plant enthusiast with a windowsill filled with adorable little succulents, I couldn't help but wonder: Could these two things I love be combined? After several months of experimentation and exchanging experiences with other "plant parents," I finally figured out whether succulent plants would truly thrive with coffee grounds. The Appeal of Coffee Grounds Theoretically, coffee grounds are the perfect plant fertilizer. They are rich in nitrogen, a key nutrient for healthy plant growth, and can also add organic matter to the soil. Additionally, using coffee grounds to nurture plants is an exceptionally eco-friendly practice, transforming your daily coffee ritual into a zero-waste gardening activity. However, before you pour coffee grounds onto your succulents like Echeveria, let's first understand the science behind it. Acidity Test Many people mistakenly believe that coffee grounds make soil extremely acidic. In reality, fresh coffee grounds have a pH of around 6.5, which is mildly acidic. However, as they decompose, their acidity weakens, approaching neutrality. Succulents thrive in well-draining soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0, which is mildly acidic to neutral, so they can theoretically adapt to this pH range. However, if you use too much and cover the succulents with a thick layer of fresh coffee grounds, you are creating an ideal environment for mold and pests to thrive. Drainage Issues Succulents are essentially "desert dwellers" and are most afraid of waterlogged soil. If you use a large amount of coffee grounds, over time, they will compact and form clumps, leading to excessive water retention in the soil. This is the primary cause of the fatal root rot disease in succulents. Imagine staying in a damp, sticky bed—your succulents certainly wouldn't want that either! Safe Use of Coffee Grounds Does this mean coffee grounds should be discarded? Of course not! The following methods can safely utilize coffee grounds as a helpful tool for succulent care: Compost first: Mix used coffee grounds with other kitchen waste (such as eggshells and banana peels) and yard waste. After at least one month of composting, add a small amount of coffee grounds (no more than 10% of the soil volume) to the succulent pot. This allows you to fully utilize the nutrients in the coffee grounds without worrying about mold growth or drainage issues. Local application: Spread a thin layer of dried coffee grounds on the soil surface around the succulent plants. This not only repels slugs and snails (though uncommon indoors, they can be a problem when growing succulents outdoors) but also slowly releases nutrients. Remember, this layer of coffee grounds should not exceed one-quarter of an inch in thickness. Making liquid fertilizer: Soak coffee grounds in water for 24 hours to create "coffee tea." Strain the liquid, then dilute it with an equal amount of clean water for watering succulents. This method gently provides succulents with abundant nutrients without affecting soil conditions Other care options If you're still hesitant to use coffee grounds, there are many other effective ways to care for succulents. Specialized fertilizers designed for cacti and succulents have scientifically balanced nutrient ratios. Organic fertilizers, such as worm castings or fish protein emulsions, are safe and natural alternatives. You can also add perlite or pumice to the soil to improve drainage or report the succulents every 1–2 years to maintain soil fertility. In summary, succulents can benefit from coffee grounds when used in moderation, but care should be taken to use them appropriately. Just as brewing coffee requires care, nurturing succulents demands love and balance. If you're unsure, stick to proven, reliable methods. After all, healthy succulents are worth celebrating with a toast the next time you enjoy a cup of coffee!