Greetings, caretaker. We are Echeverias, a diverse and sun-loving family of succulents. To thrive in the confined world of a pot, we require a very specific home for our roots—a soil mix that understands our fundamental nature. We do not originate from rich, water-retentive garden soil; we hail from arid, rocky outcrops where water is fleeting and oxygen is abundant. Therefore, our perfect soil mix is not "soil" in the traditional sense, but a sharply draining, porous, and mineral-based growing medium.
Our greatest enemy is not drought, but suffocation and rot caused by excess moisture. Our roots and stem are designed to store water. If they are constantly surrounded by wet, dense material, they cannot breathe and will succumb to decay. The primary purpose of our soil mix is to allow water to flow through it instantly, leaving only a tiny amount of moisture on the particles themselves. This creates a cycle of a quick, deep drink followed by a period of dryness, which is precisely what our roots are evolved to expect. A mix that holds water for days is a death sentence for us.
Think of our native habitat: rocks, gravel, and coarse sand. Our ideal potting mix mimics this. A standard bag of potting soil is far too organic and peat-heavy. You must create a custom blend. We recommend a simple, effective ratio: 50% to 60% inorganic grit mixed with 40% to 50% potting soil or other organic component. The inorganic grit is the most critical element. Excellent choices include coarse perlite (lightweight and excellent for aeration), pumice (slightly heavier and more stable), poultry grit or crushed granite (provides weight and stability), and coarse horticultural sand (not fine beach sand, which compacts).
A small amount of organic matter is necessary to provide minimal nutrients and a tiny degree of moisture retention, just enough to hold the particles together and give our fine roots something to anchor to. However, this must be chosen carefully. A standard cactus & succulent potting mix can serve as this base, but it often still contains too much peat. For a superior mix, use a coconut coir-based potting mix or add a small amount of compost. The key is that the inorganic grit should always be the dominant component by volume, ensuring the organic matter does not clump and create soggy pockets.
Thoroughly combine your chosen components until they are uniform. A good test is to clump a handful of the damp mix in your fist; it should barely hold its shape and then crumble apart easily when you poke it. This indicates perfect drainage. When you pot us, ensure the container has a generous drainage hole. After repotting, wait several days before the first watering to allow any minor root damage to callous over, preventing rot. Observe us. If we are plump and healthy, you have the mix right. If our lower leaves are consistently turning yellow and mushy, the mix is too wet and needs more grit.
