From our perspective, the single most critical aspect of our soil home is its ability to manage water. Our roots are fine and relatively shallow, and they absolutely despise sitting in saturated, oxygen-deprived soil. This condition, called "wet feet," quickly leads to root rot, a fatal condition for us. Therefore, the ideal mix must drain excess water swiftly while simultaneously holding onto enough moisture to keep us hydrated between waterings. A mix that is too heavy, like pure garden soil or cheap, dense potting mixes, will compact around our roots and suffocate us. We need a light and airy environment to thrive.
The perfect soil blend for us feels like a soft, fluffy, and nutrient-rich bed. We suggest a mixture based on a high-quality, sterile potting mix as the starting point. This base provides structure and some nutrients. To this, please incorporate generous portions of peat moss, coco coir, and perlite. Peat moss and coco coir are excellent for moisture retention—they absorb water like a sponge and release it slowly to our roots. Meanwhile, perlite (those little white, lightweight pellets) is essential for creating air pockets within the soil. This ensures vital oxygen reaches our root system and prevents compaction. A simple and effective recipe we love is two parts potting mix, one part peat moss or coco coir, and one part perlite.
We are not heavy feeders like some flowering plants, but we do appreciate a consistent and gentle supply of nutrients to support our rapid growth and prolific blooming. The initial potting mix will provide some sustenance, but it gets depleted over time. We respond best to a soil mix that has a balanced pH, slightly on the acidic side (around 6.0 to 6.5). Incorporating a slow-release granular fertilizer into the soil mix at planting time is a fantastic way to ensure we receive a steady trickle of nutrients for several months. This prevents the boom-and-bust cycles that can occur with only liquid feeding and supports sustained health and flowering.
Just as there are things we love, there are components we find deeply distressing. Please avoid using heavy garden soil or topsoil in our containers. It introduces pests, diseases, and weeds, and its texture is completely wrong for our container life, leading to certain compaction. Also, be wary of soils that are overly rich or designed for specific plants like cacti or roses. Cactus mix drains too quickly and we will wilt constantly, while a rose mix might be too heavy and rich. Furthermore, we do not appreciate fresh manure or excessive amounts of strong, fast-acting fertilizers; these can burn our delicate roots, causing severe damage and inhibiting our growth and bloom production.
