How to make your own cactus potting soil

Hey there Sunshine!

This month we’re looking at how to make your own repotting mix so get ready to become a master mixologist of cactus potting goodness! We're about to turn some ordinary ingredients into a soil symphony. 

You will need:

Multipurpose compost (MPC), grit or small gravel, sand, and Perlite (make sure you give the grit/gravel and sand a good wash first to get rid of any chemicals or bacteria). These can all be found in your local garden centre.

Step 1 - Take 3 parts of MPC to be the nutrient-packed foundation for your cacti dreams. It's like giving your plants a delicious buffet!

Step 2 - Next, add 1 part grit/small gravel. This will ensure water doesn't stick around for too long which will strengthen the root systems. 

Step 3 - Add 1 part sand, creating a natural habitat for your prickly pals and teleporting them to their favourite desert vacation spot. 

Step 4 - Add in 1 part Perlite (which looks and feels like little bits of polystyrene but is actually made from expanded volcanic glass, heated until it ‘pops’ (like popcorn) to many times its original size). It is extremely porous, so it can absorb lots of water. Its main job is to improve drainage and add oxygen to the soil, giving your cacti a breath of fresh air!

Step 5 - Time for an epic mix-up, grab your trusty trowel or gardening fork and give everything a good stir, letting it all mingle like old friends at a reunion!

Voila! You've just created the perfect cactus potting mix! Adjust the ratios slightly if you're potting different plants, e.g. house plants craving a more tropical vibe will need less sand and grit to retain more moisture and add in more sand to plants that like a drier environment.

Now, go forth and pot your cacti with pride, you can follow our handy guide to repotting. Your plants will thrive, and you'll be the hero of cactus gardeners everywhere!

Ps. We also sell repotting mix on Barry The Cactus