DIY succulent projects have become a trend. Whether creating small terrariums or succulent arrangements, each piece showcases personalized charm. 

Selecting and arranging plants sparks creativity and cultivates an appreciation for beauty, resulting in beautiful decorative pieces. 

This process is like a harmonious collision between the soul and nature, offering tranquility and relaxation amidst busy lives.

Proper soil provides an optimal growing environment for succulents. Let's explore how to select suitable soil:

Do you know what kind of soil succulents need?

Drainage and aeration

Succulents thrive in rocky crevices or poor soils in their natural habitats. Overly moist conditions can make succulents susceptible to diseases. Therefore, succulent soil must have excellent drainage and aeration to remove excess water quickly. Inorganic materials in the soil, such as mineral substances, provide drainage and aeration.

Nutrient requirements 

While succulents need nutrients for healthy growth, organic matter in the soil provides nutrients and helps retain moisture for succulents.

Next, based on analyzing the pros and cons of different DIY methods, we will provide examples of suitable materials for you:

Succulent DIY Pieces & Soil Recipe Type

1. Table Decor Succulents Arrangement

What The DIY Piece Is？

For table decor, succulent arrangements typically combine different succulents in a large pot.

Since succulents are often densely planted together, each plant species has varying water and care requirements. Therefore, balancing avoiding waterlogging that can cause succulent rot and ensuring nutritional needs is crucial in selecting appropriate soil.

The Basic Soil Recipe Rule

In general, mineral content should make up between 60% to 80% of the soil mix for succulent arrangements. 

For the organic content, we recommend:

Peat Soil

Peat soil is rich in organic content and trace nutrients and provides good nutritional support for live succulents.

Peat soil forms very slowly, and its extraction can have significant environmental impacts. Therefore, its use should consider sustainability and environmental effects.

Coir

Coir is environmentally friendly as it derives from coconut shell fibers.

Due to its unique fiber structure and organic content, coir effectively retains moisture and provides nutrients.

Coir needs more nutrients to meet succulents' long-term nutritional needs. It can be combined with other nutrient-rich organic materials.

For the mineral content, we recommend the following:

Akadama (density: 1.5 g/cm3)

Akadama's larger particles promote air and water circulation in succulent plant soil.

Akadama can absorb and retain a certain amount of moisture.

Akadama typically maintains a good pH balance.

Maifanitum(density: 2.5 g/cm3)

Maifanitum stone typically has a hard texture that is durable and stable during use. This characteristic makes it suitable as a top dressing for succulent plants.

The surface of the Maifanitum stone is porous, allowing water to penetrate quickly and promoting air circulation.

The surface of Maifanitum stone can adsorb and retain moisture, nutrients, and other substances.

Pumice (density: 0.2 g/cm3)

There are many small holes in the pumice structure, and the material itself does not absorb water, which helps to provide good air permeability and drainage for succulents.

Pumice is slightly acidic and suitable for most succulents.

2. Succulent Terrarium

What The Diy Piece Is？

A succulent terrarium is typically planted in a transparent glass container for ornamental purposes. Terrarium containers are usually sealed (without drainage holes) and placed indoors. So, what should we consider when choosing soil for a succulent terrarium?

The Basic Soil Recipe Rule

Firstly, succulent terrariums are usually placed indoors, so we choose succulent plants suitable for indoor care, such as Haworthia. 

Additionally, we should first understand the moisture and soil requirements of the plants being planted and adjust the proportions based on the variables below. 

Generally, drainage is considered the primary factor before adding organic components. Therefore, the mineral content can be as high as 80%.

For the organic content, we also recommend peat or coir, and for the mineral content:

Peat Soil

River Sand (density: 1.5 g/cm3)

River sand grains are relatively complex and used to improve soil structure and permeability.

Gravel (density: 2.2 g/cm3)

Due to its large and non-compactable particles, gravel enhances succulent soil's drainage and aeration capabilities.

Gravel comes in various colors and can beautify plant containers or landscape designs.

Vermiculite(density: 2.5 g/cm3)

Vermiculite particles have a spongy structure that promotes airflow and water drainage in soil, which is beneficial for plant roots.

It can absorb and hold a significant amount of water, aiding in maintaining soil moisture levels.

Vermiculite helps buffer soil against temperature fluctuations, providing a stable environment for plant growth.

3. Iron Hanging Moss-filled Succulent DIY

What The DIY Piece Is？

Iron wire hanging moss-filled succulent DIY typically involves creating hollow shapes from iron wire and using Moss as a filling material to support plant roots and retain soil moisture. Succulents are then inserted into the Moss.

This type of succulent DIY has high ornamental value and can be a decoration at weddings or other important occasions. Since the succulents are inserted into Moss, they are suitable only for short-term ornamental purposes.

How to get Moss

Buying Moss: Moss that has been cleaned and prepared can be purchased from flower markets, gardening stores, or online gardening suppliers.

Growing Moss Yourself: If conditions permit, Moss can also be grown at home. Before use, it should be cleaned, disinfected, and allowed to dry.

Besides Moss, what other materials can be used?

Apart from Moss, several other materials can be used for filling:

Rockwool: Rockwool is another option for filling containers made from iron wire for hanging succulent plants. It is easy to handle and clean.

Specialized Soil: A mixture of soil and water in specific proportions can also be used as filling material. This type of soil is more durable and long-lasting.

4. Iron Wire Succulent Planter DIY

What The DIY Piece Is？

Iron wire succulent planters are typically made from iron frames or racks with hollow sections, often requiring support at the bottom with materials like coconut husk, sphagnum moss, or plastic bags. These planters are more creative and durable than regular pots, enhancing indoor gardens and outdoor spaces. So, how should we prepare the soil for succulents in such DIY projects?

The Basic Soil Recipe Rule

Different succulent plants have varying water and soil requirements. Therefore, it's essential to consider the water needs of the planted succulents first and then determine the organic and inorganic ratio in the soil.

For the organic content, we recommend:

Humus Soil

Humus soil results from plant twigs and leaves decomposing and fermenting in soil. It has rich organic matter that enhances soil water retention and fertility, promoting plant growth.

Humus soil is porous and less prone to crust formation than other organic soils.

Rice Husks

Rice husks primarily comprise outer husks or skins left over from rice processing, providing:

Rice husks contain sugars, cellulose, and trace minerals like potassium and calcium, helping soil moisture and providing essential nutrients.

Rice husks often include silica, improving soil structure and aeration.

Wood Ash

Wood ash results from plant combustion and features:

Wood ash is rich in nutrients, especially potassium and phosphorus, and is a natural phosphorus-potassium fertilizer for plant nutrition.

Fine particles in wood ash aid in soil permeability and drainage.

For the mineral content, we recommend the following:

Perlite (density: 0.6 g/cm3)

Perlite has a porous structure that facilitates airflow and water circulation.

Perlite is typically neutral, which does not affect the pH balance of the growing environment for succulent plants.

Lava Rock(density: 2.5 g/cm3)

It is rich in trace elements such as sodium, magnesium, and aluminum.

Due to its dense pore structure, Lava Rock exhibits excellent air permeability and drainage.

The tiny pores on the surface of Lava Rock can effectively absorb moisture and nutrients.

Diatomaceous earth (density: 0.4 g/cm3)

Diatomaceous earth contains various beneficial trace elements that help the growth and health of succulent plants.

Its microporous structure provides excellent aeration, facilitating root health and water movement within the soil.

Diatomaceous earth particles have microscopic pores and irregularities on their surface, allowing them to absorb and retain water and nutrients.

The fine particles have sharp microstructures that deter and inhibit various insects, other soft-bodied organisms, and nematodes.

Green Zeolite (density: 2.2 g/cm3)

Green zeolite is rich in mineral elements that provide nutrition for succulent plants. Green zeolite can improve soil structure, enhancing soil aeration and drainage. It has excellent adsorption properties, retaining water and effectively absorbing odors from planters.

Other Matters to Effect the Soil Recipe

Humidity

The local air humidity in your region plays a role here; higher humidity means slower water evaporation. Therefore, adjust the mineral proportions accordingly.

Position

Outdoor placements provide better ventilation, leading to faster water evaporation from the soil. Indoor placements result in slower evaporation, potentially leading to water accumulation, so adjusting the mineral proportions and reducing watering frequency is necessary.

Whether the pot is breathable

If the chosen planter is poorly ventilated, you must reduce organic matter, increase the proportion of minerals, or place the planter in a well-ventilated location. In addition, controlling the amount of water and the frequency of watering will also help.

Short-term decorating or long-term decorating?

This is crucial as it directly affects the succulent soil mix's organic content and nutritional balance!

● For short-term decoration (e.g., 3-4 months or less), you can minimize consideration of succulents' nutritional needs during soil preparation.

● For long-term decoration (e.g., six months or longer), you must balance by adding a certain proportion of organic materials to the succulent soil mix.

Additionally, plan to report the succulents every 2-3 years to ensure soil nutrients and proper drainage.

For hanging succulent DIY

For hanging succulents DIY, you need to consider the support capacity of the pot and try to pick a pot with less density.

Having reviewed the information above, do you understand how to choose soil and mix soil ratios for DIY succulent gardening? It's a fascinating and challenging activity in horticulture. Please share your thoughts or techniques below to help us create more enriching DIY succulent projects together!