Soil is an important part of any garden, and it’s no different for succulents. In fact, the type of soil you use can make or break your succulent garden. Soil for succulents can be tricky to find, especially if you don’t live near a nursery that specializes in them.

Many people wonder if they can use orchid soil for their succulents. Whether you need to recycle some old potting mix or you’re just starting your succulent collection, you might be wondering if orchid soil is a good option. Let’s find out…

Can You Use Orchid Soil for Succulents? 

No, you cannot use orchid soil for succulents. Orchid soil is made up of bark and other organic matter that exposes the roots to air. This is fine for orchids, which need air to their roots to thrive, but succulents don’t like their roots to be exposed to air.

Succulents like soil that drains quickly and doesn’t hold onto water. This means it contains more inorganic matter, like sand, perlite, and pumice. If you’re looking for a potting mix for succulents, try cactus mix. It has a higher percentage of inorganic matter than orchid potting mixes and it drains quickly.

If you use orchid soil for your succulents, be sure to mix it with other ingredients and drainage material like perlite or pumice. This will help to ensure that your succulents get the drainage they need.

While orchid soil isn’t ideal for succulents that grow in deserts, it can be used for succulents that come from tropical climates, like the Campfire Crassula. These succulents come from areas with high humidity, so they can do better in an orchid soil mix.

There are two other reasons why orchid soil isn’t the best for succulents:

1) Bark breakdown

Orchid mix is made up of bark that will eventually break down and turn into compost. This is great for orchids, which can be repotted easily, but do you really want to repot your succulents every year?

2) Stability

As we just mentioned, orchid soil is made up of bark and other organic matter. This means there are huge air gaps between the particles. This can make it difficult for succulent roots to establish themselves and get the stability they need.

Don’t be surprised to your succulents start to tip over if you use orchid soil. You can readjust them, but this isn’t ideal for long-term growth or for a succulent that’s already struggling.

In general, it’s best to use a soil mix that is designed for the type of plant you are growing. This will help your plants to thrive and prevent problems down the road.

With that said, if you find yourself in a bind and need to use orchid soil for your succulents, just be sure to mix it with other ingredients and drainage material. Your succulents will thank you for it!

What Should I use for Succulents?

As we mentioned, succulents need well-draining soil. This means that you should use a soil mix that is designed for succulents or cactus. Cactus mix is widely available and is a great option for succulents. If you can’t find a cactus mix, you can also use a potting mix with added perlite or pumice.

When it comes to succulents, the most important thing is to make sure that their roots don’t rot. This means that you need to use a well-draining soil mix. If you’re not sure whether your soil is well-draining, just stick your finger in it.

No matter what type of soil you use, succulents will always appreciate a bit of extra drainage. This can be provided by adding perlite, pumice, or gravel to your potting mix. Just make sure that whatever you use is clean and free of chemicals.

What Is the Difference between Orchid Soil and Succulent Soil?

Orchid soil is typically made of bark, charcoal, and sphagnum moss. This type of soil allows air to reach the roots and also holds onto moisture. This is great for orchids, but not so great for succulents.

Succulent soil, on the other hand, is made of ingredients like perlite, pumice, and gravel. This type of soil drains well and doesn’t hold onto moisture, but doesn’t allow air to reach the roots as well.

Conclusion

In conclusion, you can use orchid soil for succulents, but it’s not ideal. Orchid soil retains moisture well, which can lead to problems for succulents. It’s best to use a soil mix that is specifically designed for succulents.

If you find yourself in a bind and need to use orchid soil, just be sure to mix it with other ingredients and drainage material. Your succulents will thank you for it!

Do you have any questions about using orchid soil for succulents? Let us know in the comments below. Happy planting!

Gardener Tim

Tim is an avid gardener from the UK. He was the founder of PlantCarer.com from 2021 to Sep 2023. He sold PlantCarer.com to Aaron. He has since started his own business called Seed To Supper, which provides new gardeners all the materials you need in a box (pots, seeds, compost and instructions) to grow your own delicious and nutritious vegetables and herbs from start to finish – no garden required.