Is soil really that good for indoor plants? Or is it over...
Hello! I've come back in a pinch to ask a question I would like some thoughts on..
I've seen these two videos: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=EYwpINNhQKE&pp=ygUaU2hlZmZpZWxkIG1hZGUgcGxhbnRzIHNvaWw%3D and https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=JBg5GdFmTPI and they have been making me wonder, is soil really that overrated?
Honestly, part of me says,'Yes, soil really is overrated.' But then again, I'm not sure if that claim is truly correct since I have only tried plants in soil and not in other materials such as perlite and LECA.
I have some evidence that supports the overrated soil claim, but I need some opinions from you, the true plant masters, the plant whisperers.
Here's my supporting evidence:
First off, I have a Philodendron Red Emerald that has watering issues. Somehow, a weird thing has happened where the top layers are bone dry, and the bottom is a swamp. It is in soil.
Another thing, soil is, obviously, very messy. It's really hard to clean up if I accidentally spill soil instead of LECA.
The last thing, plants need their own little soil mixes depending on what they are. For example, you can't put a succulent in carnivorous mix or a carnivore in succulent mix. It's just going to have problems.
So, again, do you think materials are much better for indoor plants? Or is soil better?
Edit: adding hashtags #happyplants #plantsmakepeoplehappy #plantaddict #planttherapy #plantcorner #plantlove #iloveplants #newgrowth #planttlc #greggang #adhdplantlovers #soilmix #soillesspottingmediums
I've seen these two videos: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=EYwpINNhQKE&pp=ygUaU2hlZmZpZWxkIG1hZGUgcGxhbnRzIHNvaWw%3D and https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=JBg5GdFmTPI and they have been making me wonder, is soil really that overrated?
Honestly, part of me says,'Yes, soil really is overrated.' But then again, I'm not sure if that claim is truly correct since I have only tried plants in soil and not in other materials such as perlite and LECA.
I have some evidence that supports the overrated soil claim, but I need some opinions from you, the true plant masters, the plant whisperers.
Here's my supporting evidence:
First off, I have a Philodendron Red Emerald that has watering issues. Somehow, a weird thing has happened where the top layers are bone dry, and the bottom is a swamp. It is in soil.
Another thing, soil is, obviously, very messy. It's really hard to clean up if I accidentally spill soil instead of LECA.
The last thing, plants need their own little soil mixes depending on what they are. For example, you can't put a succulent in carnivorous mix or a carnivore in succulent mix. It's just going to have problems.
So, again, do you think materials are much better for indoor plants? Or is soil better?
Edit: adding hashtags #happyplants #plantsmakepeoplehappy #plantaddict #planttherapy #plantcorner #plantlove #iloveplants #newgrowth #planttlc #greggang #adhdplantlovers #soilmix #soillesspottingmediums
6
Im going to use an anology to answer this question. I believe that gives both answers depending on what type of person you are. If you put a baby in a bubble and never ever let it out until its 21 yrs old it would be dead in 6 months from viruses. But boy it sure was a perfect looking specimen of a hunan for 21 yrs. Until it had to walk breath unpurified air and eat real food. Or even have any kind of stress! Well thats lecca! Now if you raise a kid playing in dirt learning to run fish and play, breath real air and eat real food. That kids way more prepared to deal with adversity in life! Thats a plant in soil! Now the question is, what type of parent are you !?
@TheConservator Thanks! This is a very interesting response, and it really helped illustrate the differences.
Soil MIX matters. Your philo is staying wet because you need to add to soil. You don't need crazy expensive soil or expensive add ins but a few staples will go a loooong way and you can use for different type plants (idk about carnivorous). I'll share my staple soil post below.
Get what you can, when you can. But if you're investing time and money in plants, a few staples will ensure you're not wasting time or money by killing plants.
Get what you can, when you can. But if you're investing time and money in plants, a few staples will ensure you're not wasting time or money by killing plants.
Soil matters. Different types of plants require different soil needs.
When I was a very #NewPlantMom I didn't realize the importance of soil and ended up with a lot of root rot.
Most plants require good drainage so the roots don't stay wet which leads to root rot. Chunky soil mix helps with aeration so your roots can breathe and helps mimic natural growing environments.
If you have indoor plants or container plants, make sure you're using indoor/potting/container soil.
Some great staples to keep in stock to mix in whatever soil mix you have as a base. Get what you can, when you can, but orchid bark and perlite are inexpensive and should be a staple in your aroid soil mixes.
Perlite:
helps with drainage and aeration
🪱Worm Castings:
increase soil's water retention, improve soil aeration
🌳Orchid Bark:
helps with aeration and drainage. I heavily use for my philos, hoyas, pothos, and monsteras. Don't buy the chunky one, those are too big. Instead, get the ones with fir, charcoal, and coarse perlite mixed in the bag.
Coco Coir:
helps with aeration and drainage. If your base soil doesn't contain this, it's a great addition to your soil mix.
Charcoal:
Protects soil and roots from bacterial and fungal growth
Mycorrhizal Hormone:
Mycorrhizae form a symbiotic relationship with plant roots, enhancing nutrient uptake, water absorption, and overall root health for stronger plants.
🪴🪴🪴
LINKS:
SOIL BASE FOR TROPICAL INDOOR PLANTS:
COCO COIR:
https://a.co/d/e2QFGmR
COCO COIR CHIPS:
https://a.co/d/16RUzpA
ORCHID BARK:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Better-Gro-8-Qt-Dendrobium-Potting-Mix-Twin-Pack-50243/323835242
https://www.lowes.com/pd/BETTER-GRO-Orchid-8-Quart-Organic-Potting-Soil-Mix/3029227
PERLITE:
Coarse Perlite:
https://a.co/d/aHZUGPx
If you can get chunky perlite, that's better.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Vigoro-2-cu-ft-Organic-Perlite-Soil-Amendment-100521091/205655210
ROOTING HORMONE:
https://a.co/d/cjsvYEu
https://a.co/d/4l0sCfR
MYCORRHIZAL Inoculant Root Enhancer:
https://a.co/d/13OSLpN
https://a.co/d/a0jbTjr
https://a.co/d/crUfKsW
🌵CACTUS and SUCCULENT POTTING MIX:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Miracle-Gro-16-Qt-Cactus-Palm-and-Citrus-Potting-Soil-Mix-2-Pack-VB00010/316281339?ITC=AUC-129450-23-12145
Bonsai Jack Succulent and Cactus Soil - Jacks Gritty Mix
https://a.co/d/5ab0SZQ
When I was a very #NewPlantMom I didn't realize the importance of soil and ended up with a lot of root rot.
Most plants require good drainage so the roots don't stay wet which leads to root rot. Chunky soil mix helps with aeration so your roots can breathe and helps mimic natural growing environments.
If you have indoor plants or container plants, make sure you're using indoor/potting/container soil.
Some great staples to keep in stock to mix in whatever soil mix you have as a base. Get what you can, when you can, but orchid bark and perlite are inexpensive and should be a staple in your aroid soil mixes.
Perlite:
helps with drainage and aeration
🪱Worm Castings:
increase soil's water retention, improve soil aeration
🌳Orchid Bark:
helps with aeration and drainage. I heavily use for my philos, hoyas, pothos, and monsteras. Don't buy the chunky one, those are too big. Instead, get the ones with fir, charcoal, and coarse perlite mixed in the bag.
Coco Coir:
helps with aeration and drainage. If your base soil doesn't contain this, it's a great addition to your soil mix.
Charcoal:
Protects soil and roots from bacterial and fungal growth
Mycorrhizal Hormone:
Mycorrhizae form a symbiotic relationship with plant roots, enhancing nutrient uptake, water absorption, and overall root health for stronger plants.
🪴🪴🪴
LINKS:
SOIL BASE FOR TROPICAL INDOOR PLANTS:
COCO COIR:
https://a.co/d/e2QFGmR
COCO COIR CHIPS:
https://a.co/d/16RUzpA
ORCHID BARK:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Better-Gro-8-Qt-Dendrobium-Potting-Mix-Twin-Pack-50243/323835242
https://www.lowes.com/pd/BETTER-GRO-Orchid-8-Quart-Organic-Potting-Soil-Mix/3029227
PERLITE:
Coarse Perlite:
https://a.co/d/aHZUGPx
If you can get chunky perlite, that's better.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Vigoro-2-cu-ft-Organic-Perlite-Soil-Amendment-100521091/205655210
ROOTING HORMONE:
https://a.co/d/cjsvYEu
https://a.co/d/4l0sCfR
MYCORRHIZAL Inoculant Root Enhancer:
https://a.co/d/13OSLpN
https://a.co/d/a0jbTjr
https://a.co/d/crUfKsW
🌵CACTUS and SUCCULENT POTTING MIX:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Miracle-Gro-16-Qt-Cactus-Palm-and-Citrus-Potting-Soil-Mix-2-Pack-VB00010/316281339?ITC=AUC-129450-23-12145
Bonsai Jack Succulent and Cactus Soil - Jacks Gritty Mix
https://a.co/d/5ab0SZQ
Hi there, if I may weigh in with my 2 cents, totally agree that plain potting soil isn’t super ideal for the common tropical plants we often buy. It’s like basic ingredient but got your plants to thrive, you ideally try to mix the soil with other things with the view to replicate the environment the plant naturally grows in eg. a jungle floor has lots of leaves dropping on over tbe top of the soil, along with bark, bugs and the lots. So adding perlite and orchid bars or coco chips etc to your soil is just meant to set up the plant for success but replicating that sort of ideal substrate environment around its roots.
Semi-hydro is a very different way of growing. In my local community, we have a very lush jungley walk through the forest that’s near a river. Being close to the water the area gets very wet and is affected by tides. There are lots of trees as well as alocasias and colocasias growing where they are constantly submerged in water. Then the water recedes and the soil dries out a little and I notice that these plants are super happy in that environment. I like to think of that as nature doing semi-hydro.
When you grow your plants in LECA/ pumice/ pon etc you might be choosing to do it for some specific reason. I grow most of my plants in LECA - I chose to transition to this substrate initially out of pure curiosity and interest in experimentation. I also have ALOT of plants (more than 300 last count) and I was looking for options that could be easier-care compared to soil mixes. It has its drawbacks too but I think for me, the need it’s outweigh those.
So I think ultimately it’s good to interrogate your motivation and what you’d like to learn from your plant journey and this can help guide what you’d end up choosing substrate-wise.
Best of luck! 🌿🌿🌿
Semi-hydro is a very different way of growing. In my local community, we have a very lush jungley walk through the forest that’s near a river. Being close to the water the area gets very wet and is affected by tides. There are lots of trees as well as alocasias and colocasias growing where they are constantly submerged in water. Then the water recedes and the soil dries out a little and I notice that these plants are super happy in that environment. I like to think of that as nature doing semi-hydro.
When you grow your plants in LECA/ pumice/ pon etc you might be choosing to do it for some specific reason. I grow most of my plants in LECA - I chose to transition to this substrate initially out of pure curiosity and interest in experimentation. I also have ALOT of plants (more than 300 last count) and I was looking for options that could be easier-care compared to soil mixes. It has its drawbacks too but I think for me, the need it’s outweigh those.
So I think ultimately it’s good to interrogate your motivation and what you’d like to learn from your plant journey and this can help guide what you’d end up choosing substrate-wise.
Best of luck! 🌿🌿🌿