Guys, what’s the best soil for Pilea Peperomioides?
Got one for my mom, and the store - online - usually sells them and recommends repotting. I know they like well-draining, but are not aroids.
I’m thinking peat moss, orchid bark, and perlite?
#HappyPlants #PlantsMakePeopleHappy #PlantAddict #SucculentLove #PlantTherapy #PlantMai #GregGang
I’m thinking peat moss, orchid bark, and perlite?
#HappyPlants #PlantsMakePeopleHappy #PlantAddict #SucculentLove #PlantTherapy #PlantMai #GregGang
6
Best Answer
You want something to retain water, something for drainage, and something for nutrition (besides fertilizer, unless you intend to fertilize often). You want the soil to dry out between waterings, but you don't want the soil to retain so much water that it takes a really long time for the soil to dry out. This will depend upon your environment.
Peat moss retains a lot of water and will help the soil be slightly acidic. Bark retains a little water, aids in drainage, and offers a trivial amount of nutrition. Perlite would mostly help it drain without retaining much water, so you don't need perlite with the bark unless the soil takes too long to dry out even with a lot of bark.
Regular potting soil is just moss, compost, and bark. It drains decently and has more nutrition; you do want a rich soil for this plant. You could start with a general potting soil mix and add more bark or perlite to increase drainage and reduce water retention as needed for your environment/climate. Before adding more bark or perlite, using a terracotta pot also helps the soil dry out faster. If potting mix in a plastic pot dries out too quickly, you could add more peat.
You don't want the soil to stay too wet for too long as that would suffocate the roots or invite rot. And, you will only figure out how long before the soil dries out by testing it yourself in your home and in your climate.
Edit: I would err on the side of a mix that dries out too quickly since you can always just water more often before trying a new soil mix. So, I would start with general potting mix in a terracotta pot. If you live in a more humid part of Brazil, then I would add more bark, some perlite, or coarse sand (1-4mm, like aquarium pebbles) to start so that the soil would retain less water.
Peat moss retains a lot of water and will help the soil be slightly acidic. Bark retains a little water, aids in drainage, and offers a trivial amount of nutrition. Perlite would mostly help it drain without retaining much water, so you don't need perlite with the bark unless the soil takes too long to dry out even with a lot of bark.
Regular potting soil is just moss, compost, and bark. It drains decently and has more nutrition; you do want a rich soil for this plant. You could start with a general potting soil mix and add more bark or perlite to increase drainage and reduce water retention as needed for your environment/climate. Before adding more bark or perlite, using a terracotta pot also helps the soil dry out faster. If potting mix in a plastic pot dries out too quickly, you could add more peat.
You don't want the soil to stay too wet for too long as that would suffocate the roots or invite rot. And, you will only figure out how long before the soil dries out by testing it yourself in your home and in your climate.
Edit: I would err on the side of a mix that dries out too quickly since you can always just water more often before trying a new soil mix. So, I would start with general potting mix in a terracotta pot. If you live in a more humid part of Brazil, then I would add more bark, some perlite, or coarse sand (1-4mm, like aquarium pebbles) to start so that the soil would retain less water.
@Gustavo while I’m not familar with Pilea p sp. I learned this: “it’s a good idea to use a soil mixture that has some gritty material mixed in. Pure houseplant potting soil often just retains a bit too much water, so add at least 20 percent perlite and maybe some fine orchid bark. This creates air pockets that prevent choking the roots and helps water flow away freely.”
https://gardenbetty.com/pilea-peperomioides-chinese-money-plant/
https://gardenbetty.com/pilea-peperomioides-chinese-money-plant/
@Arid_oasis @Austin1990 thank you both immensely for your time and input! I read online she takes cacti and succulent soil mix well, especially when mixed with the other ingredients I mentioned.
I tend to add perlite in most of my soil mixes, but if most think it’s not necessary, I would be comfortable not doing it.
Finally, the pot: I plan on repotting her into a plastic pot to go with the gift. It has very good drainage.
Again, thank you, and please tell me if you have anything else you think is useful!
I tend to add perlite in most of my soil mixes, but if most think it’s not necessary, I would be comfortable not doing it.
Finally, the pot: I plan on repotting her into a plastic pot to go with the gift. It has very good drainage.
Again, thank you, and please tell me if you have anything else you think is useful!
@Gustavo
It's my pleasure. Here are some tests that I was referencing:
https://youtu.be/Mt_a7g6C2Ls?si=VWcWRfYdgmTfHaI7
https://youtu.be/btn2qy4j8MI?si=vTP4STdfYJ2a54H6
Soil isn't rocket science; it isn't even an exact science. It is just balancing drainage, water retention, nutrition, and structure. I didn't mention structure before, but it is just how well it can physically support a plant, not an issue here. A lot of people get very superstitious about it, even importing clay beads from Japan.
It's my pleasure. Here are some tests that I was referencing:
https://youtu.be/Mt_a7g6C2Ls?si=VWcWRfYdgmTfHaI7
https://youtu.be/btn2qy4j8MI?si=vTP4STdfYJ2a54H6
Soil isn't rocket science; it isn't even an exact science. It is just balancing drainage, water retention, nutrition, and structure. I didn't mention structure before, but it is just how well it can physically support a plant, not an issue here. A lot of people get very superstitious about it, even importing clay beads from Japan.
That is such a hardy plant that I don’t think any soil mix would be bad. Mine grows like mad and I know I didn’t put her in any special mix since she was one of my first houseplants, before I got fussy about my soil.