What did one indoor plant say to another? “I’m rooting for you”. Funny isn’t it? But instead of plants, we should be the ones rooting for indoor plants and good roots need the best potting soil for indoor plants. The plants relieve stress, boost creativity, productivity, and focus, and promote recovery. In our hustling lifestyle where we hardly have time to breathe, I guess we need homes made up of plants, not bricks. Till the time it’s not possible, let us stuff our homes and offices with indoor plants.
With indoor plants comes the responsibility to treat them right as their needs are different from outdoor plants. Start by choosing the best soil for indoor plants. Good potting soil is like a guardian to your plant who will nourish, look after, and take care of your plant when you’re out for long hours.
DIY Best Potting Soil For Indoor Plants
Can you survive just on the vitamin tab? No, similarly plants also need air, water, light, and good soil. You can’t feed your plant directly with fertilizer or with your normal garden soil. You want your soil to be a little airy, with a granular texture that neither holds too much nor too less water. With different plants comes a different soil but the basic ingredients are the same. Below are the must-have ingredients for your indoor plants.
Compost
Compost plays an important part in potting soil as it provides nutrition. It can be easily homemade or you can purchase it from the market.
Homemade Compost: Take a nice bin. Keep it in sunlight. Add browns (which includes dead leaves, branches, and twigs), and greens (which includes dead leaves, branches, and twigs.) in the ratio of 4:1. Finally add an adequate amount of water. In a few days, your compost will be ready.
Sphagnum Peat Moss
It is the primary ingredient for the best soil for indoor plants. It is well-drained, well-aerated, and also holds water fairly. It’s inexpensive and easily available.
Coir Fiber
It’s a side product of coconut and is mostly used to make ropes and jute bags. It’s just like sphagnum peat moss but is on the expensive side as it has more nutrients and a neutral
Perlite
It’s easy to find a rock that expands when heated and can store four times its weight in water. It also improves drainage and pore space.
Vermiculite
It’s a mined mineral used to increase porosity, for adding calcium and mineral for indoor plants.
Sand
Sand is used for water regulation. Plants like cacti and succulents have a high percentage of soil in their DIY potting soil.
Lime
They are used to neutralize the pH of the soil. Add 1/4th cup for every 6 gallons of peat moss.
Different Plant Different Needs!
Succulent and Cactus
Succulent and cacti are very well adapted to indoor growing as they are very low maintenance. They have the ability to retain water and can survive in a very dry and warm climate. Because they do not require a consistent need for water, their potting soil should be well-aerated and well-draining. They do not need much organic matter but plenty of sand and perlite
You can start by adding two parts of sand, two parts of soil, and one part of perlite.
IMPORTANT TIP: Avoid fine sands for your plant and always go for medium coarse grit for better drainage.
Orchids
Orchids are pretty flowering indoor plants that improve air quality and help in stress relief. They are easy to maintain by just watering them once a week, positioning them towards the bright side. They are moisture friendly so we need water restoring soil for them. Add material like perlite and peat moss in good quantity for the best soil for indoor plants
IMPORTANT TIP: Avoid adding too much sand to your soil.
Bonsai Plant
Bonsai are miniature trees. The best part about them is that they purify the air. Bonsai needs soil for the indoor plants which has good water retention, good drainage, and good aeration.
Deciduous Bonsai Plant
- 50% Akadama (hard baked Japanese clay specifically produces for Bonsai purposes.)
- 25% Perlite
- 25% Rock
Coniferous and Pine bonsai Plant
- 33% Akadama
- 33% Perlite
- 33% Rock
IMPORTANT TIP: Never leave your Bonsai plant completely dry.
Citrus Plant
Tangerine, kumquat, and lemon are commonly grown houseplant which needs loamy soil with a fair amount of organic matter in it. Add 1/3rd peat moss, 1/3rd perlite, and 1/3rd compost and you’re good to go.
IMPORTANT TIP: Position your plants beside a south-facing window with good airflow.
Conclusion
Taking care of your plant is not very difficult or expensive. Every plant has its own needs and you have to cater to them carefully. You cannot simply add soil and expect them to grow and remain healthy. You have to consciously look after them and take care of them. The basic ingredient in the potting soil is compost. Then all you have to do is play with hydration, aeration, and the texture of the soil. You do not need any special guidance or fancy soil for a healthy plant. Stop making excuses and go for it
