Special Soils for Special Plants
The seasons have officially changed. With that, it’s time to start thinking about some new homes for all those house plants that have made their home outside for the summer. As you bring each plant in it’s a good time to clean up your plant babies, check their roots and repot if necessary.
Depending on which plants you have will depend on what soils you will use.
For most houseplants, we recommend using one of the following 3 potting mixes.
- Van Wilgen’s professional potting mix
- Van Wilgen’s premium container mix
- Cactus and Succulent soil mix
Most of your plants will do just fine with the professional potting mix, this is lightweight soil that does not retain extra moisture in your potting mix which can cause issues with some plants.
For plants that love their water, I recommend using the premium container mix.
This potting mix has a wetting agent which allows the mix to retain water which helps keep those water-loving plants very happy. Peace lilies, anthuriums, crotons, and all ferns would love this mix.
Cactus and succulents would do better if you used a cactus and succulent potting mix. This mix allows the plants to drain well while letting each plant get what it needs in the way of water. If you do not have any of this mix available go ahead and use the professional potting mix but add 1 to 2 parts sand to your mixture.
Along with cactus and succulents, I would add ZZ plants and snake plants to the list for this potting mix.
I also have a preference for what to use for repotting orchids.
We do carry both sphagnum moss and bark for orchids. Everybody has their favorite but, I prefer the bark. The bark holds just the right amount of moisture that your orchid needs. Sometimes the moss will either hold too much or too little water. And please remember to water your orchids in the sink DO NOT USE ICE CUBES! We don’t get our water from ice cubes alone and neither should our plants.
Any questions or concerns about any of your plants can be answered by any of us here at Vanwilgens garden center. Email or call us any time. We are always here to help.
