Potting soil and the container it sits in are literally the foundation for your houseplant. Without them, your plant can’t access nutrients, doesn’t have a base of support, and won’t be able to thrive.
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It’s easy to just nab whatever pot and soil your local store has available, but if you really want to foster big, beautiful plants, you should put a little extra consideration into your choices.
You can make selections that benefit both your plant and the environment – not to mention your wallet.
If you’re ready to start with some of the most important basics of plant care, here’s what we’ll go over in this guide:
Don’t be overwhelmed by all the various options out there. Once you have a handle on the basics, the decision isn’t so difficult. Here we go!
What Makes the Perfect Medium?The perfect medium combines the right amount of water retention with drainage, provides support, and feeds your plant.
Which one should you choose? Every plant is different. A cactus that evolved to survive in arid, sandy soil isn’t going to thrive if you place it in a medium meant for a fern that evolved in humus-rich, moist soil.
For that reason, there is no one “perfect” planting medium.
That said, there are a few elements that most houseplants do well with. Almost every houseplant prefers soil that is loose and airy.
This kind of substrate allows oxygen to reach the roots readily. But most plants also need a medium that retains water well enough that the roots can access the water when they need it.
A good medium also provides some nutrition, which you replenish each time you
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