Cactus and succulent mix: worth buying or worth making?
21 of 100 species in this database need it
21 of our 100 species need it. Squeeze a handful of damp mix. Typically $7 to $20.
Squeeze a handful of damp mix. If it holds its shape like a snowball, it is too dense for a succulent. If it crumbles apart, it will do.
Depends on the plant. Buy it if you own two or three succulents. Make it if you own more — bagged cactus mix is usually still too rich, and most people end up cutting it with pumice anyway.
What it actually is
A gritty, fast-draining medium with far less organic matter than standard compost. The point is that it dries out completely within days rather than staying damp for a week.
What to avoid
The commonest mistake is buying bagged cactus mix and using it neat. Most brands are peat with a little sand, which is closer to potting soil than to desert ground. Cut it one-to-one with pumice or coarse grit.
Species in this database that need it
Cactus mix appears in the recorded recipe for these species.
| Plant | Why it qualifies | Water | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snake plantDracaena trifasciata | Cactus mix, or two parts potting soil to one part perlite | 14–21d | Easy |
| ZZ plantZamioculcas zamiifolia | Cactus mix, or two parts potting soil to one part perlite | 14–21d | Easy |
| Jade plantCrassula ovata | Two parts cactus mix, one part coarse sand or pumice | 14–28d | Easy |
| Aloe veraAloe vera | Two parts cactus mix, one part pumice or coarse sand | 14–28d | Easy |
| Zebra haworthiaHaworthiopsis attenuata | One part cactus mix, one part pumice | 14–24d | Easy |
| Ponytail palmBeaucarnea recurvata | Two parts cactus mix, one part perlite | 14–30d | Easy |
| African milk treeEuphorbia trigona | Two parts cactus mix, one part perlite | 14–28d | Easy |
| Flaming KatyKalanchoe blossfeldiana | Two parts cactus mix, one part perlite | 9–16d | Easy |
| Burro’s tailSedum morganianum | Two parts cactus mix, one part pumice | 14–28d | Easy |
| Mexican snowballEcheveria elegans | One part cactus mix, one part pumice or coarse sand | 12–24d | Moderate |
| String of pearlsCurio rowleyanus | Two parts cactus mix, one part pumice | 12–21d | Demanding |
| String of heartsCeropegia woodii | Two parts cactus mix, one part perlite | 10–18d | Easy |
| Golden barrel cactusEchinocactus grusonii | One part cactus mix, one part pumice or coarse grit | 18–35d | Easy |
| Ladyfinger cactusMammillaria elongata | One part cactus mix, one part pumice | 14–30d | Easy |
| Elephant bushPortulacaria afra | Two parts cactus mix, one part perlite | 10–21d | Easy |
| Crown of thornsEuphorbia milii | Two parts cactus mix, one part perlite | 10–21d | Easy |
| Bunny ears cactusOpuntia microdasys | One part cactus mix, one part pumice or coarse grit | 18–35d | Easy |
| Ox tongueGasteria bicolor | One part cactus mix, one part pumice | 14–24d | Easy |
| Tree aeoniumAeonium arboreum | Two parts cactus mix, one part perlite | 9–18d | Moderate |
| Jelly bean plantSedum rubrotinctum | Two parts cactus mix, one part pumice | 12–24d | Easy |
| String of bananasCurio radicans | Two parts cactus mix, one part perlite | 12–21d | Easy |
This table is filtered from our own species records — recorded soil recipe, humidity floor, light floor, watering interval or growth habit, depending on the product. It is not a list of things a retailer would like to sell you.
Other supplies
- Perlite worth it
- Orchid bark depends
- Pumice depends
- Moss pole depends
- Humidifier depends
- Grow light depends
Sources
- This database's own care records for 100 species — the recorded soil recipes, humidity floors, light floors and watering intervals this table filters on. Each species entry cites its own authorities.
- Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder — cultivation and pest records, cited per species
- North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox — pest and disease guidance
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control — relevant where a product is used on a plant pets reach
Compiled and edited by Tony Valcarcel · 2026-09-12
Prices are hand-checked ranges stamped manual, not live figures, and they move with
pack size. We do not accept payment for placement and hold no merchant
relationships; there are no commission links on this page. How this is sourced.