Potting & Soil

In our nursery, we rely on high mineral mixes — and they’re suitable for nearly everything we grow. The key components include quartz pebbles, scoria, pumice, bluestone chips, and perlite. These materials provide excellent drainage and aeration, which is critical for healthy root systems.

The “soil” component should be a premium-grade potting mix — not the overpriced “cactus and succulent” bags, which rarely offer any real advantage. A good-quality general potting mix combined with your chosen mineral components will do the job perfectly.

We typically start with a 70/30 ratio — that’s 70% gravel or mineral media to 30% potting mix — and adjust from there. Some plants are even grown in 100% mineral substrates when conditions or species demand it.

Gravel size matters — especially for certain species. As a general rule, aim for materials in the 3–7mm range, which suits most plants well.

High mineral mixes drastically reduce the risk of rot, especially in wet or humid conditions. But they’re not without challenges — in very dry climates, you’ll often need to water more frequently than you would with higher-organic mixes. It’s a balance that becomes second nature once you get to know your plants and your environment.

Some cactus types, like Trichocereus and Echinopsis, are heavier feeders and benefit from a bit more organic content in their mix. Even then, the mix must drain freely. These two types are also great candidates for growing directly in the ground, where they can thrive under the right conditions.

Pot Selection

In the nursery and our personal collection, we almost exclusively use black plastic pots. They're lightweight, durable, and help maintain consistent moisture levels — especially important when working with high mineral mixes.

You should choose the smallest pot your plant fits into comfortably. This helps avoid excess mix that stays wet for too long and reduces the risk of rot. The main exceptions are columnar cacti and Echinopsis, which tend to appreciate a bit more room to develop strong root systems.

We don’t recommend raw terracotta. While it’s a popular choice, the porous nature of unglazed terracotta makes it difficult to control moisture, often leading to inconsistent results.

Glazed or finished decorative pots are a better choice if you’re after a specific look — they offer a balance of visual appeal and better moisture retention, without absorbing water when it’s not needed.

Whatever pot you choose, drainage is a must. Make sure there’s at least one good-sized hole in the base to allow excess water to escape freely.

🌵 Looking for more tips? Visit our Grow with Spine City hub for honest, experience-based care guides.