Thursday’s Wednesday Works: Crafting Your Own Potting Mix at Home

Because sometimes dirt just hits different.

Author

John Harrison
August 07, 2025

Hey plant fam!

Okay, confession time: this week’s Wednesday Works is actually showing up on a Thursday. Why? Well, sometimes life throws a curveball—or in our case, a spilled bag of worm castings and a last-minute scheduling shuffle. But hey, plants don’t run on clocks, and neither do we.

Bonus news: We’re switching up our content rhythm! Starting now, you’ll get three weekly drops of leafy love:

  • Monday: What’s to come (think themes, plant moods, and what to watch for in your garden)

  • Wednesday: Tips and DIYs to keep those hands (and roots) dirty in the best way

  • Friday: Our iconic Feature Friday spotlight—celebrating the plant legends of your collection

We’d love to hear what you think about the new format—drop us a DM, email, or tag. This whole thing only grows stronger with your input

But now, let’s get our hands in some real talk: potting mix magic.

Why Make Your Own Potting Mix?

Because your roots deserve more than whatever's in the bargain-bin bag.

Sure, store-bought soil can work in a pinch—but making your own blend? That’s where the glow-up really happens. It’s not just dirt—it’s a custom-crafted foundation for growth. Tailored. Fresh. Infused with intention. And let’s be honest? Mixing up your own potting blend is surprisingly therapeutic—like baking for your plants, only without the oven mitts.

Because here’s the truth: just like your plants, not all soil is created equal. Different roots have different needs. What makes a succulent thrive might suffocate a fern. What pampers a monstera might starve a cactus. And that “all-purpose” mix on the shelf? It’s usually more “meh” than magic.

Crafting your own mix means stepping into the role of plant parent and soil scientist. You’re not just growing plants—you’re creating the perfect home for them to root, stretch, and thrive.

To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow.

— Audrey Hepburn

What Goes Into a Great Mix?

We’re not just throwing dirt in a bucket. We’re crafting texture, moisture balance, airflow, and nutrients. Here’s your soil squad:

Moisture Control Base

  • Peat moss, coco coir, or compost
    Holds water without getting swampy.

Aeration Boosters

  • Perlite, pumice, or rice hulls
    These keep air flowing and roots breathing easy.

Drainage Structure

  • Pine bark fines or coarse sand
    Help water move through instead of hanging around.

Plant-Specific Add-Ins

  • Charcoal for purity, worm castings for nutrients, mycorrhizae for root health
    Because sometimes plants need their supplements too.

Recipe Time: Mixes by Plant Type

You wouldn’t give a cactus the same care as a fern. Same goes for their soil.

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Succulent & Cactus Mix

  • 2 parts coarse sand

  • 2 parts perlite

  • 1 part peat or coco coir

  • Optional: crushed charcoal for extra drainage

Pro Tips from the PlantmyPlants Pros

1. Label your mixes—nothing’s worse than mystery soil

2. Wear gloves if your skin is sensitive to compost or coir

3. Use a mesh sieve if you want ultra-fine texture (especially for seed starting!)

4. Try small batches first, then scale up as you learn what your plants love

Tropical Houseplant Mix

  • 2 parts peat or coco coir

  • 1 part perlite

  • 1 part pine bark fines

  • ½ part worm castings or compost

Fern Mix

  • 2 parts compost or coir

  • 1 part perlite

  • 1 part bark fines

  • Optional: a pinch of sphagnum moss for extra moisture retention

Optional: A teak or bamboo side table for your iced tea and plant books

Final Touches

Storage Tips: Keep It Fresh

Good dirt deserves good storage. Once you’ve mixed your blend:

  • Store it in an airtight container or bin

  • Keep it dry and out of direct sun

  • Add a bay leaf or sprinkle of cinnamon to ward off fungus gnats (yep, that works)

And yes, sniff it often. That fresh, earthy smell? Chef’s kiss.

Tell Us What You’re Mixing!

Got a secret recipe? A hack for moisture retention? A pic of your perfectly layered soil bin? Share it with us!

  • Tag @PlantMyPlants and use #WednesdayWorks to show off your mix mastery

  • Let us know how the new blog format feels—we’re here to grow with you

Final Thought

Crafting your own potting mix is about more than ingredients—it’s about intention.

It says: I know my plants. I understand what they need. I care enough to give them more than “good enough.”

And somewhere in that mixing bowl of coir, perlite, and pine bark, you’re reminded of something else:

Growth takes a foundation worth rooting into.

And now? You’ve built one from scratch.

So get dirty, get creative, and grow something wild.

See you all Monday!

❝

The nation that destroys its soil destroys itself.

— Franklin D. Roosevelt

With gritty love,

-The PlantmyPlants Team
Instagram @PlantMyPlants | Facebook

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