*Please note: Limit maximum 10 litres total of potting mix per order before overweight shipping applies*

You can add other items to the same order, heavy limit only applies to potting mix and other items marked heavy. You can order more than the limit above in one order. If you order over 10 litres total in one order your order will be put on hold and I'll get in touch to arrange payment for overweight shipping (rates are here)

I'm in love

I didn't think I could love a potting mix more than the original Bio Leaf, but I was wrong. Yes, I said love. About potting mix. Is this variegated blend were ice cream I'd call it Chunky Monkey. Your plants will go bananas for this. I love it. My jungle loves it. Win win. 

Building on the same base as the OG Bio Leaf potting mix, the new variegated blend matches the needs specific to more salt-sensitive, slower-growing variegated tropical indoor plants, more prone to transplant stress and more at risk of root rot. Your substrate choice for variegated plants can make or break your chances of a healthy, long-term relationship together. Here's what's so special about this blend...

It's chunky!

Almost every ingredient in this free-draining mix has been upsized, increasing drainage, providing more oxygen to roots and reducing the risk of root rot. This is the chunkiest, most free-draining blend in the Bio Leaf Aroid & Hoya range. Creates an oxygen-rich environment roots love. Airy and non-clumping. Avoids compaction over time. A more open mix that improves air and moisture movement throughout the root zone. And NO fertiliser! Much safer for salt-sensitive varieties and slower growers. The size range is 8mm to 20mm. Compare that to the Bio Leaf Fine/Medium at 3mm to 6mm or Bio Leaf Medium/Chunky at 3mm to 9mm. 

Slow moisture release

With their reduced ability to photosynthesize, the more highly variegated the leaf, the slower they grow compared to their all-green cousins. This mix holds water without becoming waterlogged, keeping water in reserve for slower moisture release, helping avoid extremes of both root rot and dehydration, to increase growth while helping protect from abiotic stress.

Closer to nature

As well as the chunky goodies you can see, Bio Leaf also includes a proprietary Bioactive Blend that promotes a healthy microbial population of miniature, beneficial soil microorganisms, creating a foundation for your plant that's closer to nature. The non-plant-geek version? Although too tiny to see with the naked eye, Bio Leaf creates an ideal environment for tiny soil super heroes to set up home, helping increase nutrient availability to plants, reducing the risk of deficiencies and helping detoxify soil. 

Safe for salt-sensitive plants

With their slower growth rate, variegated plants are more salt-sensitive. Careful choice of fertiliser helps, using the 'weakly weekly' method, plus the right substrate helps protect variegated plants from excess salts. Improved drainage helps reduce soil salinity, keeping water flowing freely throughout the root zone and reducing pockets of mineral salt build-up that can cause root burn. NO slow-release synthetic fertiliser (important yet often overlooked for variegated plants), putting you in full control of the fertiliser quality, frequency and dose. 

What's in the bag?

As far as the big stuff goes, here's what's in the mix (along with the Bioactive Blend).

Orchid bark

Premium, export-quality grade orchid bark. Clean and sterile. Harder, slow-to-decompose grade lasts years. Increases soil aeration, resists compacting and adds drainage while holding water for slow-release. 

Pumice

Natural, volcanic rock. Keeps its shape even when waterlogged. Keeps soil loose. Adds aeration and improves drainage. Keeps water moving. Naturally porous. Holds water roughly twice as long as bark for slow and steady release. Compared to perlite which costs less, although pumice costs more, it is also the superior choice, offering better drainage and higher compact-resistance, as well as being more eco-friendly.

Fern fibre

Superb results for aroids, hoya, orchids, ferns and other epiphytes. Natural, soft, airy, fibrous and long lasting. Contains a lot of air but also holds water longer than many other free-draining substrates. Distributes moisture more evenly throughout the root zone. Sustainably harvested too.

Horticultural charcoal

The over-waterers and worried-plant-parent's best friend! Helps increase aeration and adds drainage. Natural porosity holds on to necessary nutrients for roots to access. Creates a more favourable environment for good bacteria and beneficial microbes. Helps balance soil pH.