There are a confusing amount of DIY recipes for making your own potting mix. I used to have the patience, storage space and time to create my own. Ah the good old days. But then life got busy(er). Plus I ran out of room to store multiple bags for all the separate ingredients. Not to mention the frustration of running out of one ingredient before the rest.

These days, when I do find the time to repot, I just want a mix that's already made for me (and my plants), in the right ratios, ready to go, all in one bag. SUCH a time saver. Not to mention a space saver! And way less mess too. 

 Who is Wildvine? 

Wildvine potting mix is freshly hand-blended in small batches by owner Kate, based in Whangarei. You might know Kate from YouTube or already be one of her 15 thousand+ followers on Instagram (if you're not, you should be). I love that she created this for her own plants health and happiness first-and-foremost, and selling it came later.  

Wildvine Succulent Blend available in: 
2 litres and 6 litres (this size)  

 Which plants is this mix best for? 

Ideal for all your finer-rooted tropical succulents, semi-succulents and jungle cacti. That includes semi-succulents like Pilea, Peperomia Hope and String of Turtles. The Senecio, Callisia and Ceropegia families, including String of Pearls, Chain of Hearts, Pink Bubbles, String of Dolphins and String of Bananas. Jungle cacti like the Rhipsalis family, Fishbone Cactus, Snowdrop Cactus, Orchid Cactus and Chain Cactus. 

 What's in this mix (and why)? 

Wildvine Succulent Blend is a light, fluffy, fibrous, free-draining, gritty mix. It provides a medium to low level of water retention. And importantly, no fertiliser. Yep, it's free of slow-release fertiliser so you're in control of the quality of what your plant gets fed, how often, and in the right amounts. Helping you avoid both nutrient deficiencies from under-feeding, as well as over-fertilising and fertiliser burn. Depending on your plant, water again when this mix is from 50% right up to 100% dry (the colour-changing Sustee water meters or a Crew Soil Sensor are both great tools for avoiding both under-watering or over-watering for succulent and cacti).

 Coco fibre 

Also called coco coir, coco fibre is a clever substrate that provides better aeration than soil. It's spongey, fibrous and light, combining both water retention and drainage, keeping the mix light and loose, reducing waterlogging and compaction. Imagine coco fibres like tiny spongelike tubes. They quickly absorb water, but only hold so much, letting excess water flow freely through, retaining plenty of air-space. That means extra oxygen flow to the roots, reducing the risk of root rot. 

 Bark fibre 

Roots LOVE bark fibre. Fluffy and fibrous. It increases aeration, adds drainage and boy does it get roots growing. I also love that bark fibre changes colour, from the colour of dark chocolate to milk chocolate when it's time to water again. Dammit, now I want chocolate. 

 Perlite 

Perlite has no odour, is sterile and non-toxic. What does have is holes! It feels like pumice and looks like polystyrene, but is naturally sourced from volcanic rock. Perlite increases space for oxygen, helps prevent soil compaction and increases drainage.

 Pumice 

Pumice is entirely natural, volcanic rock, ready to use straight from the earth. Because it keeps its shape even when soaked in water, adding pumice keeps soil loose and stops soil compacting. Pumice also adds a little weight to the mix while giving finer, shallower roots a good anchor. 

 Storage 

I prefer to buy only what I need and use it fresh, but if you have potting mix leftover, shift it into a sealed container to extend the life and retain all that natural organic goodness for as long a possible. Best stored inside at room temperature in low'ish humidity and out of direct sun. Much the same as chocolate actually. Although I do like mine in the fridge too.