Have you been looking for the best potting soil for your Christmas cactus? It’s never too early to start the search, so your house looks amazing to come the holidays. Keep reading for the best soil to help your cactus thrive this season.
Don’t have time to read? Here’s a quick summary of the products we recommend.
Best Christmas Cactus Potting Soils
Hoffman Organic Cactus and Succulent Soil
Hoffman’s organic cactus and the succulent mix are professionally formulated with cacti in mind. It is designed to help the flowers bloom to be their best while promoting the development of roots.
Cacti need drainage to grow well, and this mix contains sand to help the soil drain faster. It also includes Canadian Spaghnum Peat Moss and Reed Sedge Peat, so you will get a good amount of organic matter mixed in to balance out the soil.
If you’re a somewhat inexperienced gardener or don’t think you have a green thumb, the directions provided on the package can walk you through how to use it. Even if it’s your first time purchasing a Christmas cactus, you can transplant it confidently and enjoy its beautiful blooms.
Pros
- It’s ready to use mix, so you can get started as soon as you open it
- pH balanced
- It can be used for both jungle and desert cacti and succulents
- Organic
Cons
- Some customers said larger pieces of mulch inside were difficult to break up by hand.
- A few people reported the soil to be hydrophobic, which means it repels water.
Espoma Organic Potting Mix for All Plants
This potting mix from Espoma can be used for both indoor and outdoor containers. It is designed to help retain moisture and decrease the stress a plant undergoes when it is not watered enough.
The soil has been enhanced with a Myco-Tone formula to save water. It helps you know how much to water your plant and also retains a lot of water, so you don’t have to worry about them drying out if you don’t water for a few days.
Using this soil allows your plants to be even more low maintenance which is ideal if you have a busy schedule and sometimes forget about them for a few days. By being a smarter gardener, you can make the soil work to help your plants and stay happy.
Pros
- It has a nice, earthy smell.
- It helps to promote root growth which results in bigger plants
- It can be used for all kinds of plants
Cons
- A little on the pricier side
- Some customers said the bag had a lot of air in it, so there wasn’t as much soil as expected.
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Superfly Bonsai Pre-Mixed Fast Draining Blend
This soil mix from Superfly Bonsai was designed to love bonsai plants. However, it can also be used for cactus and succulent plants with similar soil needs.
For the health of your cactus, you will need soil that is well-aerated and drains quickly. This soil is known for both of those requirements. It contains New Zealand pine bark, Japanese Akadama, pumice, and haydite.
It has been pre-mixed, so you don’t have to worry about making your potting mix suit your plants’ needs. Just open up the bag, and you are ready to plant your Christmas cactus as soon as you bring it home from the store.
Pros
- The bag is resealable
- 100% money-back guarantee
- Promotes drainage
Cons
- It’s a bit more expensive than other soils
- Some thought it drained too quickly for their liking
Daniel’s Plants Cactus and Succulent Mix and Transplant Kit
Check Price on Amazon >>If you want your Christmas cactus to thrive long beyond the holidays and into the new year, then starting with the foundation of good soil is the key to long growth. This mix is not only the ideal soil but also a transplanting kit so you can transfer your cactus into a more beautiful and festive pot.
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It is professionally formulated with the exact amount of nutrients and necessary ingredients for a healthy plant. A fiber harvested from coconuts, the soil lets water flow through while maintaining the right moisture. it contains pumice and coco coir
Making your potting soil mix can take a lot of time and research to ensure it is the right combination for whatever you are planting. But why waste your precious time when the experts have perfected the process and provided you with an ideal formulation? Demystify the process by grabbing this soil, and you’ll look like a pro.
Pros
- Satisfaction is guaranteed, or you will receive a full refund
- Includes a transplant scoop
- Very nutrient dense to feed plants
- It expands a lot when water is added, so a little goes a long way
Cons
- The color is browner and not the deep black of other potting soils
- One user commented that there was a strange smell when the soil became damp
- Several reported the bag is much smaller than they expected and not worth the cost
Dr. Earth Exotic Cactus and Succulent Soil
If you’re searching for soil that has already been mixed and contains many organic materials, this mix from Dr. Earth will help your Christmas cactus thrive. It is designed with the unique needs of cactus and similar drought-tolerant plants in mind.
The specialized ingredients help plants become better established after being transplanted, thriving in their new pots. Other ingredients added to the mix include kelp meal, dolomite lime, composted green waste, peat moss, fir bark, and more. With so many mixes and nutrients, your plant is sure to love this soil.
The manufacturers of this mix have gone above and beyond to ensure it contains everything your cactus could need. This will save you time and money from having to buy add-ins that you might not be sure will be useful.
Pros
- Safe for pets
- OMRI listed
- Contains pro-moisture hydrate and TruBiotic
- Most who used it reported their plants were thriving in this mix
Cons
- One customer commented that the mixture seemed more like mulch than soil
- It doesn’t soak up a lot of water
Perfect Plants Soil Mix for Drainage and Aeration
This soil mix from Perfect Plants aims to nourish the plant while simultaneously aerating the soil for good circulation so the roots can breathe easier. This means your plant will be happy and healthy, so you can plant it and enjoy it for weeks without a lot of maintenance.
It is suitable for all types of cacti, including the Christmas cactus. With a balanced blend of peat moss, lime, and perlite, you can be sure that your plant will enjoy living in this soil, and you’ll get the most out of it all season long.
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Once your cactus has run its course, you can re-use the soil again in the spring to plant some flowers or dump it in the garden to grow vegetables. Or store it in the bag until next season when you’re ready to buy a new plant and use it all over again.
Pros
- Water drains very quickly, and aeration expands to allow root growth
- The bag is resealable and heavy-duty, so you don’t have to worry about spills or making a mess
Cons
- Some said it contained too many twigs and pieces of bark to be usable in smaller pots.
- A few reported that it did not drain as well and held on to water more than they wanted
Organic Potting Mix for All Plant Types
This organic potting soil by Perfect Plants is designed for all types of plants but can also be used for Christmas Cactus or similar plants. If you want additional drainage for your cactus plant, you can add in even more perlite, so the soil holds even less water.
This mix has also been enriched with mycorrhizal, which helps your plant’s roots grow and eliminate bacteria that may harm the cactus. It is ideal for plants grown in containers or pots, so you can use it indoors with a large pot to house your cactus.
The worm castings and composted pine bark in this mix have been added to the lime to balance the pH of the soil. The primary ingredients of peat moss, coconut coir, and perlite help with moisture retention and water absorption.
With this soil, you will know that your cactus needs everything, and the roots will be healthy underneath the mix. Because professional growers have formulated it, all the necessary ingredients are included for a beautiful and happy plant.
Pros
- The heavy-duty bag can be sealed for easy storage and is very user-friendly.
- This soil is fluffy and light and drains well not to become dense when watered.
- High-quality mix with a lot of additional ingredients for healthy plants
Cons
- A few users reported that the soil had a somewhat chemical smell to it
- One person thought the price was not worth it for the small amount of product
- Someone stated that their soil contained gnats and was too porous for their plant to establish roots
Sun Gro Horticulture Black Gold Cactus Mix
This cactus mix from Sun Gro Horticulture is blended with growing different types of cactus. Because of this, you know the potting soil will contain everything a cactus will need to grow well.
Because of the unique requirements of growing cactus, using this product takes all the guesswork out because it has already been mixed for you. It contains volcanic pumice, perlite, sand, and forest humus for ideal draining conditions after you water your cactus.
The balance of all the ingredients is right without being too rich or causing an imbalance in the soil. It can also be used for other cactus and succulent plants or to start seeds.
Pros
- Gritty soil allows the roots to breathe without soil clumping around them
- This soil is dark, rich, and full of nutrients and other organic materials
- It drains very quickly with little to no standing water underneath the pot in the water tray
Cons
- A few thought there were too many large clumps of bark and other organic pieces.
- Several customers reported that the bags could sometimes be inconsistent in quality.
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The Next Gardener Fast-Draining Succulent and Cactus Soil Mix
The Next Gardener’s succulent and cactus soil mix has been imported from Denmark and is blended to suit most cacti types. It is designed to drain well so the roots do not get too wet. It is best used on plants that need more acidic soil.
Proper drainage is key to ensuring the plants breathe and get air circulation around the roots to prevent mildew or mold. It also contains double-sifted compost and over 28 elements and minerals that plants need to stay healthy and beautiful.
Because over half of your plant lives underground and is composed of roots, they must get what they need through the soil. With a mix like this, you won’t have to worry that your plant is doing fine only to have it die unexpectedly because the roots were suffering unnoticed.
Pros
- 100% natural and organic
- It drains well and is lightweight
- It helps prevent roots from rotting
Cons
- A few commented that it did not have enough grit for drainage
- Some people had a bag which arrived with gnats inside
- Several users complained that the soil had a sulfuric smell they didn’t like
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Miracle-Gro Cactus Potting Mix
Miracle-Gro is known for its high-quality potting soil and plant foods, and this potting mix is no exception. Added plant food will help your plant grow and stay healthy, so you don’t have to buy additional products.
The fast-draining formula consists of sand and perlite to prevent the soil from getting compacted, inhibiting draining. Dense soils will spell doom for a cactus, but you won’t have to worry about that with this potting mix.
Instead, let the sand in this mix mimic the natural desert environment that cactus thrive in by providing the necessary drainage. Even though it’s Christmas and you’ve got a cactus in your house, the plant will feel like it’s right at home in any pot because it will be in such a great mix.
Pros
- Enriched with plant food that feeds plants for up to six months
- Users reported that plants grew very quickly when planted in this mix
- The dirt is very loose, which makes it perfect for cacti
Cons
- A few customers received a soil that contained gnats or fungus
- Some reported that it was not as sandy as they would have liked for improved drainage
Things to Consider When Choosing the Potting Soil
Drainage
A Christmas cactus needs soil that can quickly drain to let excess water flow through. If the roots get too wet, your plant may be in trouble. The best choice is soil that doesn’t hold onto water for too long.
Make sure to put the cactus into a pot with a drainage hole. There should be plenty of room for the water to escape, so it doesn’t build up in the bottom of the pot.
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Ingredients
The ideal soil for a Christmas cactus will consist of potting soil mixed with sand. It can also contain peat moss or compost along with sand. You should also be mindful of seeing if the soil contains nutrients to feed the plant. If fertilizer is included, you won’t have to purchase additional products to ensure maximum growth.
Density
Potting soil that is too heavy will suffocate the roots, and they won’t have room to expand as they grow. You can check soil density through touch to ensure it isn’t too soft or too hard. If the bag of soil is incredibly heavy, that might be a sign that the soil is much too dense for your planting needs.
Organic
Most gardeners prefer organic soil because it doesn’t contain any chemicals which can be detrimental to your plant’s growth. An organic soil usually has more nutrients to feed the plant, which is healthy and grows to its full potential.
Some organic compounds also contain compost or other natural fibers, which can boost plants. Although organic potting soil can be more expensive, it will often last longer and be used again for other plants.
Circulation
Your Christmas cactus will need soil that allows air to circulate properly, and soil can help with that. Look for potting soil which is light and fluffy compared to dense or tightly packed. A soil that gets too dense when it is wet won’t let the roots grow.
Wrap Up
With so many types of soil to choose from, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. But if you have to choose just one, we recommend the Dr. Earth Exotic Cactus and Succulent Soil because it’s full of mix-ins and is designed to provide superior drainage. It has many organic materials to feed the plant and can be used for indoor and outdoor plants.
Hey, I’m Joey. I’ve been cooking since I was a little kid and love everything about it. You can find my writing about food, kitchen appliances (such as blenders) and much more. Thanks for stopping by!
