Curiosity always makes me dig deeper and look deeper, maybe a little too deep. I’m a San Pedro grower, with a large collection of the San Pedro cactus plants. Taking care of cactus is not out of curiosity but necessity.
San Pedro is a great plant to grow from seeds. If you want to start growing San Pedro cactus from the very beginning, then the best soil for San Pedro must have several properties.
If we have grown San Pedro cactus in our homes without any good results, there are chances are that we have been planting the wrong kind of soil. Though there are no hard-and-fast rules while planting cactus and succulents, there are reasons why some soils work well for them and others don’t.
We’re featuring 6 of the best soil for San Pedro if you want to grow your cactus plant. If you’re looking for a guide on how to grow San Pedro, you’ve come to the right place.
Miracle-Gro Cactus, Palm & Citrus Potting Mix 8 Qt.—Best Overall
- Miracle-Gro Cactus is a soil designed to help the fast-growing cactus and succulent plants that require less watering. It’s specifically made for cacti, with a fast-draining formula that nurtures succulent plants much faster than other soils.
- Miracle-Gro has come out with their answer to this in a new product: Miracle-Gro Cactus Food Enriched with Miracle-Gro. It’s meant to be used as a part of your regular watering routine and help keep your cactus alive and strong!
- Beautiful, colorful results for san Pedro cactus.
- Contains forest products, sphagnum peat moss, sand, and perlite to help prevent soil compaction and improve drainage.
- For use in containers.
Pros
- The mix isn’t as sandy as I’d expected but drains well.
- No bugs or mold in the bag.
- Quick draining and just the right nutrients!
- A good combination of nutrients and drainage.
- By itself this soil holds too much water for most succulents.
Cons
- It obviously is unscreened.
Why Best
- Best product by far for cactus, palms, and succulents.
- The rocks are teeny tiny pebbles, most of the size range of fertilizer granulates.
Hoffman 10404 Organic Cactus and Succulent Soil Mix, 4 Quarts, Brown/A—2nd Best
- Hoffman 10404 Organic Cactus and Succulent Soil Mix is 100% natural and perfect for all cacti, succulents, and bonsai plants.
- Hoffman 10404 Organic Cactus and Succulent Soil Mix is ideal for a wide range of plants including, but not limited to, cacti, aloe vera, agave, and many succulents.
- This soil mix provides the drainage cacti need to flourish, as it is an open textured blend with a high pore space that allows excess water to drain from the pot quickly.
- It is designed to provide the ideal growing environment for both cacti and other succulents. Complete package directions provide useful growing information.
- This product measures 4 quarts.
Pros
- It drains quickly.
- No particles floating and no mold.
- the price is quite reasonable too.
Cons
- This drains faster than flower soil but not fast enough to have a set watering day.
Why Best
This product contains some sand, very little perlite, no large sticks or bark pieces, no chemical fertilizers, and drains very efficiently.
Succulent & Cactus Soil Mix – Premium Pre-Mixed Fast Draining Blend (1.25 Dry Quarts)—-3rd Best
- Sifted Prior To Bagging – 1/4 Hard Japanese Akadama – 1/4 USA Pumice – 1/4 New Zealand Pine Bark and 1/4 Haydite
- The mixture is composed of mostly non-organic substances (no dust). This is really a substrate. It has been proven to be a great drainage system and water retention, as well as intake of nutrients and oxygen to your roots (which they are awestruck by).
- Simply cut off the top and then reseal the closed bag repeatedly until the moment is right to place an order for soil.
- If you’re not satisfied at all with our product, we’ll reimburse you the full amount.
Pros
- This mix is the real deal when it comes to succulent soils!
- It drains a little too well with some of my succulents, even with a good soak.
Cons
The price, however…OUCH.
Why Best
- Super quick delivery.
- Water does run freely and the mixture is physically ‘lite.’
Fat Plants San Diego Premium Cacti and Succulent Potting Mix Soil – for Cactus Palm Tree Citrus Plant Grown in Gardening Containers – Indoors & Outdoors Use – with Natural Food/Fertilizer
- This cactus soil mixing is specifically formulated to help you create the right environment for propagation, growth, and health in your cacti, succulents, palms, and citrus plants. Whether you’re a seasoned veteran or just getting started, this cactus soil mix will help you deliver a perfect environment for your plants.
- Our cactus mix potting soil includes eight-month’s worth of time-released nutrients to act as a natural fertilizer/food for your budding succulents. They come in the form of small yellow balls containing the macro-nutrients nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K). We use a large proportion of pumice pebbles, which are excellent at conserving moisture. Plus, we added biodegradable organic soil conditioner, perlite, and pine bark to ensure the perfect environment for root development.
- The only thing more important than the perfect amount of soil nutrients is a good pH level. Cacti and succulents prefer a fairly neutral pH that leans more towards acidity. This is exactly the environment that we provide with our cactus soil mix free of charge. Our goal with our cactus mix was to find eco-friendly alternatives to fertilizers, pesticides, and fungicides.
Pros
- It’s super fine and soft like cotton almost.
- It doesn’t have super tiny particles.
- , it drains fantastically and when it’s completely dry.
Cons
- it holds a LOT of water.
Why Best
- the smaller batch packaging, which makes it easy to handle.
- Contains sand, volcanic pumice, bone meal/blood meal, gravel, peat moss and worm castings.
Organic Potting Soil, Cactus and Succulent Soil Mix, Professional Grower Mix Soil, Fast Draining Pre-Mixed Coarse Blend (2 Quarts)
- contains 100% organic ingredients,
- light-weight soil,
- well-draining,
- pH balance(5.5)
- The soil contains 75% natural substrate and 25% perlite,
- The soil feature has good perviousness. rhizome breathability.
Pros
- it’s not full of chemical fertilizer.
- It’s very lightweight and airy.
Cons
- The soil seems to retain moisture for a while.
Why Best
- Super fast shipping and thankfully perfectly packaged.
- it has a lot of good ratings and it’s organic.
Succulent Plant Soil, Natural All-Purpose Cactus, Aloe Vera, and Succulent Potting Soil, 1 Quart Sized Bag, Premium Fast Draining Mix
- Your succulent plants will thrive in this fast-draining soil mix. Our premium all-purpose succulent soil is a specifically blended formula of peat moss, perlite, and horticulture sand to help you grow healthy, vibrant succulents with proper drainage. Because our blend drains fast, we guarantee that your planters or pots won’t sit in stagnant water and allow root rot to develop.
- A gardening soil blend with a difference for propagating plants from leaves and cuttings. Contains organic matter, peat moss, and perlite in a convenient medium-sized bag. The best choice for propagation!
- Ready to use our pre-mixed blend Make gardening easier by using our soil blends that are pre-mixed for stress-free potting and replanting. Simply move your succulents in their pots and include them in our mix of soil.
- RESEALABLE BAG: Packaged in a 6×9 Inch resealable bag. The perfect amount of soil for planting or repotting 1-2 small plants.
Pros
- This is great soil for succulents!
- Easy to use and the packaging is good.
- It seems like excellent quality.
Cons
- The bag needs to be larger.
Why Best
- Easy to use.
- Perfect mix and consistency for cactus & Succulents.
FAQ
Do San Pedro Cactus Like Full Sun?
How much sunlight can the San Pedro cactus need? The San Pedro Cactus prefers bright and warm spaces. When you plant this cactus in the inside, make sure that it is exposed to the sun’s direct light. San Pedro cacti need plenty of light from the sun and mature plants do not want to be in full sunlight.
The cactus is thriving in the full sun following the first year, but the seedlings can be more sensitive, so avoid exposure to too much sun in the event that they aren’t mature plants. It is important to gradually bring plants that have spent the winter indoors in direct sunlight in order to avoid getting sunburned if exposed directly.
It is the San Pedro cactus that withstands cold temperatures well, as long as they don’t lower below -9deg C.
How Much Water Does San Pedro Cactus Need?
I make sure to water my plants thoroughly throughout the year, from spring through autumn. It is said that the San Pedro cactus receives so much water that it cannot absorb any more. The residues that run into the saucer are taken out after a couple of minutes. It is left to dry out, or nearly dry till the following watering.
Similar to other cacti excessive watering could be an issue for the healthy growth and progress of the San Pedro cactus. They prefer dry conditions and don’t need to be watered often. Moderate irrigation is recommended between spring and autumn. In winter, it is recommended to limit irrigation to a minimum and tightly well controlled. In hot weather, the plants may be beneficial to add a bit of water.
The soil of the natural habitat in which the San Pedro cactus grows is abundant in nutrients, which means it could need more nutrition than some Cacti. Cacti are tolerant of low levels of nitrogen and greater amounts of phosphorus and potassium.
Clay pots are perfect pots for these cacti because they are more able to drain than pots made of other kinds of materials.
How Do You Fertilize San Pedro?
The San Pedro cactus can be fertilized occasionally from April to September. With liquid cactus fertilizer, semi-concentrated green plant fertilizer, or organic vegetable fertilizer.
In the first year after purchase or repotting, it does not need any fertilization, almost all substrates are pre-fertilized.
Diseases and Pests of San Pedro Cacti
Echinopsis pachanoi cacti can be susceptible to fungal diseases like witches’ broom and orange rust, particularly when they are over-watered. If you suspect that your plant has fungal infections ensure that you take out any affected parts using a clean knife. If your plant is suffering from multiple injuries, it’s wise to take some healthy cuts and begin with a fresh plant. It is generally accepted that fungal infections can be avoided by ensuring that the cactus has good drainage, lots of heat, sufficient airflow, as well as a clean atmosphere.
Other pests that commonly be harmful to San Pedro cactus include scale as well as mites, and root mealybugs. All of these can be eliminated easily by using neem oil, or just cleaning if the plant isn’t severely damaged.
Conclusion
Miracle-Gro Cactus, Palm & Citrus Potting Mix 8 Qt. is one of the best potting soils for cacti (San Pedro) to thrive in. It’s lightweight, fast draining, and retains moisture for effective plant growth. It also contains essential nutrients for selected cacti plants and more.
The Miracle-Gro Cactus, Palm & Citrus Potting Mix has become the most popular potting soil of all because of its effective blend, allowing for optimal plant growth. With all-natural components and high drainage, the Miracle-Gro Cactus, Palm & Citrus Potting Mix allows plants to flourish in pots. Since it provides good aeration and the ability to breathe, the plants are encouraged to develop strong roots faster than they would while being grown in regular potting soil.