![Houseplant - Soil and Lighting Guide Houseplant - Soil and Lighting Guide](/assets/Houseplant-Soil-and-Lighting-Guide_899166_2.jpg)
In spring, it’s the perfect time to give your houseplants a fresh start! If your plants have outgrown their pots or need a good division, repotting is essential for their health and growth. To make sure your plants thrive, here are our secret soil recipes tailored for different types of houseplants. Grab your bowls, buckets, and ingredients to mix your custom soil.
Essential Ingredients for Soil Recipes (based on a 9L bucket)
- Oderings Potting & Basket Mix
- Coir block (hydrated)
- Perlite
- Fine pumice
Soil Recipes for Different Plant Needs
Mix One – The Lush and Hardy
For plants that prefer more hydration and lower light levels (e.g. creeping ficus, ivy, syngonium).
Mix:
- 7 litres of Oderings Potting & Basket Mix
- 4 cups of hydrated coir block
- 2 cups of perlite
Mix Two – The Tropics
This is for plants that like medium to bright light and require freer-draining soil (e.g. pothos, calatheas, monstera, fiddle leaf fig).
Mix:
- 7 litres of Oderings Potting & Basket Mix
- 4 cups of hydrated coir block
- 5 cups of perlite
Mix Three – The Sun Lovers
This is for sun-loving plants like cacti and succulents and those needing more drainage (e.g., hoya, chain of hearts, string of pearls).
Mix:
- 7 litres of Oderings Potting & Basket Mix
- 4 cups of hydrated coir block
- 4 cups of perlite
- 3 cups of fine pumice
Oderings Top Repotting Tips
- When to Repot: Spring and summer are the best times to repot, as your houseplant is in its growth phase.
- Pot Size: Choose a pot about 1/3 bigger than the existing one. Avoid going too large, as this can shock the plant, making it difficult to water.
- Soil Level: Keep the plant at the same soil level as in the previous pot.
- Fertilising: There is no need to fertilise for at least 3 months after repotting, as the new mix contains adequate nutrients.
- Minimise Shock: Consider using a seaweed tonic to help your plant adjust to its new home.
Lighting Levels for Houseplants
Proper placement of your plants is crucial for their well-being. Most houseplants thrive in temperatures between 18°C and 14°C. Keep them away from cold draughts or direct air from heat pumps. Here's a guide to help you determine the ideal lighting for different plants:
Plant Lighting Requirements
Bright Direct Light
- Cacti
- Succulents
- Sansevieria
Bright Indirect Light
- String of Pearls
- Hoyas
- Devil’s Ivy
- ZZ Plants
- Peace Lily
- Palms
Medium Light
- Ferns
- Philodendron Cordatum
- Bridal Veil
- Ficus
- Peace Lily
- Palms
Low Light
- Zebrena
- Peperomias
- ZZ Plants
- Ferns
- Peace Lily
With these soil recipes and lighting tips, your plants are set to thrive through the spring and summer.