Repotting: how to choose the right potting mix for your houseplants
Coco-perlite, chunky mix, rich potting soil or PON?
Because not every plant likes having its roots in the same potting mix!
When it comes to houseplant care, we often talk about lighting, watering and humidity. But there's another equally important factor that sometimes gets overlooked: the growing medium!
Coco-perlite, chunky mix, tropical potting soil, PON... with so many options available, it's perfectly normal to wonder which one to choose.
And no, just because a particular mix works wonders for your Monstera doesn't necessarily mean it will suit another plant that prefers more consistent moisture.
Every plant has its own needs, and choosing the right growing medium can make a huge difference in its growth, root health and even how often you need to water it.
At Zarits, we particularly love two mixes for our tropical houseplants: coco-perlite and Chunky Mix. We love them both, but they don't meet exactly the same needs!
Coco-perlite: a little more moisture retention, plenty of possibilities!
Coco-perlite is a blend of coconut coir and perlite that offers a great balance between moisture retention and root aeration.
Coconut coir helps hold moisture for longer, while perlite keeps the mix light and promotes good airflow around the roots.
Compared with a very coarse chunky mix, our coco-perlite generally retains moisture a little longer.
- Good moisture retention without becoming overly compact.
- Lightweight, airy structure.
- May help extend the time between waterings.
- Suitable for many tropical houseplants.
- An excellent option for plants that appreciate more consistent moisture.
Ideal for: many Alocasias, Philodendrons, Scindapsus and other tropical plants, depending on their needs.
At Zarits, we especially love using coco-perlite for our Alocasias! They generally appreciate an airy growing medium that retains some moisture without staying waterlogged.
Chunky mix: a favourite for roots that love to breathe!
If you collect tropical houseplants, you've probably already heard about the famous chunky mix!
This growing medium stands out for its larger particles, which allow excellent airflow around the roots.
It's particularly interesting for tropical plants that appreciate a very airy growing medium and good drainage.
- Excellent oxygen circulation around the roots.
- Fast drainage.
- A structure that helps prevent compaction.
- Creates a well-aerated root environment.
- Especially interesting for many climbing and collectible tropical plants.
Ideal for: many Anthuriums, Monsteras, Philodendrons and other tropical plants that appreciate plenty of root aeration.
At Zarits, we love using chunky mix for many of our collectible plants, especially Anthuriums and Philodendrons!
Do you tend to be a little too generous with the watering can? This mix might be a good option for you, since excess water can generally drain away more easily.
On the other hand, if you regularly forget to water your plants, a very coarse chunky mix might not be the best match for your habits. Depending on its composition and your growing conditions, it may dry out faster than a finer mix.
But remember! Ambient humidity, temperature, lighting, pot type and even the size of your plant all play an important role.
Chunky Mix or coco-perlite? In this short video, Meghan shows you the differences between our two Zarits potting mixes and explains which one to choose based on your plants and watering habits.
Discover the differences between our Chunky Mix and coco-perlite potting mixes, presented by Meghan at Zarits.
Rich potting soil: the classic choice
Traditional potting soil is generally made with organic materials such as peat moss or coconut coir. It may also contain compost, perlite or other ingredients.
It often retains more moisture than a very coarse mix and may provide some nutrients, depending on its composition.
- Good moisture retention.
- May contain nutrients.
- Easy to use.
- Suitable for many houseplants.
Ideal for: many plants that prefer more consistent moisture, such as certain Calatheas, Marantas, ferns and peace lilies (Spathiphyllum).
However, it's important to avoid overly compact mixes that can restrict airflow and retain water for too long.
PON: a different way to grow your plants
PON is a mineral-based growing medium generally made from pumice, zeolite and volcanic rock.
Unlike traditional potting soils, it doesn't rely on organic matter. It can be used in different growing systems, including semi-hydroponics.
- Stable, well-aerated structure.
- Very little compaction.
- Can be used with a suitable water-reservoir system.
- Offers a different way to manage moisture around the roots.
Ideal for: many Anthuriums, Philodendrons, Monsteras and Alocasias, provided the growing method is properly adapted.
Some PON formulations include fertilizer, while others require regular fertilization.
Moving a plant from traditional potting soil to PON also requires an adjustment period and a good understanding of water management.
So, how do you choose the right potting mix?
The best mix isn't necessarily the most popular one. It's the one that suits your plant's needs and your own care habits!
Do you sometimes forget to water your plants?
Coco-perlite might become your best friend! It generally retains a little more moisture than a very coarse chunky mix while still allowing roots to breathe.
Are you a little generous with your watering can?
Chunky mix might be right up your alley! Its excellent aeration and fast drainage make it particularly interesting for many tropical plants.
Do you grow Alocasias?
At Zarits, we really like coco-perlite for this group of plants. It provides a nice balance of moisture and aeration, two important factors for healthy growth.
Do you collect Anthuriums and Philodendrons?
Chunky mix is often an excellent choice, especially for varieties that appreciate a coarse, well-aerated substrate.
And don't forget that your environment makes a huge difference! A mix may dry out quickly in a heavily heated home but stay moist much longer in a humid environment.
An interesting little fact
When a growing medium stays constantly saturated with water, oxygen becomes less available. Roots can then weaken and become more vulnerable to rot.
That's why drainage and aeration are just as important as a substrate's ability to retain moisture.
What to avoid if you want happy roots
- Thinking a well-draining mix means you can water without thinking. Even with the best growing medium in the world, too much water can eventually cause problems.
- Using the same potting mix for all your plants. A plant that prefers consistently moist conditions and a collectible Anthurium don't necessarily have the same needs.
- Choosing a pot that's much too large. Excess substrate around the roots can stay wet for too long and make watering more difficult to manage.
- Changing the growing medium without adjusting your care routine. Moving from traditional potting soil to chunky mix or PON can completely change how your plant takes up water. Give it time to adjust and observe how it responds.
A little note from Roxanne
Personally, I think choosing the right growing medium is one of the most interesting things to explore when you start deepening your knowledge of plants.
At Zarits, we love experimenting with our different potting mixes! It helps us discover what we like, what we don't like, what works beautifully for certain plants and what gives less successful results for others. And that's also how we keep learning!
That's what I find so wonderful about houseplants: they're often capable of adapting to a wide range of growing conditions. So there isn't necessarily just one right way to do things.
Depending on our environment, our watering habits and especially how much time we want to spend caring for our plants, the ideal growing medium can be completely different from one person to another.
At Zarits, we love both coco-perlite and chunky mix, but for different reasons. And even though we have our preferences for certain plant families, that doesn't stop us from trying new things and comparing the results!
So don't be afraid to experiment, observe your plants and make a few adjustments along the way.
Because ultimately, that's part of the joy of having plants: trying new things, learning and discovering what works best for them... and for us!
