Hey everyone! I'm currently dealing with some issues using Miracle-Gro indoor potting mix, which seems to retain moisture for way too long, leading to root rot in three of my plants. It's gotten to the point where I'm hesitant to pot any new plants, as I nearly lost my pothos too. I know adding perlite can help, but I can't get my hands on any right now. I'm looking for tips or tricks to manage this situation with items I might already have at home. Any suggestions would be super helpful!
3 Answers
Just to check, you have drainage holes in your pots, right? It's crucial for avoiding root rot, so make sure they're there before trying other methods.
It sounds like you're using a potting mix that's quite dense, which can be a problem. Besides adding something to improve drainage, consider if your pots are too big or if your plants are getting enough light. Increasing airflow, like using a fan, can help the soil dry out faster. But if changing pots or adding perlite isn’t an option for now, I’d suggest just waiting until you can get what you need. Just a heads up, while rocks can help, they're heavy and might compact the soil further, which isn’t ideal for roots.
Totally agree!! I think these are really the only options!!!
Do you happen to have any gravel lying around? If yes, rinse it off and mix it into your soil to help improve drainage.
Yes I do. It’s no problem.