Hey everyone, sorry for the noob question! I'm really curious about using pea pebbles in my potting setup. I've created two 4" deep pots with 1" of pea pebbles at the bottom, then 1" of 2:1 pea pebbles to soil, followed by 1.5" of cactus soil, and finishing with another 0.5" layer of pea pebbles on top. I've seen mixed advice online about this. I have a few succulents that have been struggling, and I'm worried about the drainage and whether using pea pebbles is the right move. I already repotted some cuttings and rooted plants into this setup, and they look okay so far... but I'm anxious about potential root issues down the line. Should I consider repotting them into something without pea pebbles, or do you think they're safe as is? Any insights would be super appreciated! Thanks for reading my lengthy post!
2 Answers
It really depends on your environment and the specific water needs of your plants. If your soil is drying out within a few days after watering, and your succulents are looking happy, you might be in the clear! ? Just keep an eye on water retention; a fan blowing toward them can help with air circulation. Honestly, I’ve found that coco coir (the stuff that comes in brick form) is a great option for rooting because it’s light and doesn’t damage roots when checking them!
Pea pebbles can be pretty heavy, so you might want to consider switching to pumice. It’s a lighter alternative and seems to have better drainage. If you do change it up, mixing pumice with your soil might be more beneficial than just replacing the pebbles outright.
I'm definitely looking into that! ? Would the same composition ratio work if I sub the pumice for the pebbles, or should I mix it into the soil for better results? Thanks in advance!
Ohh that's very helpful. Thank you!! I've heard succulents struggle to root in pea pebbles, which worries me for some of the deeper roots. I'm not sure what half of them are called, so I can't do proper research. ?♀️