I recently received a Kalanchoe tomentosa (the teddy bear succulent) from my sister, but it's been struggling to thrive. I've tried using peat-based seed-starting soil, but it didn't seem to provide enough drainage. I mixed it with sand and leca, but unfortunately, it turned into a sticky mess when watered. I'm looking for a quick recommendation for an off-the-shelf soil that would work well for this plant while I figure out a better soil mix later.
1 Answer
A good mix for your Kalanchoe would be 60–70% pumice and 30–40% of a well-draining potting soil. It should help with drainage and prevent that muddy mess you experienced.
Is there anything that works as a substitute for pumice? I can't find it easily!
I think perlite would work instead of pumice. It’s similar in that it provides good aeration!