The secret to keeping your plant happy and content is to give it just what it needs: water, light and a good substrate. The substrate is of vital importance for the growth of your plant, as it will be its source of food, among other things, and it must respond to the type of plant. Each species has different needs and the substrate should be chosen accordingly. Don't worry, this will be a quick reference guide to choosing the substrate for each type of plant.

The importance of choosing a good substrate

With the substrate you have to be very demanding, as it has to comply with a series of characteristics: it must be able to provide a solid ground that supports the plant, as well as providing nutrients and being the vehicle that retains the sufficient amount of water necessary for its growth and feeding; all this without cutting off the circulation of air and with the ideal texture to allow the roots to develop.

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The first thing to know is that there is no single type of substrate. It can be made up of a mixture of different materials that allow you to create a perfect medium to support a certain type of plant, as the aim is to recreate the conditions of the plant in nature, even optimising them to compensate for other factors that may affect the plant's development.

For example, natural soil can have 3% organic matter, while a pot can have a concentration of up to 70%. A pot also has a more porous and aerated substrate compared to soil, which is very positive for the plant as it allows it to expand its roots to its heart's content.

Types of substrate for each type of plant

You can prepare your substrate by buying various components and creating a special mix, but it is also possible to find pre-mixed and packaged substrates that will make your life easier. If you go to the Be.Green Accessories section you will find some substrates for your plant, among them the multipurpose or universal substrate . This contains a balanced mix of peat, perlite, coco fibre, compost and manure. This mix works well with most houseplants, but if you want something more special, you can try specific substrates, depending on the type of plant.

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Substrate for acid or acidophilic plants:

Acidophilic plants are those that require a more acidic substrate, with a pH between 4 and 6. They are usually native to Asia and prefer climates with distinct seasons. If they do not have an acid substrate, the plants begin to suffer from chlorosis, the first symptom of which is yellow leaves. Acidic plants include hydrangea, camellias, rhododendrons and cyclamen. A substrate mix for these may contain 50% peat moss, 30% perlite and 20% compost.

Substrate for green indoor plants

this group includes green, large-leaved plants which are usually of tropical origin. For this type of plant a balanced mixture of nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus. As they require more or less high humidity, they should ideally contain 60% peat, vermiculite and some perlite to facilitate drainage. A universal substrate is perfect for this type of plant.

We ship plants to all locations, you can see more options here.

Bonsai Carmona (8 years old)

€82.00

An easy-care bonsai

Buy

Euphorbia Eritrea

€64.00

An exotic and hardy succulent.

Buy

We ship plants to all locations, you can see more options here

Continue shopping

Substrate for flowering plants

Some people sell a specific substrate for flowering plants, but I have noticed that not all flowering plants have the same needs. For example, azaleas are acidophilic, while violets are not, so my choice for this type of plant is to supplement the type-specific substrate with an organic fertiliser such as guano, which will stimulate and nourish the flowering cycle.

Substrate for succulents (cacti and succulents)

While many plants can do very well with a universal substrate, in the case of succulent plants it is best to go straight for a special substrate. This is because they require a mix that facilitates drainage even more, as this avoids problems with excess moisture that can rot the roots. Some recommend a mixture of vermiculite, black peat and perlite, while others put a high concentration of sand in the mix.

Substrate for orchids

Orchids are usually air plants, living suspended from trees and other plants, so they do not require a dense and heavy substrate; rather, it is preferable to look for light and very porous substrates, which facilitate water drainage as excess water can kill them.

Substrate for Bonsai

Bonsai are very unique plants, which require a particular composition of substrate, which should be very rich in nutrients but with an incredible drainage capacity. It should also be very low in nitrogen and high in phosphorus and potassium as this allows the trunk to widen and not elongate so much. Ideally, akadama and kiryuzuna should be mixed, with the addition of kanuma if it is an acidophilic plant.

It is very important to know the type of plant you are adopting for your home, as this will allow you to make the right decisions in terms of substrate, lighting and other factors that will give it quality of life.

It is precisely for this reason that at Be.Green we provide you with a summary of all these characteristics and you can always consult them on our website. We want to make caring for your plants as easy and pleasant as possible.