Want succulents to root quickly? Add this to the soil and you won't have to worry about them not growing big.

Vermiculite is a natural, non-toxic mineral with ion exchange capacity. It generally expands at high temperatures, so it can provide excellent nutrition to the soil. Most crucially, its water repellency and air permeability are especially good, which makes it extremely beneficial for succulent growth and prevents root rot. In addition, it can also let us reduce the use of some fertilizers, making it very suitable for succulent growth.

Although vermiculite is granular and is known in nature for retaining water and allowing air through, it really cannot be considered a granular soil; it is better understood as a water-retaining molecule. Precisely because vermiculite has strong water retention, it has always been called a wonder tool for succulent leaf cuttings and sowing. Because of its strong water retention and its air permeability, it maintains the humidity of the growing environment very well, inducing seed germination or plant rooting. Usually, leaf cuttings or sowing are mixed with a not-small proportion of vermiculite.

Can vermiculite be used directly to grow succulents? No, vermiculite cannot provide nutrients. It is only an ingredient of nutrient soil, helpful for moisture retention and buffering heat radiation, able to promote plant growth, and its water absorption is very strong. If only vermiculite is used, first, the succulents cannot get nutrients, and second, the soil retains too much water, which easily causes root rot. In general succulent growing soil, to ensure the safety of succulents, mainstream soil mixes tend to pursue air permeability and fast drying, using peat (coco coir) and granular soil at a ratio of about 1:1.

You can use vermiculite to root succulents, because vermiculite's strong water retention and air permeability can maintain the humidity of the growing environment very well, inducing seed germination or plant rooting. Usually, leaf cuttings or sowing are mixed with a not-small proportion of vermiculite. Many succulent enthusiasts also use pure vermiculite for rooting; not only succulents, but roses, geraniums and other cuttings can also use pure vermiculite.

As a common nutrient soil for succulents, vermiculite is deeply loved by succulent enthusiasts. Generally speaking, vermiculite has two main uses in succulent cultivation: one is for rooting, and the other is for mixing soil. Of course, some flower lovers also use pure vermiculite to grow succulents; that is a matter of individual opinion. Vermiculite itself has no nutrients, but it retains water somewhat better. Some flower lovers like to mix vermiculite into the soil as a granular component, and succulent enthusiasts each have their own views on the pros and cons. When too much vermiculite is added to the soil mix, the medium contains a relatively large amount of water, retains too much water, and will cause root rot.

Current vermiculite is mainly white vermiculite and yellow vermiculite. We had best choose white vermiculite to add to succulent soil. It is very beneficial for succulent rooting, and we do not need to add any separate medium. When sowing succulent seeds, we can use it. Vermiculite is generally mixed with soil at a ratio of 2:1 before it can be used to promote succulent growth, so pay attention to this amount.

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