The Ultimate Aroid Soil Mix (And How to Tweak It)

Overwatering is usually what kills our houseplants. But often, the real problem isn't the watering itself—it's actually the soil. Regular potting mix straight from the bag is simply too dense for things like Monsteras and Alocasias. It holds onto water for way too long and suffocates the roots.

To fix this, you need a "chunky" mix so air can get to the roots even when the soil is wet. This is my go-to recipe for pretty much all my aroids.

My Base Soil Mix Ingredients

I don't follow a strict scientific measurement, but I always mix these five things together in a big bucket:

• Potting Soil: The base that holds the nutrients.
• Orchid Bark: Creates large air pockets so the roots can breathe.
• Perlite: The little white rocks that look like styrofoam. They prevent the soil from compacting and help with drainage.
• Coco Coir: Holds onto a bit of moisture without turning into a soggy mud puddle.
• Sphagnum Moss: Great for adding a bit of extra humidity retention to the mix.

One Size Doesn't Fit All

Even though I use the same base ingredients, I tweak the ratios depending on the plant. A Monstera and an Alocasia might both be aroids, but they have different needs when it comes to drying out.

If you're ever in doubt, it's always safer to make the mix too chunky rather than too dense. You can always water a plant more often, but once the roots rot from sitting in dense, wet mud, it's a massive rescue mission to save it.