Can I Use Cactus Soil for African Violets?- Everything You Need to Know

African Violet is one of the most popular indoor plants among homeowners. Its attractive flower color and beautiful leaves make it a non-replaceable member of any garden. As African Violets are jade plants, they need light, a bit loose, and airy soil. And they are susceptible to soil change.    

If you ask yourself this question ‘Can I use cactus soil for African Violets?’ The answer is yes! You can.

Pot for African Violets requires soil that contains vermiculite, perlite, peat moss, coco coir, and coco peat. And cactus soil has all of these ingredients in perfect ratios. So, you can use cactus soil following some steps for planting your African Violets.

Why Use Cactus Soil for African Violets?

Why Use Cactus Soil for African Violets

Some ingredients in cactus soil make it unique and perfect to use for planting African Violets. Here’s a basic rundown of the core constituents of Cactus Soil.

Peat Moss

Peat moss works as the base of cactus soil which is hard to wet but dries quickly. It is collected from wetlands, where tree trunks, grass, moss, and leaves are underwater.

This ingredient holds moisture and dumps the additional water. It is acidic as its ph level is 3.5 to 4.5 and maintains the soil’s pH level.

Perlite

Perlite does not have any explicit nutritional properties, but it is an essential ingredient for the soil of your African Violets. It is a mineral that is made of volcanic extracts.

The compound comes in the form of white spacks and is a coarse material in cactus soil. To drain off the excess water is the main objective of using perlite. The pH level of perlite is 7.0 to 7.5. It also creates holes in the soil to improve the oxygen flow.

Vermiculite

Vermiculite is a mineral that looks like mica rock. It does not rot or deteriorate. On the other hand, it is very enduring and non-toxic. In general, its pH level is neutral.

This mineral is heated in 2000-degree Ferenhites before mixing with other ingredients. After being heated to a higher temperature, it becomes spongy.

When it is combined with the soil, it creates air channels for better oxygen flow. This helps the plant to grow by maintaining other minerals such as potassium, magnesium, and calcium. 

Coco Coir or Peat

The full form of coco coir is coconut coir which is very similar to peat moss. It is used as a supplement in the cactus soil to maintain the balance of other ingredients. It can hold a large amount of water. Coco peat is better than peat moss because of its higher water retention.

Steps of Using Cactus Soil for African Violets

Here are some steps that you should follow strictly for potting your African Violets with cactus soil.

Can I Use Cactus Soil for African Violets

Step 01 – Buying the Best Cactus Soil

If you do not have enough time to mix your cactus soil, you can always buy them from any local gardening shops or nurseries. There are various types of cactus soil available such as Hoffman cactus and succulent soil mix, Espoma organic cactus mix, etc.

Buying the best cactus soil determines the longevity of your African Violets. Cactus soil has all the nutrients that African Violets require.

Step 02 Choosing the Perfect Pot

You should choose a more shallow flower pot so that the root does not always remain wet because of the stored water on the lower level. Otherwise, your plant will root. You can buy or collect plastic, ceramic, terracotta, or traditional African Violet pots.

Step 03 – Place Hard Objects in the Drainage Hole of the Pot

You should put some hard objects or rocks in the pot’s drainage hole so that the water can drain out well. But do not put too many stones so that the root can not go deeper. It will root the plant too.

Step 04 – Add Extra Plotting Mixtures with Cactus Soil

You can always mix additional potting mixtures with your cactus soil to develop water retention and oxygen flow. Try consulting your local nursery or plant store to get their recommendation.

Step 05 – Plant Your African Violet in the Soil

You can grow an African Violet from a leaf, or you can transplant a whole plant too.

To grow a plant from the leaf, put a leaf into the water for some days. Then wait for some days for it to grow roots. Then you can plant that in the soil.

To plant your African Violet directly, put the soil mixture into the pot first. After that, place your plant precisely in the middle and plant it.

Step 06 – Place It in a Warm and Humid Place

As African Violets are strictly indoor plants, you should place them inside your house, which is warm and humid enough. Don’t forget to keep your plant away from direct sunlight.

Step 07 – Water the Plant Regularly

Remember to water your little friend regularly. African Violets grow better somewhere between dry and moist. So water you plant as soon as the soil feels dry. Under or over-watering will restrict an African Violet from blooming perfectly.

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. How often should I re-pot an African Violet?

    African Violet plants should be re-potted at least twice a year because the nutrients of the cactus soil are provided to go smoothly only for six months.

  2. How can I prepare cactus soil for my African Violets?

    If you wish to prepare cactus soil yourself, then you just have to mix all the necessary ingredients such as perlite, vermiculite, peat moss, and coco choir with organic soil at the perfect ratio.

  3. How can I take good care of my African Violets?

    You just have to provide them with bright but indirect sunlight and water them whenever the soil feels dry. Also, apply fertilizer at a moderate amount and monitor the soil temperature regularly.

Bottom Line

Cactus soil is perfect for your African violets because it improves the water retention and airflow inside the pot. It is also highly nutritious to enhance the growth of your little plant.

So after reading this post, you won’t be saying ‘Can I use cactus soil for African Violets?’ Hope you are now fully prepared to mix your own with cactus soil without any worries. All the best with your home garden!

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Andrew Flintoff

Andrew Flintoff is here! A well-known gardener and a published author. I have dedicated 17 years of my life to gardening and plantation work. to reveal my expertise, I created an online reading store where plant lovers can shop and read A to Z about gardening for FREE. Stay tuned to know more about me.

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