As the days get longer and everything starts to grow again, it’s officially repotting season! Whether your Monstera is bursting out of its pot or your baby plants are ready to size up, now’s the perfect time to give your houseplants a fresh start—and that begins with the right soil.
At Plant Studio, we don’t believe in one-size-fits-all when it comes to soil. Every plant has its quirks, and our hand-blended houseplant soil mixes are designed to match them. But here’s the secret: while most mixes can work for most houseplants, the real difference comes down to how you water.
Put a fern in an aroid mix, and you’ll be watering it constantly. Pop a succulent in our Thirst Trap mix, and you’ll have root rot before you know it if you're not careful with your watering. The right soil helps create the right rhythm, so you’re not constantly playing catch-up or risking overwatering.
Here’s a breakdown of our signature mixes and how to use them.
The Airy Aroid
For Monsteras, Philodendrons, Anthuriums & Alocasias, Bird of Paradise, Pothos
A chunky, breathable mix designed to replicate the forest floor. It’s full of coco husk, coir, and drainage-boosting bits that let roots breathe and keep rot at bay. Great for aroids—but honestly? Loads of plants love this mix. Just be sure you’re on top of watering if you use it for thirstier types.
Savvy Succa
For Succulents & Cacti
Fast-draining, sandy, and low in organics—this is the desert-lover’s dream. Your succulents won’t be sitting in moisture, which is key to preventing mushy roots. If you use this for a thirstier plant, you’ll need to water more often and monitor closely.
Thirst Trap
For ferns, Calatheas & other moisture-lovers
Rich, moisture-retentive, and full of organic matter to keep roots hydrated. This one’s for plants that don’t like drying out, like Calatheas, ferns, and peace lilies. Not ideal for desert dwellers unless you're very cautious with watering.
A Sandy Loam
For plants with finer roots and semi-succulent types
This mix is perfect for those in-between plants—the ones that like to dry out a bit between waterings but aren’t full-blown succulents. Think Ficus, Peperomia, Dracaena, Pachira and other houseplants with finer, more delicate root systems.
A Sandy Loam offers light structure, fast drainage, and a touch of organic content, giving these plants the balance they need. It’s especially useful if you’re not sure whether your plant prefers something chunky or more moisture-holding—this mix sits comfortably in the middle.
A Basic Base
A great all-rounder and our most nutrient-rich mix
A Basic Base is exactly what it sounds like—a reliable, ready-to-use mix that works well for most houseplants. It’s also our most nutrient-rich blend, making it ideal for giving your plants a boost straight out of the bag.
Use it on its own for general potting, or as a starting point if you like to customise your own mix. Add bark for chunkier roots or grit for extra drainage—it’s a flexible foundation for plant parents who like options.
Terrarium Mix
Designed for closed terrariums and moisture-loving mini plants
Our Terrarium Mix is a fine-textured, moisture-retentive blend made for the humid, enclosed world of terrariums. It supports small-rooted plants that thrive in consistently damp conditions, like ferns, mosses, fittonia, peperomia, and other mini jungle dwellers.
With excellent structure for airflow and just the right amount of water-holding capacity, this mix helps prevent soggy roots and mould issues inside glass containers.
Super Chonk
For orchids, aroids, and other epiphytes
This ultra-chunky mix is all about airflow. Made with large bark pieces and coarse materials, it’s perfect for plants that naturally grow on trees or in the crooks of branches—think orchids, epiphytic aroids, and other humidity-loving climbers.
You can use Super Chonk in place of our Airy Aroid mix if your plant lives in a humid environment (like a terrarium or vivarium), or if you’re the kind of plant parent who tends to water a bit more often. It drains fast and keeps roots happy without ever getting soggy.
Not Sure What Mix to Use? Look at the Roots.
If you’re unsure which soil is right, take a peek at your plant’s roots:
Chunky, thick roots? That usually means it prefers a chunky, airy mix—like our Airy Aroid or Super Chonk
Fine, wiry roots? These often do best in mixes like Sandy Loam that dry out a bit faster
Delicate, dense roots with lots of hair-like strands? These are often jungle-floor dwellers and will thrive in moisture-holding blends like Thirst Trap
Still stuck? Pop in and ask—we love a good soil chat.
Repotting Tips for Spring
Spring and early summer are the best times to repot—plants are actively growing and bounce back faster
Choose a pot just 1–2 inches larger than the current one
Loosen roots gently if they’re circling the pot
Always use fresh, high-quality soil (your plant deserves it!)
Water well after repotting, then wait until the soil begins to dry before watering again
Shop our full range of houseplant soil mixes here
Available in 1L, 3L, and 10L bags for projects big or small.
Got questions? Drop us a message or stop by the shop—we’re here to help your plants put down roots (literally).