Different plants have different soil needs. Tropical plants need moist soil that’s well drained, while succulents need extremely well draining soil that dries out quickly. Unfortunately, plants from big box stores tend to all be planted in the same low grade potting mix. They can survive in it while under perfect conditions (think greenhouse with lights, fans, and humidity) but absolutely need to have the proper soil once they come into our homes.
Some people will tell you not to immediately repot a new plant when you bring it home due to stress. They recommend letting the plant acclimate for a couple weeks before repotting. However, I’ve been repotting all my plants to their individualized soil mixes as soon as I walk in the door. This also lets me check for any pests that might have hitched a ride. I do NOT have the time to treat bugs on over 200 plants!
I’ll update with new mixes once I’ve tried them myself with success!
Aroid Mix: 3 parts potting soil, 2 parts peat, 4 parts bark, 1 part perlite
Hoya Mix: Equal parts cactus mix, fine orchid bark, perlite
Ficus Elastica Mix: Equal parts peat or soil, pine bark, coarse sand or perlite.
Dracaena Mix: Equal parts soil, fine bark chips, peat, and perlite.
Money Tree Mix: Equal parts soil, orchid bark, and cactus soil.
Schefflera Mix: 2 parts peat, 1 part compost, 1 part perlite.
Prayer Plant Mix: 5 parts soil, 2 parts orchid bark, 2 parts charcoal, 1 part perlite.
Syngonium Mix: Equal parts soil, fine orchid bark, peat.
Croton Mix: 3 parts soil (w/ peat), 2 parts fine pine bark, 1 part perlite or horticultural sand.
Peperomia Mix: 2 parts Succulent soil, 1 part orchid bark, 1 part peat.
Holiday Cactus Mix: Equal parts coco coir, peat moss, perlite, orchid bark.
Alocasia Mix: 1 part orchid bark, 1 part potting mix, 1 part peat moss, 1/4 part perlite or vermiculite.