When growing flowers indoors, you need to carefully take care of green pets, so that they feel as comfortable as possible in the room. It is advisable to create conditions close to the natural habitat. To do this, you will need to maintain the temperature regime in the room, air humidity, as well as select the right soil for plants, which would combine exactly those qualities that are needed for this particular flower or shrub. Although in flower shops you can find bags with universal planting material that will suit most green pets. About what land is needed for planting indoor plants and how to correctly classify the types of substrates, read in our article.
Types and characteristics
Soil for indoor flowers can be purchased at any modern flower shop. They present a large assortment of land for planting home and street shrubs, flowers, vines and so on. Thinking about how to choose the soil for indoor plants? The type of substrate is of great importance for the proper cultivation of flowers. Each of them has its own characteristics and unique composition.
Heavy soil
This type of soil is best suited for growing large plants with a developed root system located at great depths. Among such representatives, clivia, dracaena and palm trees are most often found. As a rule, this garden mix is prepared from three components:
- 5 parts of soddy soil;
- 1 part coarse sand;
- 1 part humus.
Knowing the preferences of indoor flowers regarding the quality and composition of the substrate, it can be prepared at home. All components are procured independently or purchased at any specialized store.
Medium Soil
Most representatives of indoor plants prefer this type of soil, since its composition is optimally balanced. Such a soil mixture can be made of the following components:
- 1 part peat;
- 1 part of sand;
- 2 parts of humus;
- 2 parts of turf land.
If you decide to prepare the substrate and soil for plants with your own hands, then it is worth noting that all the components must be of proper quality. All proportions should also be correctly observed, because with the slightest mistake, the root system of a pet can be affected by rot, which will be almost impossible to get rid of.
Light ground
This soil is best suited for growing small flowers that have a superficial root system. Among the popular representatives: gloxinia, cyclamen, begonia and aloe. Also, such a substrate can be successfully used for growing seedlings and rooting cuttings. With a standard cooking scheme, the following elements must be mixed:
- 1 part of sand;
- 1 part humus;
- 1 part of sheet land;
- 3 parts of peat.
Before connecting all the components, it is recommended to sift the earth from foreign bodies. Otherwise, small stones and twigs will interfere with the proper development of the root system. Remember that the soil must be clean, airy and loose.
Substrate structure
The soil characteristics for indoor plants include two main parameters that should be paid attention in the first place - acidity and structure. The composition of the purchased substrates can be very different. It is simply impossible to determine by eye whether the contents of the packages correspond to the composition indicated on the package. In this regard, when assessing the quality of the proposed substrate, it is necessary to focus on easily recognizable and always visible characteristics, for example, the presence or absence of a structure.
The land for indoor plants (flowers, vines, shrubs, etc.) should have a pronounced structure, that is, the presence of some rough texture, heterogeneity and lumps. This can be easily checked by touching the bag with the substrate with your hands. In such a soil, plants will never suffer from dry “layers” that form on the surface of a flowerpot as a result of drying out of the soil. In a land with a pronounced structurality, moisture will be evenly distributed and held in any part of the substrate. It also retains its breathability even several years after planting, since the upper layers of the soil are not corroded and compacted. At the same time, substrates having too homogeneous composition are more prone to acidification, as well as uneven distribution and retention of moisture.
Soil acidity
Determining the composition of the soil for indoor plants is not so difficult, but what about acidity? Even in universal substrates, this parameter must be indicated on the package with the ground, since most indoor crops have their own individual characteristics, which are by no means uniform according to the requirement for soil reaction. Of course, most plants will feel great in a neutral environment, but there are representatives who develop exclusively in soil with an alkaline or slightly alkaline reaction, as well as species that need an acidic environment.
For indoor flowers, the average acidity value is 6.0 on the pH scale (neutral medium). Soils with an index of 7.0 and higher are alkaline or calcareous, and substrates with a pH of 5.5 or lower are considered weakly acidic and acidic.
Very few houseplants prefer alkaline soil. Among the brightest representatives: chlorophytum, ophiopogon, calceolaria and bluebells.
Soil for indoor plants and flowers with a reaction of 5.5 pH will be optimal for cyclamen, cestrum, sansevier, pittosporum, pachyphytus, ferns, acidic, dieffenbachia, cypress, cordilina, calla, camellia, gerbera, alocasia, acalifa and others. A substrate with a pH value of 4.0 to 5.0 is preferably used for bergerantus, hydrangea, zouphorbia, oscularia, ceropegia, rhododendron, etc.
In the description of any houseplant, in addition to the transplant strategy, as well as the optimal conditions of detention, one can find both the preferred composition and structure of the soil. If you decide to determine what composition of the earth is better for flowers, then you should not dwell on the "average" option, since for each pet you need to choose your substrate, based on the individual preferences of this plant. Of course, most cultures will prefer a nutritious, loose and universal type of substrate with a neutral environment, however, in indoor collections species are often found for which such soil will be destructive.
Universal soil
When choosing the soil for plant composition, it is necessary to pay attention not only to the acidity indicator, which must be indicated on the package, but also to the suitability of the substrate for a certain type of plant - in most cases, the list of crops will also be given on the package with planting material. Also, do not forget that you can get advice on the suitability of a particular type of soil from a sales assistant who will help you make your choice.
A single, or universal, complex earthen mixture is found on sale most often. Manufacturers can name it whatever they want - from the usual "ground" to smart brand names. This soil is considered suitable for various plant groups due to its "average" characteristics. Most unpretentious indoor crops that do not require special care will live in it with great joy.
Special types of substrates
Special substrates are soil mixtures designed and selected for a specific family, species or type of indoor plants. A distinctive feature of such soil is its narrow focus. These earthen mixtures differ from universal ones not only in their structure and acidity, but also in various degrees of nutrition, which is achieved thanks to additional additives in the form of sphagnum or pine bark. Such compositions are always better than universal ones, since they really satisfy all the needs of indoor crops. However, it will be extremely difficult to choose this type of substrate, so first you need to familiarize yourself with the information about the plant itself.
Special substrate types include:
- soil for violets;
- soil for growing indoor roses;
- substrate for tubular, jasmine, citrus;
- soil for palm trees (in rare cases, you can find separate mixtures for dracaena and yucca);
- soil for succulents and cacti;
- earth mixes for decorative and deciduous and decorative flowering plants.
Moreover, the finished soil for plants of a narrow specialization is perfect for representatives who are similar in soil requirements. For example, in the soil for violets almost all gesneriae will feel fine, and the soil for yucca or dracaena will also be suitable for hibiscus. But orchid soil is a highly specialized substrate that can only be used under orchids.
Composition and components
Now you know about the types of soil for plants. It is time to talk about the components that this or that mixture includes. The reaction of the soil will also vary depending on its composition. Such information will be especially useful for those who want to prepare the substrate at home.
Turf land
The result of overheating of sod layers is quite nutritious soil. To prepare the substrate, you need to pile the grass in a pile, and then cover it with a layer of cow manure. It remains only to wait until this "pie" perepreet. The substrate is used for planting plants that prefer acidic soils, as turf soil has an acidity of 5 to 6 pH. In order to reduce the reaction, as well as to give the substrate a looser structure, the turf soil is often mixed with other types of soil, as well as sand or clay.
Sheet earth
Perhaps the lightest and friable soil for plants. A mixture of substrate, in which there is sheet soil, perfectly passes water and air to the root system, but its nutritional value is at an average level, since such planting material is obtained as a result of decaying of simple leaves from deciduous trees. They are harvested in autumn in small heaps and left for a period of one to two years. So that the process of over-ripening goes faster, the layers of the heap must be constantly watered and turned over. Leafy ground can be used to enhance the acid reaction.
Peat land
This land is distinguished from others by its special lightness and friability. It is it that is most often used to improve the overall soil composition. Peat mix provides mineral balance for any soil mix. They get it exclusively from peat, which passed a period of decay at least a year ago. In gardening, horseback is most often used, and less often - dark transitional peat, which has an acidity of 3.5 to 5.5 pH. If the mixture contains peat, then you should definitely see fibrous reddish pieces in it. Such soil is best suited for growing young seedlings, especially all aroid ones. Ferns and philodendrons can live in pure peat. However, in order for the soil to better pass water and air, it is recommended to mix it with other types of land.
Coniferous land
This kind of acidic light earth is perfect for growing flowering indoor plants, such as azaleas and anthuriums. The soil is the top layer of litter taken from their coniferous forest (usually pine). If you decide to prepare the soil for the plants yourself, then you should know that you do not need to remove the layer from the very top, since there are many non-ripened needles. It is best to use the bottom layer, which is at a depth of 20 centimeters. This is a fairly loose earth with a reaction of 4 to 5 pH.
Compost or humus
Quite saturated and rich in active substances land, which is very aggressive in its pure form. If you decide to add pure humus to the substrate, then you risk damaging the root system of the plants (it simply burns out). So this kind of soil should be mixed with other types of land. To obtain compost, it is best to use spent greenhouse manure, which decomposes within 2-3 years. Its pH acidity is around 8.0 units.
Sand
One of the most important components for many earthen mixtures. Although many people say that nothing can be grown in the sand, you will not be able to do completely without it in home gardening. For planting plants, exclusively river white sand is used. Before use, it must be thoroughly washed, calcined, and also disinfected.
Bark
In most cases, flower growers use exclusively pine bark. It can be collected right in the forest. For disinfection and softening, the material is boiled for 30 minutes in boiling water, after which it is cut into small pieces. The bark will give the substrate good water permeability as well as lightness. It will also provide an acid reaction for the mixture (4-4.5 pH). Pine bark is also used to make soil for plants more loose. This property is especially required by aroid, ferns and most of all - orchids.
Sphagnum (Moss)
This is an indispensable component of the soil mixture for epiphytic plants. Moss is used to give the soil lightness, friability, hygroscopicity. However, before use, it must be well dried, and then rubbed into powder. Sphagnum will give an acid reaction in the region of 4 pH. Also, moss is perfect for covering the aerial roots that are on the trunks of some plants, so that they do not dry out and freeze. Buried bends (when propagating) are also better covered with fresh moss.
The information in the article will help you to properly prepare the soil for your pets and answer the question about what kind of land is needed for planting indoor flowers. Remember that not all cultures prefer to "live" in universal soil, so before transplanting, it is better to consult a specialist in a flower shop or find information in the relevant literature.