Elegant and low-maintenance succulents make ideal houseplants. Cacti are the best-known of these plants. You’ve probably seen cacti used as decorations in places like businesses, hotels, and even weddings, even if you’re not familiar with succulents. Cacti and other succulents thrive only on loamy soil with sized particles.
One of the most common places to find it is in aquarium gravels. Inquiries like “Can I use aquarium gravel for succulents?” are surprisingly common. In order to help you better grasp this concept, we will answer this question and provide some further explanation today.
Therefore, as long as you clean the aquarium gravel thoroughly, you may use it as part of the soil for your succulents without worrying about harming them. Allow me to go into the next paragraphs for further explanation.
Is It Possible to Grow Succulents In Aquarium Gravel?
A better drainage system can be achieved with the use of aquarium gravels, which are colorful, gorgeous chunk particles. Since succulents can’t stand wet soil, using aquarium gravel in a pot, bowl, or other container is an excellent option. This will improve the drainage in your area and also provide some nice ventilation.
The succulent container is more visually appealing because of the aquarium gravel, which comes in a rainbow of hues. If you want to set a particular mood in a room, office, or at work, you can do it by decorating the soil your succulents are planted in.
Aquarium gravel placed at the bottom of a container housing succulents can instantly transform its appearance and give the plant a more robust vibe.
Succulent Pots: Why Use Aquarium Gravels?
Succulents’ widespread appeal stems from the fact that they require less effort to maintain. They function as the household cats of the plant kingdom. They won’t be a bother as long as you keep them fed, watered, and in the sun. However, they pay attention to soil planning.
That’s because they wouldn’t simply be enduring hardship. Soil with large particles and sufficient drainage is ideal for succulents. This protects them from issues as serious as root rot and pest infestation and, ultimately death.
Soil with too much moisture can be harmful to succulents. Aquarium gravel, on the other hand, will provide your succulent’s root system the room it needs to flourish.
What You Need To Know About Aquarium Gravels For Succulents?
As tedious as this may be, it is an essential first step. Don’t rush through the material instead, pay close attention. Succulents should be added to clean gravel in an aquarium. You can’t just toss them in there randomly.
Before putting together your gravels, you should wash them with soap and water, rinse them, and then let them dry. Please allow me to explain why this is the case. The soil and salt particles in aquarium gravels are bad for your succulent. To be safe, just give it a quick wash before using it.
Aquarium Gravels In Succulent Pots: What Are The Pros?
Due to the fact that succulents are so picky about the soil they’re planted in, aquarium gravels come in handy during water shortages. Because of its large particles and lack of shading effects on the soil, it aids in the retention of water flow and reduces soil moisture.
Additionally, the succulent plants’ roots benefit from increased oxygenation. Soil is permeable to air, so it’s easy for air to escape and create a passage for more airborne particles.
As a decorative element, the rainbow gravels are stunning. Different sizes, hues, and styles are available. You can apply them in a wide variety of contexts and achieve satisfying results by combining them in your own unique ways.
Succulent Aquarium Gravel Selection
Before purchasing or collecting gravel for succulents, it’s important to think about and select the right size, color, and type of gravel. Always start with a clean set of gravel. In order to improve drainage and provide more room for the succulent roots to spread out, washing the aquarium gravel can be helpful.
Natural aquarium gravels are preferable to synthetic ones. Those found in nature can be challenging to manipulate. They may be full of dirt, smell bad, and contain a lot of salt. But if you give them a decent washing, they should be OK.
True aquarium gravels aid succulent development. These are some of the considerations you should make while selecting gravel or soil particles for your succulents.
Does Aquarium Gravel Cost a Lot?
Not at all, no. When it comes to the question of cost, they are quite helpful. Aquarium gravel is inexpensive and durable, so a single bag may be used to decorate multiple planters. They are a cheap and reasonable way to decorate your home or office.
What are the effects of aquarium gravel on succulents?
Their reputation as a reliable drainage help for succulents has made them a popular choice. Furthermore, their costs are quite fair. When seeking a fail-safe choice, aquarium gravels are your best bet.
However, natural gravel is preferable to color once. Succulents can be negatively impacted by repeated dyeing because the dye can be broken down by contact with water and enter the roots. Therefore, if you want to err on the side of caution when caring for your succulents, natural aquarium gravels may be the way to go.
When it comes to staying healthy and well cared for, succulents don’t require much assistance from the outside world. Despite being adapted to arid conditions, these plants are extremely picky when it comes to the type of soil they need to grow in.
Conclusion
Succulents are already visually striking plants, but the aquarium gravels give them a whole new dimension. It’s pretty to look at, but it also aids with ventilation and drainage. Soil problems, including root rot to pest infestations, might result from skipping the gravels and bug particles. You may simply avoid that by using aquarium gravels in your succulent garden.