DIY Aroid Potting Mix for Monstera, Philodendron and Pothos
Quick answer: A practical beginner aroid mix uses three functions: a base that holds moisture, perlite that adds pore space, and bark that adds larger structural air pockets.
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Simple building blocks
- Miracle-Gro Tropical Potting Mix (paid link)
- Espoma Organic Perlite (paid link)
- Better-Gro orchid bark (paid link)
Start with a flexible recipe
Try roughly two parts tropical potting mix, one part perlite, and one part orchid bark, then adjust based on how quickly your pots dry. This is a starting point, not a universal formula.
Add more aeration when
- Your home is cool or humid
- Your pots stay wet for many days
- You use deep containers
- Your plants are in lower light
Retain more moisture when
If the mix dries almost immediately in a warm, bright room, use slightly more potting base and less coarse material.
Why aroids like structure
Large aroid roots perform best when water and oxygen can both move through the container. Dense compressed soil can stay wet too long around the root system.
FAQ
Do I need charcoal or pumice too?
No. They can be useful, but a good mix does not need ten ingredients.