Soil

Some plants prefer to grow in specially adapted soil:

Geraniums thrive in well-drained geranium potting mix. Cacti want a sand mixture that allows water to drain through. Orchids prefer to grow in special orchid soil that keeps their roots moist but not wet.

Plants also require different types of soil depending on whether they’re young seedlings or mature plants:

• Seeds or seedlings benefit from growing in sowing compost. It contains the right balance of nutrients and air, so that tiny roots can easily grow larger.

• Potted plants of virtually all types thrive in potting soil. It’s enriched with nutrients and slightly more compact than sowing compost. This makes it ideal for replanting seedlings.

• Herbs, spices and vegetables should first be sown in sowing compost and then replanted in organic potting soil.

Some plants thrive in less compact soil, so you may need to mix other substances into the soil to make it less compact and improve drainage. Swiss Cheese Plants and Philodendrons are two examples of plants that prefer this type of soil. Mix the soil with one part Leca balls, one part perlite and one part orchid bark.