Choosing the Right Indoor Plant Soil: Premium vs Chunky Aroid Mix
Updated: Sep 27
One of the questions we get asked most often in store is:
“What soil should I use for my indoor plants?”
The answer usually depends less on the name of the plant and more on how much moisture it prefers, how quickly you tend to water and how much airflow you want around the roots.
At Rays Retail Nursery, we make two main indoor plant mixes: our Premium Aroid Mix and our Chunky Premium Aroid Mix.
Both are designed to give indoor plant roots better drainage and airflow than dense traditional potting soil, but they behave quite differently once watered.
Why does indoor plant soil matter?
Indoor plants are growing in a very different environment to plants in the ground outside.
A pot has limited space, limited airflow and nowhere for excess water to go unless the growing medium drains properly.
Dense soil can remain wet for too long, particularly in lower-light areas where plants are growing more slowly and using less water.
A good indoor plant mix should hold enough moisture for the roots to use while still allowing excess water to drain and air to move through the root zone.
Our Premium Aroid Mix is the finer of our two blends.
It is made from:
Coco peat
Type 1 perlite
Fine bark chips
Atlantic Fertilisers Bio Rock Root Builder
The finer texture holds moisture for longer while still remaining light and well aerated.
We generally recommend this mix for plants that prefer more consistent moisture or for situations where a very chunky mix would dry out too quickly.
It works particularly well for plants such as Calatheas, Marantas, Fittonias and other indoor plants that do not want to remain completely dry for extended periods.
Our Chunky Premium Aroid Mix is much more open and free-draining.
It is made from:
Coco chips
Type 2 perlite
Bark
Atlantic Fertilisers Bio Rock Root Builder
The larger particles create more air spaces around the roots and allow water to move through the pot more quickly.
This makes it a great option for established indoor plants, larger aroids and anyone who tends to be a little heavy-handed with the watering can.
We regularly use it for plants such as Monstera, Philodendron, Alocasia, Anthurium and other plants that appreciate an airy root zone.
Premium or Chunky: which one should I choose?
An easy way to think about it is:
Premium Aroid Mix = more moisture retention
Chunky Premium Aroid Mix = more airflow and faster drainage
Neither is automatically “better”. It depends on the plant and how you care for it.
If your plants tend to dry out very quickly, the finer Premium Aroid Mix may suit you better.
If you regularly struggle with soil staying wet for too long, the Chunky Premium Aroid Mix gives you a little more breathing room.
Both of our mixes contain Atlantic Fertilisers Bio Rock Root Builder.
It is a mineral-rich plant starter containing a broad range of nutrients and is designed to support healthy root development.
We use it as a modern alternative to traditional bonemeal when preparing our soil blends and when repotting plants.
Healthy roots are especially important after repotting, when the plant is settling into a new growing medium and beginning to establish itself again.
Can I customise the mixes?
Absolutely.
One of the reasons we stock individual soil amendments is that no single mix needs to work exactly the same way for every plant.
If you want more moisture retention, you can add a small amount of Vermiculite.
If you want more drainage and airflow, Perlite, Pumice, Crushed LECA or Crushed Lava Rock can be added.
BioChar can also be incorporated where you want additional structure and support for a healthy soil environment.
This allows you to adjust the growing medium rather than trying to force every plant into exactly the same soil.
What about repotting?
If you are unsure which mix your plant needs, you are welcome to bring it into Rays Retail Nursery.
We can assess the plant, look at the existing root system and help determine whether it needs a larger pot, a different growing medium or simply a refresh.
Our repotting service is available in store, with charges based on the soil and any new pot required.
Rays Says
"There is no single perfect soil for every indoor plant.
The best mix is the one that gives the roots enough moisture without staying wet for too long.
If you are a chronic overwaterer, go chunkier.
If your plants dry out too quickly or prefer more consistent moisture, choose the finer mix.
And if you are still unsure, bring us the plant. We would rather help you choose the right mix than send you home with something that does not suit how you actually care for it."
Comments