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Terrarium Potting Mixes

Whether you're making a Tropical Desert, or Carnivorous themed terrarium, we've got you covered with our top-quality compost & FREE UK Delivery! 'Tropical' Terrariums are those that use leafy houseplants like Ivy, miniature Palms, Peace Lilies, whereas 'Desert' terrariums are for Cacti & Succulent displays. 'Carnivorous' terrariums are for insect-eating plants. Select your soil-type & size and we'll get to work! 🪴 💥 Premixed with ACTIVATED CHARCOAL to keep the soil healthy and reduce the risk of root rot, which also means you won't have to spend extra on getting it yourself!! 💥

£5.75 
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Compost in Litres: *
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Information

Our handcrafted, peat-free soil mix comes in a resealable bag, meaning that you can always use it later if you have too much. It'll also stay fresh for at least twelve months once opened, so never worry about it going off shortly after purchase! We formulate the soil ourselves and keep it in quarantine for at least 14 days to ensure there are no soil-borne pests like Fungus Gnats! We take Sundays & Mondays off, so our working/dispatch days are from Tuesday - Saturday.


Quick Facts

  • Free Delivery (Within 3 - 5 working days, U.K. postage only)
  • Peat-free & eco-friendly packaging.
  • Well structured soil that uses key ingredients like perlite, grit & Activated Charcoal for a strong root system & better drainage.
  • A choice of either Desert, Tropical or Carnivorous terrarium soil.
  • Comes in a resealable bag to keep the compost fresh for at least twelve months.
  • Includes a 50% off voucher for a 1-1 Plant-Advice Call! (Via email).



Sizes

Don't know the size of your terrarium? Have a look at the second image above to determine if yours is a small, medium or large terrarium! Most Terrariums can hold around 4L of potting mix, but those that are larger or deeper will most likely need to opt for the 10L option. You can always send us a message/email with a photo of your terrarium or container to get our expert opinion on the perfect amount. 🪴 

Size (Litres)Ideal for...
1LSmall to Very Small Terrariums
4LMedium / Average Sized Terrariums
10LLarge Terrariums
15LVery Large Terrariums, or Various Smaller Terrariums




Which Soil Do I Need?

Our Terrarium Compost has three variants, that are different in drainage and water-retention ability.

'Tropical Terrarium' Soil
If you're looking to create a leafy, exotic-looking terrarium, we recommend using 'Tropical' soil. This will provide the perfect blend of water retention and drainage to promote healthy growth, topped off with 'perlite' that'll add oxygen back into the compost for stronger root development. 

'Desert Terrarium' Soil
This compost is best suited for those who want to make a desert-themed display with Cacti & Succulents. Our soil comes packed with goodness that promotes drainages and will help reduce the risk of over-watering, like grit, sand and perlite.

'Carnivorous Terrarium' Soil

All Carnivorous species need specialist soil to survive. Ordinary composts will quickly cause root burn, quickly translating into yellowed foliage and even death. Our 'Carnivorous Terrarium' soil has the perfect blend to promote healthier foliage and stronger root systems. 


Not sure which plants are best for your themed terrarium? Visit FAQs to see our definitive list of suitable plants for each type of display! (Or, send us a message with the plants you're interested in & we'll point you in the right direction!


Improve Your Terrarium Game

If you're interested in decorating the Terrarium with Grit, Sand or Decorative Stones, scroll down to the bottom of this page to add them to your order!

As the following list is rather long, if you're unsure with the ideal compost for your houseplant don't hesitate to send us an email! 😊

Tropical Terrariums 

Tropical Plants to Add Height to the Terrarium
  • Bromeliads - Tillandsia (Air Plants & Terrestrial Species), Billbergia, Bromelia & Vrisea.
  • Crotons
  • Ferns - Boston, Dryopteris, Maidenhair (Adiantum) & Rabbit Foot Ferns
  • Moonlight Valley Plant - Pilea mollis & P. involucrata
  • Parlour Palms - Chamaedorea elegans
  • Senecio cephalophorus
  • Syngonium

Tropical Ground-Cover Plants
  • Baby Tears - Soleirolia or Helexine
  • Callisia - Turtle Vines
  • Fittonia - Nerve Plants
  • Maidenhair Vines - Meuhlenbeckia
  • Sagina - Irish Moss or Pearlworts
  • Sphagnum - Peat Moss
  • Tradescantia - Inch Plants or Wondering Jews
N. B. - Although Spider Plants are a great candidate for a tropical display, they'll quickly out-grow their surroundings within the following months.



Desert Terrariums

  • Aloe Vera 
  • Desert Cacti
  • Elephant's Bush - Portulacaria afra
  • Euphorbia trigona - African Milk Bush
  • Jade Plants / Money Trees
  • Lithops - Livingstones
  • Pachypodium - Madagascan Palms
  • Ponytail Palms - Beaucarnia or Nolina
  • Rhipsalis baccifera - Mistletoe Cactus
  • Sansevieria - Mother-In-Law's Tongue / Snake Plant, Rocket Plants & African Spears
  • String of Pearls, Bananas or Dolphins
  • Most Succulents - Aloe, Crassula, Curio, Echeveria, Euphorbia, Gasteria, Haworthia, Portulacaria afra, Sedum, Sempervivum, Senecio, etc.

Note:
Like saving money, time and confusion? Why not purchase our 'Terrarium Kit' that includes the same handcrafted compost you see here, decorative stones for its drainage, and top-quality activated charcoal to maintain a healthy balance of soil bacteria. All in one box with FREE delivery!

  • Combine the Right Plants: Never rush into buying every small plant that you see at a store. Always decide on whether you're going to create a Desert or Tropical themed display. Combining a desert-dweller with a moisture-loving specimen will serve nothing but grief for both parties, as one will either be under or over-watered. 
  • Successful terrariums require good drainage, so make sure you have a basal layer of stones, a thin layer of 'Activated Charcoal' and the correct potting mix. (Desert-themed displays need 'Cactus' labelled soil, whereas tropical displays need 'Houseplant' compost).
  • Need to purchase the stones and activated charcoal, too? Why not buy our 'Terrarium Kit', which will include everything you need to provide the best drainage for your terrarium! (Charcoal, compost, and coloured stones).
  • Maintain bright light. We recommend keeping your Tropical terrarium in a bright windowsill without any direct sun (north or east-facing windows are best). In contrast, Desert-themed displays should at least be exposed to morning or evening sunlight, like a south or west-facing window.
You can always book a 1-1 Video Call with Joe Bagley if you have any queries or questions!
This product comprises individually-sourced components to create our quality potting mix. Its basal component, the peat-free soil, is sourced by a well-established company in southern England that complies with strict garden waste management and production regulations. We then incorporate the perlite, bark and grit to improve the overall soil structure and replicate the ecological habitats of temperature and tropical climates.

All our products include recyclable packaging/materials, with deliveries made to the local Post Office or parcel depot via fully-electric transport. Our commitment is to provide good quality potting mixes to customers without causing harm to the local and wider environment.
All of our composts come in a resealable bag, so never worry about having a little extra left over. Simply enclose the lid and situate it in a dry, dark area away from pets and children. The soil's freshness will last at least twelve months once opened, so it's great for emergency repotting and top-ups.
Unfortunately, our handcrafted composts are only available to those in the U.K., due to E.U. trading laws on plant-based materials. However, if you are in the U.K., expect free delivery and postage within three days of purchase! 
ukhouseplants has a rich history of excellence within the indoor plant community. Its horticulturally-trained founder, Joe Bagley, is a well-known Instagram influencer for all things green, amassing over 55K followers and 5,000+ daily website users with his easy-to-follow tips, tricks and advice. ( @ukhouseplants / ukhouseplants.com ). He has featured on BBC’s Gardeners World and BBC Radio, as well as with working alongside giants like the RHS and Dulux to promote the connection between mental health improvement and houseplants.

His carefully chosen ingredients and attention to detail within each batch of potting mix set his products apart from the rest. All soils are peat-free, handcrafted to order and always pest-free (Fungus Gnats, Soil Mites, etc.). He believes a healthy, functioning root system always starts with a nutritious, well-structured foundation that balances water retention, oxygenation and soil nutrients in perfect harmony. Why not treat your green pal to his top-quality potting mixes; the best sub-terrain companions on the internet? 🪴
Any good compost will only hold a certain volume of water before dripping the excess through the drainage holes. With this in mind, you're most likely going to cause root rot by watering the plant too often instead of the exact amount of water per drink.

Here's an example. It's far better to water the plant 7L in one go once a week, as supposed to 1L per day for the entire week. The roots won't be able to access the oxygen within the soil, which is critical for reducing the development of root rot. Like bubbles in an ocean, the air will rise when the potting mix is wet, so it's essential to allow the soil to dry slightly between drinks to regain the oxygen.

Our Repotting Kits are designed to maximise both the air circulation and soil structure around your plant's roots, meaning that it'll have the very best conditions for optimal growth. Remember not to water the soil too frequently, and your little friend will very much enjoy his new home!

We'll send you a confirmation email with the purchase's receipt, along with a Step-by-Step Guide on repotting your plant. You can then refer to the guide once your compost arrives! 😊
Send us an email via this link to ask any further queries you may have about our potting mixes! 😊

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