Repotting Plants: A Guide on Using Lava Rock and Soil
Repotting plants is an essential gardening task that ensures your green friends continue to thrive. Here's a guide on how to use lava rocks for optimal drainage, promoting healthier roots and better growth.
Lava rocks, with their porous volcanic structure, are ideal for improving drainage and creating a well-aerated environment for plants. To make the most of these benefits, incorporate lava rocks as a well-draining amendment either mixed into the potting soil or placed at the bottom of the pot.
To increase aeration and create channels for excess water to drain efficiently, consider mixing lava rocks into your potting soil. Alternatively, for a more straightforward approach, add a layer (about 1-2 inches) of lava rocks at the bottom of the pot before adding soil, which helps excess water escape and prevents root rot.
Lava rocks are especially beneficial for plants like succulents, cacti, or tropical species that require good drainage. For an even more effective moisture control, you can combine lava rocks with other drainage enhancers like pumice or perlite.
Remember to balance soil, lava rocks, and amendments to create a well-draining but moisture-retentive growing medium. Avoid using too much lava rock alone, as plants still need enough soil volume for nutrients and moisture retention.
When adding the plant to the pot, gently remove it from its old pot, shaking off about a third of the old soil surrounding the plant. Choose the right size and type of lava rocks based on the size of the plants and the type of application. Purchase lava rocks from reputable suppliers specializing in horticultural or landscaping materials.
Lava rocks come in an array of colours and shapes, allowing for decorative purposes. After selecting lava rocks, give them a final rinse to eliminate debris or cleaning agents. Before using them, rinse them under running water and consider sterilizing them for a thorough cleaning.
Spring is usually the best time to repot plants. Signs that indicate it's time to repot include the plant being too big for its pot, roots growing out of drainage holes, water pooling, faster drying out, dry and crumbling soil, slow growth, noticeable salt and mineral buildup, yellowing leaves, and loss of leaves.
By following these steps, you'll provide your plants with better root aeration, less risk of waterlogging, and healthier growth. Happy repotting!
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[2] The Spruce. (2021). How to Use Lava Rock in Your Garden. [online] Available at: https://www.thespruce.com/using-lava-rock-in-gardening-1807656
[3] The Spruce. (2021). How to Repot Plants: 12 Steps (with Pictures). [online] Available at: https://www.thespruce.com/how-to-repot-plants-1398697
[4] The Spruce. (2021). How to Choose the Best Lava Rocks for Your Garden. [online] Available at: https://www.thespruce.com/choosing-lava-rock-for-gardening-1807659
[5] The Spruce. (2021). How to Mix Soil for Container Gardening. [online] Available at: https://www.thespruce.com/how-to-mix-soil-for-container-gardening-1807660
Lava rocks can be effectively mixed into your potting soil to enhance aeration, ensuring a healthier lifestyle for your home-and-garden plants. Throughout container gardening, lava rocks encourage efficient drainage and promote healthier root growth, benefiting a range of plant species like succulents, cacti, and tropical plants.
