Soil Sense
by The Plant Shop

Soil Sense — Guided soil, soilless, and LECA recipes for aroids and tropicals

Build the right mix. Grow something remarkable.

A guided recipe builder for aroids and tropicals. Pick a family, pick a medium, get a mix calibrated by The Plant Shop in Columbia, MO. Free to use — create an account to save your recipes.

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Free guide

Download the “Pre-made Mixes” Guide — 5 secret soil recipes

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Preview the tool

Tap a family and medium to see a recipe.

This is a live taste of the builder — open the full tool for batch sizing, light targets, and amendment notes.

Family
Open Monstera in builder →
Medium
Monstera · Soil Mixper 1 gal
  • 30%Potting mix
    1.2 qt
  • 25%Orchid bark
    1 qt
  • 20%Perlite
    3.2 cups
  • 10%Pumice
    1.6 cups
  • 10%Worm castings
    1.6 cups
  • 5%Horticultural charcoal
    6.4 fl oz
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Explore our 5 secret mixes
Choose a Pre-made Mix

The Pre-made Mixes collection

The "Aroid Gold" Mix

Best for: Monstera Albo, Thai Constellation, Philodendron Pink Princess

  • Orchid Bark40%
  • Perlite30%
  • Coco Coir20%
  • Charcoal10%

The "Alocasia Rescue" Mix

Best for: Alocasia Frydek, Silver Dragon, Black Velvet

  • Pumice40%
  • Orchid Bark30%
  • Perlite20%
  • Charcoal10%

The "Hoya Heaven" Mix

Best for: Hoya Carnosa, Carry, Obovata

  • Orchid Bark50%
  • Perlite30%
  • Coco Coir10%
  • Pumice10%

The "Moisture Master" Mix

Best for: Calathea, Begonia, Anthurium

  • Coco Coir40%
  • Perlite30%
  • Sphagnum Moss20%
  • Earthworm Castings10%

The "Succulent Stone" Mix

Best for: Sansevieria, Aloe, Cacti

  • Pumice50%
  • Perlite30%
  • Gritty Sand20%
What's inside
Plant families

Tuned recipes for 10 families: Monstera, Philodendron, Pothos / Epipremnum, Alocasia, Anthurium, Syngonium / Arrowhead, Ficus, Hoya / Wax Plant, Calathea / Prayer Plant, and Begonia.

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Three mediums

Soil Mix · Soilless / Coco Coir · LECA · Lechuza Pon. From classic aroid mix to fully soilless.

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Saved recipes

Create a free account to save mixes and revisit your history any time.

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Amendments guide

Tier-ranked amendments and fertilizers with preferred brands and direct buy links — so you always know what to reach for.

View guide →
Supplements

Root stimulators, bio-stimulants, vitamins, and mycorrhizae for stress and recovery — separate from fertilizer.

See supplements →
Pot guide

A pot sizing calculator, step-by-step repotting walkthrough, and a tier list of the best clear pots.

Open the guide →