Library
A good mix holds moisture and air in the right balance for your case climate. Explore ingredients, then tune a preset in the mixer.
Interactive
Presets
A forgiving beginner recipe: moisture-holding base with enough bark and charcoal to keep roots breathing in a sealed case.
Mix by parts at the bench — like 2 parts bark to 1 part charcoal.
Bench recipe
Clear enough to measure into a tub — start with a small batch.
Ingredients
A balanced tropical blend foundation used in many bioactive builds.
structure · root-anchoring · humidity
Prep: Buy as a pre-mix or assemble from bark, tree fern fibre ideas, charcoal, and a moisture base. Moisten before use.
Holds moisture and softens mixes for humidity-loving plants.
moisture · cushioning
Prep: Hydrate long-fibre sphagnum, then squeeze until damp. Chop lightly for mixes; keep longer strands for nesting roots.
Adds air pockets so roots can breathe in humid cases.
aeration · structure
Prep: Rinse dust, discard splinters, and use medium grade for most jars. Pre-soak briefly if bone dry.
Helps freshness and drainage in sealed environments.
freshness · drainage
Prep: Use horticultural or aquarium charcoal, not barbecue briquettes. Rinse black dust so glass stays clear.
Sustainable peat alternative with spongy moisture control.
moisture · base
Prep: Hydrate bricks in clean water, rinse if salty, and squeeze to a damp sponge before measuring.
Springy fibre that keeps mixes open and root-friendly.
aeration · root-anchoring
Prep: Tease apart compressed fibre and moisten lightly so it blends without clumping.
Improves drainage in open and arid-leaning arrangements.
drainage · weight
Prep: Use horticultural or aquarium coarse sand. Rinse until water runs clear.
Lightweight mineral grit for lasting drainage.
drainage · aeration
Prep: Rinse dust. Mix through arid or tropical recipes for lasting air pockets.
Feeds cleanup crews and softens the forest-floor look.
bioactive · aesthetics
Prep: Use pesticide-free leaves; oak and beech are popular. Dry and store clean, then remoisten in the case.
Optional false bottom layer for vessels without drainage holes.
drainage-layer
Prep: Rinse LECA or clay balls thoroughly. Use under mesh as a false bottom, not mixed heavily into the root zone.
Gentle organic nutrition — use sparingly in sealed systems.
nutrition · soil-life
Prep: Sieve and add a thin portion (often under 10%) into plant mixes. Moisten with the rest of the blend.
Porous mineral chunks for drainage layers and arid accents.
drainage · aeration
Prep: Rinse dust thoroughly. Use in drainage layers or as hardscape accents.
Traditional moisture holder — consider coir first for sustainability.
moisture · acidity
Prep: Hydrate fully before mixing; dry peat sheds water at first.
Minor additive sometimes used in bioactive recipes for calcium support.
mineral · fauna-support
Prep: Use only tiny amounts mixed evenly — this is not a primary substrate.
Dark, broken-down leaves that feed microfauna quickly.
bioactive · nutrition-for-fauna
Prep: Collect or buy dark, broken-down leaves free of chemicals. Crumble lightly over the substrate surface.
Chunky coir pieces that add air while holding some moisture.
aeration · moisture
Prep: Hydrate and rinse like coir. Use as a chunkier aeration component alongside finer moisture holders.
Japanese clay granule used in specialist mixes — optional advanced texture.
structure · moisture
Prep: Sieve to grade, dust off fines, and moisten before mixing. Replace eventually as it breaks down.