Can You Reuse Cactus Soil For Other Types Of Plants And Flowers? Here's What We Know

Cacti are tolerant to drought and hard to kill, making them ideal for aspiring gardeners whose thumbs are more black than green. But for them to thrive, they require a special kind of soil. Cactus soil is faster-draining than regular potting soil and contains inorganic materials like coarse sand, pumice, gravel, grit, and perlite to prevent the plants from becoming waterlogged.

Regular potting soil, on the other hand, contains higher levels of organic materials, like compost, peat moss, and vermiculite, which helps the soil retain moisture. Using this soil for cacti can waterlog the plant's roots, causing root rot and fungal disease, which can be deadly.

Because of its unique composition, cactus soil isn't suitable for most other types of plants and flowers. However, in a pinch, you can mix cactus soil with organic ingredients like peat moss, compost, or regular potting soil and use it for your herbs, veggies, or houseplants. Using plain cactus soil for plants other than cacti or succulents can cause them to wither and die from a lack of moisture — but it's possible to modify cactus soil for other plants if you don't have the right soil on-hand. Just like you can amend potting soil for garden plants, you can modify cactus soil for other types of plants.

Before modifying cactus soil for herbs, veggies, or other plants, research the best soil type for the specific plant, as not all plants require the same level of moisture and drainage. Vegetables, for example, prefer loamy soil that contains a mixture of sand, silt, and clay. 

You can also use cactus soil for some succulents. While all cacti are types of succulents, not all succulents are types of cacti. However, all succulents require well-draining soil to thrive — and many potted succulents are planted in organic soil that retains water and damages their roots. When you bring a new succulent into your home, repot it with cactus soil within two weeks to give it the best chance of survival.

Other plants that are native to the desert and other dry regions, like agave, aloe, and yucca, can use unmodified cactus soil. In a pinch, cactus soil may also be suitable for other drought-tolerant plants.