Succulents and Acid Soil

TheGardenLady received this question from Vincent.

Do succulents like acid soil….specifically coffee grounds added to the soil?

You do not tell me which succulents you are interested in growing nor whether your succulents are potted house plants or outdoor, garden grown, plants. In containers, the plants are in smaller amounts of soil so one has to be a little more careful with the soil pH than if grown in your garden or in a field.

It also depends on the type of succulent you are growing. Succulents need the pH of the soil where the succulent originated – that is, its original habitat in the wild. If the succulent came from an alkaline area, like Ariocarpus fissuratus Living rocks which comes from Mexico – it will want alkaline soil. If it is in the Echevierias family – Hens and chicks – it hates lime.  See here.

Most succulents are grown succussfully in a neutral soil pH. Good drainage is of primary importance so a porous soil is needed.

TheGardenLady would not recommend adding coffee grounds to the soil without knowing which succulent you are growing.