Figuring out what kind of soil to use for your plants can be challenging sometimes. Do you want to try using sand to help your soil drain better but don't know if it will work? We did the research to bring you the answer.
Sand is a great way to add drainage to your soil. Not only will sand break up your plant's soil, but it will also help aerate them and prevent root rot.
That said, we don't recommend using too much sand for your plants because of how quickly it can drain water.
As we begin, we will cover all things soil drainage and tag some helpful products. Whether you are starting a succulent garden or need some help with your existing plant's drainage, we've got you covered.
Is Sand Good For Plant Drainage?
Generally, we would say mixing a bit of sand into your plant's soil will improve drainage. Making sure your plants have good-draining soil is super important, especially for those growing water-sensitive plants.
Sand essentially penetrates the soil and creates room for water to run through, thus increasing its drainage capability. Another benefit sand has on soil is aerating it, which is excellent for root development and plant growth.
Is Sand Better Than Dirt For Drainage?
Sand has better drainage than dirt. That said, sand drains water almost too well, which is why we recommend mixing it with dirt for gardening.
In most cases, you can find pre-mixed potting soil with enough sand for drainage and enough dirt to hold onto some of that moisture.
Hoffman Organic Cactus and Succulent Mixed Potting Soil
This pre-mixed potting soil, which contains sand, moss, peat, perlite, and limestone, is 100% organic and comes in a ten-quart bag.
How Can I Make My Soil Drain Better?
If you're struggling with your soil's drainage, adding organic matter to your mix is an easy way to get water moving.
Specifically, compost, manure, and mulch are good options for soil with poor drainage and aren't typically expensive to buy or make.
Another easy way to increase drainage is to mix sand or gravel into your soil to break it up and allow water to move through it.
FibreDust CoCo Mulch
This bag of cocoa mulch expands with water, covers around two cubic feet, increases drainage, is non-toxic, and comes in two sizes.
OUPENG Course Sand Stone Gravel
This bag of gravel is 2.7 pounds, helps with soil drainage, and is 100% natural.
Which Soil Has The Best Drainage?
Generally, sandy loam soil will have the best drainage. Loam is essentially a mixture of clay, sand, and slit, perfect for moving water and keeping your plant's roots healthy.
Of course, regardless of what soil you choose, adding a bit of sand or coarse gravel to your mix will help it to drain water better.
How Much Sand Do I Add To Clay Soil?
For anyone working with clay soil, we recommend adding a 1:1 ratio of sand to clay. Clay soil, in particular, is extremely dense, meaning you need an equal amount of sand in your mix to create good drainage.
That said, adding organic matter like compost will give better results than using only sand, so consider throwing in some of your extra food scraps.
How To Improve Drainage In A Clay Soil Lawn
When it comes to improving drainage in a clay soil lawn, compost is your new best friend. As we covered above, clay soil is dense, meaning it gets wet and soggy when it rains and becomes very hard in dry, hot weather.
Adding organic matter like compost to your clay lawn helps soften it, creates better drainage, and improves overall soil health.
Another way to improve drainage in a clay soil lawn is to use a liquid aerator, which creates temporary pores in the lawn to drain water.
Read more: What To Put In A Compost Pile To Start It Going?
Simple Lawn Solutions Liquid Aerating Soil Loosener
This liquid soil aerator works to loosen clay, covers up to 32,000 square feet, and has good reviews from online customers.
Is Soil Drainage Important?
Although plants need water to grow and survive, they can become too wet and die without good soil drainage.
Especially for desert plants like succulents, having good draining soil is essential to keeping them healthy and root-rot-free.
Importance-wise, we think it's safe to say soil drainage is one of the essential components of gardening and shouldn't ever be ignored.
Regardless of your garden's climate or average rainfall, ensuring its soil has enough drainage to sustain healthy plants is critical.
What Causes Poor Soil Drainage?
Although there are plenty of reasons soil has poor drainage, construction has one of the most significant impacts on its ability to filter water.
Typically, contractors remove multiple layers of soil during a home's construction, which can negatively affect how it will drain water in the future.
Conversely, some soils, like clay, are naturally dense, so many plants can't grow well in them.
Of course, using products like a liquid soil softener/aerator will help reverse the effects of man-made or natural drainage issues and filter out water more efficiently.
Is Sand Or Gravel Better For Drainage?
Between the two, gravel typically drains soil better than sand. Composition-wise, gravel is much larger than sand, which breaks up soil better and reduces the chance of water pooling after heavy rainfall.
Although sand works well to improve soil drainage, it can clump together and retain moisture, which isn't always helpful if your garden is prone to flooding.
What Gravel Is Best For Soil Drainage?
Typically, we recommend using gravel between 1/2 an inch to one inch in size to help with soil drainage.
Of course, using bigger gravel is fine for a manufactured drain system, but smaller sizes are best for mixing right into your soil.
When it comes to gravel type, we think small lava rocks and pea gravel are good options for soil drainage and are usually not very expensive to purchase in bulk.
MIGHTY109 Grey Pea Gravel
This pea gravel comes in a 40-pound bag, has a variety of mixed colors, and is all-natural.
How Do I Add Drainage To Potted Plants?
This is pretty easy to do for anyone who needs to add drainage to their potted plant. To start, make sure your plant's pot has drainage holes at the bottom to filter out excess water.
Next, add sand, gravel, or both to your soil's top and bottom layers. This will help drain extra water from your plant and keep its roots from getting too wet.
8" Self Watering + Self Aerating High Drainage Planter
This eight-inch pot is made of durable plastic. It self-waters for two weeks, has a drainage reservoir, and comes in several sizes/colors.
Do Pots Need Drainage Holes?
Regardless of where a potted plant is, we think it's important to choose one with drainage holes. Without holes at the bottom, your plant will likely get overwatered and develop root issues.
Place a saucer underneath your pot to catch extra water so you don't have to worry about making a mess.
To Wrap It Up
Whether you want to start a succulent garden or have noticed your soil won't drain after it rains, it is essential not to let water build up near your plants.
Sand will help add drainage to your soil and prevent your plants from becoming overwatered.
When it comes to choosing soil, we recommend a sandy loam option for gardening. Another idea to promote good drainage is to use gravel alongside sand to break up dirt and keep water from pooling.
Regardless, make sure to choose potting soil with sand or gravel mixed in, and don't be afraid to use a liquid aerator on thicker clay lawns.
Made it to the end? Check out these helpful related posts below:
Do Ferns Need Drainage? [And How Much Should You Water Them?]
4 Houseplants That Don't Need Drainage [& How To Grow Any Plant With No Draining]