Adjusting TropicSoil™ for Optimal Plant Growth

TropicSoil™ is formulated to provide the perfect base for a wide range of plants, from tropical trees and flowering shrubs to herbs and vegetables. However, each plant has its own specific requirements for optimal growth, such as drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient levels. To help you fine-tune your soil, we’ve developed easy-to-follow adjustment recommendations.

Each adjustment in this guide is measured for 1 cubic foot of TropicSoil™, making it simple for you to tailor the soil to your specific plants. Whether you’re cultivating fruit trees, perennial flowers, or cacti, these adjustments ensure that your plants receive the ideal environment they need to thrive.

By adding key components such as compost, peat moss, fine bark, or rock phosphate, you can create the perfect balance of nutrients and drainage, optimizing growth for everything from drought-tolerant succulents to moisture-loving herbs. Follow this guide to get the most out of your TropicSoil™ and give your plants the best foundation for success.

Best

Fruit Trees: Apples, Pears, Peaches, Plums, Cherries, Citrus Trees, Avocado

  • Adjustment: Add 1/4 cups of compost and 1 cup of Dolomite Lime per cubic foot. This will enhance organic content and maintain a slightly acidic to neutral pH for fruiting.

Nut Trees: Almonds, Walnuts, Pecans

  • Adjustment: Add 1/2T of worm castings per cubic foot to support the nutrient needs of these demanding trees.

Perennial Flowers: Roses, Peonies, Coneflowers, Daylilies, Black-Eyed Susan

  • Adjustment: No adjustment needed, as the base mix provides the necessary nutrients and drainage.

Flowering Shrubs: Hydrangeas, Butterfly Bush, Lilacs, Camellias, Gardenias

  • Adjustment: Add 1/4 cups of peat moss and 1/2 cups of sulfur per cubic foot to lower pH and provide the ideal acidic environment for these shrubs.

Mediterranean Herbs: Rosemary, Thyme, Oregano, Sage, Marjoram

  • Adjustment: Reduce compost by 1/4 cups per cubic foot to create a well-drained, leaner soil, suitable for Mediterranean herbs.

Leafy Greens: Lettuce, Spinach, Kale, Swiss Chard

  • Adjustment: No adjustment needed. The base mix is perfect for leafy greens, providing the right moisture and nutrients.

Fruiting Vegetables: Tomatoes, Peppers, Eggplants

  • Adjustment: Add 2 1/4 cups of rock phosphate per cubic foot to promote strong root systems and enhance fruit development.

Alliums: Onions, Garlic, Shallots

  • Adjustment: No adjustment needed, as they thrive in rich, well-drained soil.

Cacti and Succulents: Echeveria, Sempervivum, Aloe Vera, Agave, Pachyphytum

  • Adjustment: Decrease compost by 1/4 cups and increase fine bark by 1/4 cups per cubic foot to improve drainage and mimic their arid native environments.

Better

Evergreen Trees: Pine, Spruce, Cedar

  • Adjustment: Add 1/4 cups of peat moss and 1/2 cups of sulfur per cubic foot to lower the pH, creating the slightly acidic environment that evergreen trees require.

Ornamental and Shade Trees: Maple, Dogwood, Magnolia, Birch, Willow, Redbud, Tulip Tree

  • Adjustment: No major adjustment needed, but for Magnolia, adding 1/4 cups of peat moss per cubic foot can help lower the pH slightly, supporting healthier growth.

Tropical and Subtropical Trees: Banana, Papaya, Mango, Guava

  • Adjustment: Add 1/4 cups of compost and 1/2T of worm castings per cubic foot to boost organic content for these fast-growing, nutrient-demanding trees.

Pollinator-Friendly Flowers: Lavender, Bee Balm, Salvia

  • Adjustment: Reduce coco coir by 1/4 cups per cubic foot for lavender, as it prefers drier, well-drained conditions.

Groundcover Flowers: Creeping Phlox, Ajuga, Creeping Thyme, Liriope, Creeping Jenny

  • Adjustment: No adjustment needed. The base mix is suitable for these plants.

Vining Fruits: Grapes, Passionfruit, Kiwifruit

  • Adjustment: Add 1/4 cups of fine bark per cubic foot to improve drainage, essential for preventing root diseases in vining fruits.

Root Vegetables: Carrots, Beets, Radishes, Turnips

  • Adjustment: No adjustment needed. The existing mix provides enough aeration and nutrients for healthy root development.

Cruciferous Vegetables: Broccoli, Cauliflower, Cabbage

  • Adjustment: No adjustment needed. These vegetables thrive in nutrient-dense soil.

Good

Tropical and Subtropical Trees: Coconut

  • Adjustment: Increase sand or grit by 1/2 cups per cubic foot and decrease compost by 1/4 cups to improve drainage and replicate the natural environment of coconut palms.

Flowering Trees: Jacaranda

  • Adjustment: Add 1/4 cups of compost and 1/2T of worm castings per cubic foot for rich, slightly acidic soil that Jacaranda trees prefer.

Moisture-Loving Herbs: Mint, Lemongrass

  • Adjustment: Add 1/4 cups of compost and 1/2T of leaf mold per cubic foot to improve water retention for these moisture-loving herbs.

Bulbs and Tubers: Tulips, Lilies, Iris, Gladiolus

  • Adjustment: Add 0.22 cups of fine bark per cubic foot to improve drainage and prevent bulb rot.

Melons: Watermelon, Cantaloupe

  • Adjustment: Add 2 1/4 cups of rock phosphate per cubic foot to support fruit production and 1/4 cups of fine bark to improve drainage.

Perennial Vegetables: Asparagus, Rhubarb

  • Adjustment: Add 1/4 cups of compost per cubic foot to provide long-term nutrient support for perennial crops.

Cacti: Saguaro, Prickly Pear, Organ Pipe

  • Adjustment: Decrease compost by 1/4 cups, increase sand or grit by 1/2 cups, and reduce coco coir by 1/4 cups per cubic foot to create dry, fast-draining soil ideal for desert plants.