No Diggity, Got to Bag It Up

All about that base

If you've ever pulled a plant out of its pot to find a soggy, brown mess where the roots should be, you'll know the heartbreak of root rot. It's one of the most common plant killers — and the good news is, you can majorly lessen the risk of root rot with the right growing media.

The secret? A chunky, free-draining aroid mix.

Get Chunky with it

Most standard potting mixes are designed to retain moisture — great for some plants, but aroids (think Monsteras, Philodendrons, Pothos and all their glorious friends) are naturally epiphytic. In the wild, they grow on or around trees, with their roots exposed to lots of airflow. They like to dry out between drinks.

A chunky mix — one made up of coarse, open ingredients — mimics that environment. Water drains freely, air gets to the roots, and the conditions that root rot thrives in (wet, stagnant, airless soil) simply don't exist.

The mix tape

At Moss & Myrtle, we blend our own aroid mix using a combination of chunky orchid bark, pumice, coco coir, fern fibre, Kiwi Char, and perlite. Each ingredient has a job:

Orchid bark provides the chunky structure and excellent airflow around roots. Pumice is a lightweight volcanic rock that improves drainage while holding just enough moisture. Coco coir is a sustainable, fibrous medium that adds a little water retention without compacting. Fern fibre (our beloved Fern Wood product) mimics the natural growing environment of epiphytic plants and is fantastic for root development. Kiwi Char is a biochar that improves soil structure, supports beneficial microbial life, and helps with nutrient retention. And perlite keeps things light and airy.

Together they create a mix that drains well, holds just enough moisture, and gives roots the oxygen they need to thrive.

Thirsty and I know it

One of the most common concerns about chunky mixes is that they dry out too fast for water-hungry plants. And fair enough — a straight chunky mix might not suit every plant or every environment.

The beauty of making your own mix (or amending ours) is that you can tweak it to suit your plant and your space. If you've got a thirstier plant, or you live somewhere warm and dry where pots dry out quickly, simply add more water-retentive media — a quality potting mix, extra coco coir, or more fern fibre will slow things down just enough without sacrificing drainage.

It's all about finding the balance for your specific jungle.

I can see clearly now

Pairing a chunky mix with clear pots takes the guesswork completely out of watering — and honestly, once you go clear, you won't go back.

Clear pots let you see exactly what's going on below the soil. You can check root health at a glance — are they white and vigorous, or brown and mushy? You can see whether the mix is still damp or bone dry. No more poking fingers into soil, lifting pots to judge weight, or worse, overwatering because you just weren't sure.

We stock clear orchid pots in a huge range of sizes (6cm all the way up to 23cm), available individually or in packs of 5 — perfect for repotting a whole collection in one go.

Mix happens

Feeling inspired to blend your own? We stock a bunch of the amendments you need right here at Moss & Myrtle — including orchid bark, Fernwood Fern Fibre, and Kiwi Char Soil Enhancer. Pop in store or browse online to stock up.

Your roots will thank you. 🌿