Soil Guide for Plants (Malaysia)
Compare soil types by texture, drainage, pH, and fertility. See what each soil suits best and how to improve it for containers and gardens in tropical climates.
- Designed for Malaysia’s heat, humidity, and monsoon rains
- Quick diagnostics and practical amendments
- Container mix recipes for balconies and patios
Loam
Balanced, crumbly mix of sand, silt, and clay with good structure and air–water balance. Naturally fertile and easy to work.
Sandy Soil
Large particles with wide pores; drains very fast, warms quickly, and is easy to cultivate but holds little water and nutrients.
Clay Soil
Very fine particles and tiny pores; holds water and nutrients well but drains slowly and compacts easily.
Silty Soil
Fine particles smoother than sand but larger than clay; feels silky, holds moisture and nutrients moderately well.
Peaty Soil
High in partially decomposed organic matter; spongy, dark, and moisture‑retentive; often acidic.
Chalky (Calcareous) Soil
Contains free calcium carbonate; often shallow and stony; drains well but is alkaline and can lock micronutrients.
General‑Purpose Potting Mix
All‑round, peat‑free style container medium with balanced water holding and aeration for most houseplants and edibles.
Cactus & Succulent Mix
Fast‑draining, low organic mix to prevent root rot for xeric plants.
Orchid (Epiphyte) Mix
Highly aerated, chunky medium that mimics barky tree habitats for epiphytic orchids.
Seed‑Starting Mix
Sterile, fine‑textured medium for germination with excellent moisture and air balance.
Aroid Chunky Mix
Airy, chunky mix suited to Monstera, Philodendron, Anthurium requiring moisture with high oxygen around roots.
Bonsai Mix
Inorganic‑leaning, free‑draining substrate balancing moisture and high aeration to control vigor.
African Violet Mix
Moisture‑retentive yet airy blend for Gesneriads with fine roots.
Citrus Container Mix
Well‑drained, slightly acidic mix with good nutrient holding for fruiting citrus in pots.
Herb Container Mix
Free‑draining yet moisture‑holding blend suitable for culinary herbs on balconies.
Vegetable Container Mix
Rich, structured blend for fruiting vegetables in pots with strong water and nutrient buffering.
Topsoil (General Landscaping)
Bulk soil from the upper ground layer used for landscaping. Quality varies widely; often heavy, not sterile, and unsuitable alone for pots.
Flowering Soil (Retail Potting Mix)
Marketed potting mix aimed at bloomers, typically peat/coco with compost and bloom‑leaning nutrition. Good drainage with moderate fertility.
Fruiting Soil (Retail Potting Mix)
Container medium for fruiting vegetables and dwarf fruit trees, emphasizing structure, potassium, and calcium availability.
Forced‑Flowering Soil (Display Mix)
Mixes marketed for rapid blooming. Results rely more on light and nutrition than soil alone; treat as a normal potting mix with careful bloom‑phase feeding.
Forced‑Fruiting Soil (Boosted Mix)
A potting mix used with fruit‑set feeding strategies. Fruit set depends on light, pollination, and variety; soil should ensure drainage, K and Ca availability.
Quick Tips
Keep soil covered to buffer heavy rain and reduce evaporation.
Compost improves structure whether soil is sandy, silty, or clayey.
Use airy mixes with perlite/pumice; avoid dense garden soil in pots.