Substrate Sets
Substrate sets group separate components around a clear mixing goal, such as aroids, Hoya, succulents, propagation or terrariums. They help you build an adjustable mix from selected ingredients while keeping control over ratios, texture and drying speed.

About Our Filters
Filters are here to help you get to the right plants faster, without guessing. We keep our filter values consistent across the shop by cross-checking multiple references and sanity-checking them against real-world indoor growing and handling.
Use them as guidance, not guarantees. Two homes can have the same “light level” on paper and still be very different. For the details that matter most, open the product page and read the full description.
How filtering works
- Filters stack: Every selection narrows the results.
- Multiple picks in one filter are usually either/or: Selecting two genera shows plants from either genus.
- Different filter groups work together: For example, Light level + Non-toxic narrows to plants that match both.
- Undo anytime: Click a selected option again (or use the clear/reset option in the filter panel).
Quick start: pick Light level first, then refine by Plant Type and size.
Shop & availability
- Favourite Collections: Curated groups like Bestsellers, Baby Plants, Rare Plants, Easy-Care Plants, Variegated Plants, Classic Houseplants, XL Houseplants, and Plant Sets. These are browsing shortcuts, not strict care categories.
- Availability (In stock only): Hides sold-out items so you only see what can ship right now.
- Price: Narrows by the current listed price range. If a product has multiple sizes/variants, prices can span a wider range.
Pet friendly & safety
- Non-toxic: Plants we classify as not known for relevant chemical toxicity for common pets. Still: chewing can cause irritation or stomach upset even with non-toxic plants.
- Non-toxic & Pet Friendly: A stricter shortlist for curious noses and paws. This isn’t only about chemical toxicity, it also helps you avoid many plants with physical hazards like spines, sharp tips, hooked thorns, stiff bristles, or scratchy textures that can cause discomfort or minor injuries. It’s still not a green light for chewing.
Care-related filters
- Light level: From Low indirect to Full sun/direct. “Indirect” means bright light without sun hitting leaves. “Some direct” means a limited amount of gentle sun. “Full sun/direct” means sustained direct sun.
- Water Needs: Low / Medium / High describes how quickly substrate is typically allowed to dry before watering again in normal indoor conditions.
- Humidity Level: Normal (40–50%), Moist (50–60%), Humid (60–80%+). This is about your usual range and consistency, not short-lived spikes.
Growth habit & training
- Growth Habit: How a plant naturally grows: Climbing, Hanging & trailing, Crawling & spreading, Upright, Self-heading, Clumping (offsets), or Rosette (compact). Use this for placement, training, and pot shape.
- Needs support? “None” holds shape without help. “Optional” means support improves structure/size but isn’t required. “Needed” means a stake, pole, or trellis noticeably improves performance or form.
- Growth Speed: Slow / Average / Fast under decent indoor conditions. Helpful for expectations, not a promise.
Size filters (delivered vs. long-term)
- Pot size (delivered): The nursery pot diameter your plant ships in (⌀).
- Plant height (delivered): The approximate height range of the plant you’ll receive. Natural variation is normal.
- Max. Height Indoors: Realistic long-term height potential indoors with time, care, and training where relevant.
- Max. Spread Indoors: How wide a plant can get long-term (clumping width, rosette width, or overall footprint).
Looks: shape, size, colour
- Leaf Shape & Size: Quick visual categories. “Small/Medium/Large” refers to typical mature leaf size, while shape labels describe the dominant outline.
- Foliage Colour: Dominant tones/patterns (e.g., Silver & grey, Pink & Red, Golden-yellow). Individual plants can vary, and new growth often looks different before it matures.
Botanical browsing
- Plant Type: Broad groups like Aroids, Hoyas, Cacti, Ferns, Succulents, Prayer plants, and more, good for browsing by “plant vibe” and general care style.
- Genus: Filters by botanical genus (e.g., Alocasia, Philodendron, Hoya). Great if you already know what you collect.
- Family: Filters by plant family (e.g., Araceae, Apocynaceae). Useful for deep browsing across related genera.
Want to see what we reference when standardising labels? Plant Care Resources is simply a curated list of the sources we use (POWO, Kew, and more).
Sort by:
Filters
Substrate Sets: quick buying checks
- Format: separate components selected for one use case, not one finished premix.
- Best for: custom aroid, Hoya, prayer plant, succulent, propagation and terrarium mixes.
- Ratios: adjust by pot size, root size, humidity, airflow and drying speed.
- Single ingredients: pick them separately when only one material is needed.
- After mixing: water once, watch drying speed, then fine-tune the next batch.
Substrate Sets for adjustable plant mixes
Substrate Sets sit between single ingredients and finished potting mixes. Each set groups separate materials for one clear use case, so you can mix a base, adjust texture and fine-tune drying speed without building a full ingredient shelf from scratch.
Match the set to the job
- Aroid mixes: chunkier structure for many Monstera, Philodendron, Epipremnum, Syngonium and Anthurium setups.
- Hoya mixes: bark-led structure for roots that prefer air around the potting zone.
- Prayer plant mixes: steady moisture with enough air for Goeppertia, Maranta, Ctenanthe and related plants.
- Succulent mixes: leaner, faster-drying texture for plants adapted to brighter, drier conditions.
- Terrarium and propagation sets: materials selected for young roots, humid glass or controlled starts.
Use ratios as a starting point
The label gives direction, but the final blend still needs to fit the plant and pot in front of you. Small young plants may need closer root contact. Large aroids can handle more coarse structure. Humid cabinets dry differently from open shelves, and terrariums need extra care around saturation.
Before mixing
- Check the existing base: some potting soils already contain bark, perlite or fertiliser.
- Add in stages: small changes are easier to read than one heavy adjustment.
- Test drying speed: water once, watch the pot, then refine the next batch.
- Keep notes: repeatable ratios help when the same plant group needs repotting again.
Substrate Sets FAQ
Are Substrate Sets ready-to-use potting mixes?
No. Substrate Sets are separate components selected for a specific use case, such as aroids, Hoya, succulents, propagation or closed terrariums. They are not one finished bag of pre-mixed substrate. You mix or layer the components yourself, depending on plant type, root size, pot size and growing conditions.
Which Substrate Set should I choose if my plant soil stays wet too long?
Choose Airflow & Drainage Substrate Set if your current potting mix feels dense, flat or slow-drying. It adds open structure with perlite, pine bark and Lava Rock Granules. Check pot size, drainage holes and root health too, because no substrate ingredient can fully fix an oversized pot, poor drainage or active root rot.
Are the suggested substrate ratios exact recipes?
No. Ratios are starting points. The same mix dries differently in plastic, terracotta, warm rooms, cooler rooms, high humidity, dry air, strong airflow or still air. Start with the suggested ratio, then adjust by how the pot actually dries and how the plant’s roots respond.
Can I use one Substrate Set for all my houseplants?
No single set suits every plant. Aroid Substrate Set, Hoya Substrate Set, Prayer Plant Substrate Set, Succulent Substrate Set and Terrarium Base Substrate Set are built around different root-zone needs. Choose by plant group, root size, watering behaviour and whether you need moisture retention, faster dry-down, chunkier structure or terrarium layering.
Do Substrate Sets replace fertiliser?
No. Most substrate components change structure, airflow, moisture behaviour or weight. They are not complete plant nutrition. Fertilising still depends on plant type, substrate type, watering routine and whether the plant is growing in soil, a mostly mineral mix or a semi-hydro setup.
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Everything arrived in good condition and very well packed - it wasn't easy with a fragile plant and a heavy bag of substrate. I recommend it!
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The plants have arrived in perfect condition, the roots and the foliage so so healthy! I had problem with 1 plant out of 16 and they have responded to my email almost instantly and the issue was resolved straight away. I'm really impressed and satisfied, definitely getting more plants from them again!
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