Premium Terrarium Substrate Mix
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Say goodbye to the guesswork and let our signature substrate mix do the heavy lifting for you. A carefully crafted blend that balances all of your plants’ needs and sets you up for long-lasting terrarium ecosystem success. Our mix keeps it light and airy for easy planting, with a healthy dose of chunkiness for optimum drainage and aeration.
We also give you the option to add pumice to the mix. Pumice further enhances the structure and drainage of the mix, but we know not everyone likes the look of light-colored materials. It’s your project, so we thought we’d let you decide!
Keep out of reach of small children and pets.
FAQ's
Have a question about our terrarium substrate and how to use it? See our in-depth answers to frequently asked questions below.
Key Benefits
Our Terrarium Tribe signature substrate
Worm castings deliver organic nourishment to support lush foliage and healthy growth, and the porous charcoal locks it in for long-term availability.
Orchid bark (and optional pumice) creates an airy, well-draining environment. Supporting a healthy water cycle and letting your roots breathe freely.
Our coco coir base supports those all-important humid, tropical conditions without weighing down your plants’ roots.
Horticultural charcoal forms the bioactive backbone of your self-sustaining terrarium, providing a natural platform for beneficial microbes, fungi, and bugs to thrive.
As an eco-friendly bonus, our bioactive substrate mix is completely peat-free. Good for your plants and kind to the planet!
FAQ
Terrarium substrate questions? We're here to help.
Check out the most common questions our customers ask. Have questions about something else? See our dedicated FAQ page!
How much substrate do I need for my terrarium?
It will depend on your plants and setup, but we recommend having around 2.5-4 inches of substrate in a typical closed terrarium.
Many mosses will be happy with 1 inch, whereas plants in larger installations with extensive root systems may need 6 inches or more.
Do I still need a drainage layer/false bottom?
Yes, a false bottom is always recommended to protect against overwatering. By allowing excess water to pass through into the drainage layer, a well-draining substrate works in tandem with a false bottom to keep your plants’ roots happy.
This substrate has charcoal in it, do I still need a charcoal layer?
If you’re looking to keep your terrarium fresher for longer, an activated charcoal layer can help with purification.
The type of charcoal used in this substrate mix is horticultural charcoal, which is primarily used to boost bioactivity, nutrient availability, aeration, and drainage.
In short, they are different types of charcoal used for different things.
What are the ingredients in this mix? What’s the ratio?
Coco coir, orchid bark, horticultural charcoal, earthworm castings, and (depending on which you buy) pumice. Both mixes are 50/50 chunky elements and fluffy elements, but beyond that, the ratios are top secret 😉.
For more info on these individual elements check out our terrarium substrate guide.
Is this substrate safe for reptiles/amphibians?
In short, it depends. The ingredients themselves are pet-safe for most vivarium animals (even the orchid bark used in this mix is 100% fir and no pine).
The main concern is that the chunkier particles if ingested, could be unsuitable for some reptiles and amphibians at risk of impaction.
Always do extensive research into your chosen terrarium pet and its needs before buying.
Can I use this for open terrariums?
While fairly chunky, this mix contains moisture-retentive coco coir, so it’s not a good choice for open terrariums that house arid plants. A specific succulent & cacti mix will work much better.
Can I use this for houseplants?
This substrate mix is designed with tropical plants’ needs in mind, so it’s a great fit for many tropical houseplants, too!