I know quite a few people that use sand in their cactus and succulent mix quite successfully. Their climate, cultural practices, and choice of species allow them to be successful using it.

I don't. One year I experimented with a course sand and had disastrous results. Over half of the couple hundred plants in the mix rotted. Sand in my mind is not a good additive. It doesn't allow for air saturation in the mix. When the mix is wet, it's compact and doesn't dry out as fast as a mix with no sand in it.

To each his own. I can live without it. You might try it with a couple throw aways and see how it does for you.

randy

It isn't exactly sand...I would say it is coarse for sand and is basicly crushed shells. I need it for drainage expecially when we get summer monsoons.

"Sand" has become taboo on plant forums the last few years. I don't know why. I wonder if perhaps the taboo has not arisen from using stuff, like leveling sand, that has other things in it too. The description of "leveling sand" doesn't sound like something I would want to use as it does not sound like clean, sharp sand.

I grew many succulents successfully for a couple of decades in a medium that started with clean sharp sand.

You definitely don't want to use anything shell-based in a general purpose mix. Most things prefer neutral to slightly acidic pH. The aragonite from the shells is going to put your mix somewhere above 8 over time, which is way too alkaline for most things.

I pretty much agree with all the naysayers...reduction in air space, heavy when wet, and a potential alkaline disaster using shell-based (probably calcium carbonate?) ingredients.

If you want to lighten up a mix and improve drainage and aeration for monsoons, I think the addition of coarse perlite would work exceptionally well and is easy to obtain. If you can find a supplier near you, you can get a giant bag for under $20. You can use the shell sand as a decorative top-dressing.

x

Thanks for your knowledge and input and for keeping me on the right track. I'm glad that I asked before I did something stupid.