I have seen the beach sand at Lowe's and wouldn't use it in my gritty mix. I think its grains are too fine. The Kalahari decorative sand is better. I use it for top dressing. You can certainly use it in your mix.

I prefer poultry grit to Kalahari because of size. Grit is around 1/8" while Kalahari can range between 1/8" to 3/16" inch. My pots are all very small, largest is 4", so smaller is better for me.

I'm not familiar with the others.

Good luck!

Maybe the beach sand (big maybe...) - but general concern about that is that it may be too salty and also may include too much of shell bits. Can't tell from the pic the size or anything else.

Rest of the rocks & pebbles are most likely too large, suitable for top-dressing or decoration. Can't you get a grit? It seems to be available in US - many mention CherryStone (I am in Canada, not familiar with it). And pumice and/or perlite are other very suitable ingredients.

MG Cacti&Succulent soil - depends on the mix; more often than not it is very peaty. Did you check the ingredient label? Some use it mixed 50/50 with perlite, I don't so can't comment.

Edited to add: Renee is familiar with that decorative sand. I believe it is too large - not because of size of pots, but the appropriate size of grit needed; once it gets too big it doesn't do what it is supposed to do in the mix...

If I'm not mistaken I don't think there's any succ/cactus potting mix that doesn't have peat in it. If I use any soil at all it will be a very SMALL amount. I may be able to find the grit from tractor supply but wow things are expensive there! I bought my plants and they look really great in the soil they were sold in...the plants came from Altman company which probably packed them in a succ. Soil/Perlite mixture. I'm contemplating putting the California sunsets in one big pot. What do you think?

No on the first beach sand. I used it (as recommended) for top dressing. It works it way into the potting mix when watered (or rained upon). Plants then rot. Particles are too small.

The coarse sand 'can' be used. And again, I used as a top dressing and, it keeps the medium from drying out well. This is probably fine for a desert area, but lethal for wet and humid SW Florida. As a part of gritty mix, it is ok. Not optimal, but ok.

You may be surprised at how cheap chicken grit is if you buy a large bag. A supplier here sells it for $12.99 for 50# bag. I just don't have the space for such a large bag. They also sell a smaller 5# bag for $7.50. That's significantly more expensive than buying in bulk for sure.

I started my succulent journey only 4 months ago. I followed advice here and used 50/50 Perlite and C&S soil in the beginning, then increased to 60/40 Perlite. I've now moved on to a gritty mix and plan to have them all repotted by winter.

If I were you, I'd start with what you have (Perlite and C&S mix) and go with that. See how they do. DON'T overwater them, even if you think they're dying of thirst. Use a skewer or chopstick to test the soil moisture before watering. If it comes out with soil particles or damp, DO NOT water. As time goes on and you get to know your plants, you may want to transition to a gritty mix. If you do, take your time and do it slowly watching how they respond. I'd also recommend that you keep your plants in separate pots for now. IMHO it makes things much easier when you're new to succulents.

Where will your plants live, indoors or out? How much sun will they get? Will the sun be direct or indirect?

Renee I had my plant inside and it started stretching so I moved it outside to get some light...but they aren't in direct sunlight. If I do let them get sunlight I only let them have it in the morning. For the past week or so they haven't had direct sunlight. When I bought them they were out of direct sun as well. On the front deck they could get anywhere from 10 hours of direct sun. It's 95 here in NC and it's been so dry. Pretty much since I'm a succulent newbie I have been researching everything I can on my plants. As of now I only have 7 California sunsets/Graptosedum. They are my absolute favorite! I'm actually wondering what other succulents would mesh well and thrive with them in the same container. In the winter they will be inside with me and will receive sunlight from south facing window and go outside when needed.

Heather

I suggested to check the ingredient label to see how much peat there is, some manufacturers add more, some less. I did not say there is one without any peat. Growers use peat, and also cocopeat. But their growing conditions are different than that of homeowner. They also grow for a short time - often (not saying all the times, and not saying all do it) even overfertilize to get them looking great and sell....

Chicken grit is the least expensive ingredient around here, 50lb bag is just under CD 10. And most of the 'stuff' is less expensive in US...

I am not in hot & humid Florida like Crenda, but I use mix very similar to hers: no soil at all, just grit, perlite (I would use pumice if it was easily available here) and small amount of turface. I do have just few succulents that are in a mix with some soil in it - ones that I got few years ago & didn't need to repot yet). I don't have problem with overwatering, and unless there is deluge, succulents stay exposed to rain...They are outdoors since spring until late fall, and in full sun (almost all - few are in morning sun only). Wintering indoors, they get extra light from supplemental lighting.

Thanks you guys I went with the c&s and Perlite and I put them in my pots BUT I couldn't find the small pots I need...so until I can get my small ones they will just have to sit in the 2 clay pots I could find. I did post a pic and tomorrow I've got to find me some small planter pots. I've always heard plastic is bad so I want to get the clay ones. Am I correct about the plastic ?

Where's the picture?

See separate post....'succulent trouble'!

No, that is incorrect about plastic pots. They may not look 'fantastic', but are just fine. Terracotta is maybe better looking, but also heavier. They are more porous, plastic is not. But if using water retaining potting mix, you'll have problems regardless the material of container. I have well over 200 potted plants (majority are succulents) and almost all are in plastic...

Agreeing w/ Rina, I use both clay & plastic pots.

Those pots are still too big, just get 3" plastic pots which are regular, normal pots for many of us succulent growers.