Available in 2 sizes: 2 litres > and 5 litres < this size

Boutique rare plant grower Yuki from The Rare Plantation knows her aroids, and when they're ready to climb, this is the mix she uses to give aerial roots the support they need for healthy root attachment and better access to nutrients to promote faster growth and larger, mature leaves, sooner.

This light, chunky mix combines the benefits of your typical grow pole substrates - like spagmoss and fern fibre - but without the downsides, making it lower maintenance than your typical moss pole substrates. Plus it combines 6 beneficial ingredients all in one blend so all the hard work's done for you.

PS: Need LOTS of potting mix? Orders over 15 litres total sometimes get too big or heavy for standard shipping rates. If your order goes over into overweight / oversize rates I will be in touch to let you know. I won't incur any costs without your okay - Anna

Which plants is this mix for?

All your climbers including Monstera, Philodendrons, Anthurium, Epipremnum, Pothos and other epiphytes that grow up trees in their natural habitat. Many climbers won't achieve that lovely large, mature leaf size without the help of a pole. If they need a pole, this is the blend to fill it with. This blend emulates the fibrous, woody trunks and branches they would attach their aerial roots to in nature. A great combo with using the Rare Plantation Chunky Aroid Blend in the pot and this blend in the pole.

Which poles is this mix best used with?

All your moss poles that you'd otherwise fill with substrates like spag moss or fern fibre. Think brands like Canopy, Grow Vertical, Thiccly and similar.

How much do you need to fill a pole?

A medium pole (around 40cms tall), will need around 1.5 litres of grow pole blend. That's if you fill the pole to the top. There's also the method where you fill the pole only to the current height of the plant, and top the pole up with more substrate as your plant grows taller. 2 litres will fill 1 to 2 medium grow poles, and 5 litres fills 3 to 4 medium grow poles. How firmly you pack it in, how high you fill the pole, and the width of the pole can all increase how much you'll need so this is just a guide.

What's in the bag?

Count them all. 6 different ingredients all in one chunky blend. Pre-mixed and ready to fill your choice of grow pole.

Coco Husk Chips

Sourced from coconut husks, coco chips hold a good amount of moisture balanced with creating pockets of air for root health. A more fibrous, higher-water-retentive alternative to bark chips that holds water for longer to save watering your pole as frequently.

Sphagnum Moss

Roots LOVE spag moss. It's light and fluffy, and holds plenty of water without sacrificing air space. Grow poles are traditionally filled with spag moss by itself, but when it dries out spag moss can become hydrophobic, repelling water. Adding spag moss to this blend gives you the best of both worlds. Happy roots without the higher maintenance.

Bark Chips

A popular choice for aroids and other epiphytes like orchids. Helps reduce excess water retention and increase air pockets. Bark is a popular addition for filling poles with solid backs like Grow Vertical, Thiccly and Canopy as those pole types hold water longer for lower maintenance, but also have reduced airflow vs full-mesh poles.

Tree Fern Fibre

A favourite for filling grow poles with, but used by itself can have high fall-out and dries out faster. Added to this grow pole blend you get the benefits of the fibrous tree fern fibres roots love, without the downsides.

Super Coarse Perlite

Low water retention, high air. Keeps excess water from sitting in the pole by increasing air pockets, reducing the risk of root and stem rot along with reducing the risk of growing mould.

Chunky Vermiculite

Vermiculite works like little chunks of sponges in the mix. Higher water retention but still allowing a good amount of air. A favourite for encouraging new root growth and retaining nutrients, encouraging aerial roots to get in and take hold.

Grow pole substrates

GROW POLE Blend by The Rare Plantation - 2 litre

GROW POLE Blend by The Rare Plantation - 5 litre