Perlite and sand (including horticultural sand) are commonly used to create a fast-draining mix for succulents. Some blends also include sphagnum peat moss or other forest-product materials alongside those drainage components.
Use a pot with a drainage hole, fill about one-third with mix, place the plant, top up and press lightly, water and let it drain, and allow the soil to dry to the touch between waterings.
Ingredients such as aged bark, perlite, and horticultural sand are commonly listed to improve soil structure and support fast drainage for drought-resistant plants.
Peat‑free mixes often include perlite, coconut coir, yucca extract (saponin), mycorrhizae, horticultural sand, aged bark, dolomitic limestone, and sometimes added plant food or fertilizer.
Indoor potting descriptions highlight peat‑free blends and the absence of bark or compost (which can reduce indoor gnats). They also list aeration and moisture‑control ingredients like perlite, coconut coir, yucca extract, plus mycorrhizae and pH‑balancing dolomitic limestone.
Review summaries commonly report that these mixes perform well for succulents and cacti, noting easy transplanting, good drainage and aeration, organic composition, and generally favorable effects on plant health.