UK compost
What compost for portulaca oleracea 'fairytales cinderella' in the UK?
Portulaca oleracea 'Fairytales Cinderella'
More about portulaca oleracea 'fairytales cinderella' in the UK
Which compost portulaca oleracea 'fairytales cinderella' needs
For portulaca oleracea 'fairytales cinderella' the mix to buy is peat-free multipurpose compost cut roughly half-and-half with horticultural grit or perlite. Performs best in poor, fast-draining ground or a succulent/cactus mix with added grit in pots. Rich, soggy soil leads to lush leaf growth, fewer flowers and root rot.In British garden centres the bagged growing medium is sold simply as “compost” (multipurpose, ericaceous, or loam-based John Innes), which is a different thing from the rotted garden “compost” you make in a heap — for a pot you want the bagged kind.
Peat-free compost
Buy peat-free. The sale of peat compost to home gardeners is being phased out across the UK, and the RHS recommends peat-free on environmental grounds. A good peat-free multipurpose grows portulaca oleracea 'fairytales cinderella' perfectly well; the one habit to change is watering — peat-free dries faster at the surface while still moist below, so check by feel a knuckle deep rather than trusting the look of the top.
Ericaceous or multipurpose?
Portulaca oleracea 'Fairytales Cinderella' does not want a rich, water-holding compost — it wants sharp drainage. Cut peat-free multipurpose roughly half-and-half with horticultural grit, sharp sand or perlite, and always pot into a container with drainage holes. A "cactus and succulent" bagged mix is a ready-made shortcut.
For the full recipe, pH and drainage detail (US wording), see the portulaca oleracea 'fairytales cinderella' soil & potting-mix guide.
Compost for Portulaca oleracea 'Fairytales Cinderella' in the UK — frequently asked questions
What compost should I use for portulaca oleracea 'fairytales cinderella' in the UK?
Use peat-free multipurpose compost cut roughly half-and-half with horticultural grit or perlite. Performs best in poor, fast-draining ground or a succulent/cactus mix with added grit in pots. Rich, soggy soil leads to lush leaf growth, fewer flowers and root rot. In UK garden centres this is sold simply as "compost" — the bagged growing medium, not garden-made leaf-mould — so match the description above rather than a brand.
Can I use ordinary multipurpose compost for portulaca oleracea 'fairytales cinderella'?
Not on its own — multipurpose compost holds too much water for portulaca oleracea 'fairytales cinderella' and will rot the roots. Cut it roughly 50:50 with horticultural grit, sharp sand or perlite so it drains fast.
Should the compost be peat-free?
Yes. Sales of peat compost to home gardeners are being phased out in the UK, and the RHS recommends peat-free for environmental reasons. Modern peat-free multipurpose composts grow portulaca oleracea 'fairytales cinderella' perfectly well — they dry a little faster at the surface, so check moisture by feel rather than by the look of the top.
Does portulaca oleracea 'fairytales cinderella' need grit or perlite added?
Yes — portulaca oleracea 'fairytales cinderella' must have sharp drainage. Add about one part horticultural grit or perlite to one part compost, and always use a pot with drainage holes.
What pot and drainage does portulaca oleracea 'fairytales cinderella' need?
Always a pot with drainage holes. Sharply drained, sandy or gritty, lean soil. Stand it on a saucer, empty any water that collects after watering, and never leave the pot sitting in a full outer cover — waterlogged compost in a cool UK room is the commonest cause of root rot.
More portulaca oleracea 'fairytales cinderella' care
See the full portulaca oleracea 'fairytales cinderella' care guide, its UK watering and UK hardiness.