Everything You Need to Know About Choosing the Right Mix for Your Plants
Choosing the right potting mix is one of the most important decisions you can make for your plants. On the Sunshine Coast, our climate swings between humidity, heat, salt breezes and drying winter winds, so the soil your plants live in needs to balance moisture retention, drainage, nutrition and structure.
At Caloundra Produce & Landscape Supplies, we stock one of the widest potting mix ranges on the Coast, from everyday all-purpose blends to premium mixes, propagation blends and highly specialised formulas for citrus, natives, orchids, succulents and more.
This guide breaks down every mix we offer in simple, easy-to-understand language so you can buy with confidence and get the best results in your garden.
A high-quality potting mix should:
Think of potting mix as the plant’s “life support system.”
Good mix = strong, healthy, resilient plants.
(The mixes suitable for most everyday potting jobs)
Best for: Most houseplants, ornamentals, herbs, veggies, flowers and everyday potting.
A high-quality, certified premium potting mix that delivers strong growth and consistent performance across a wide range of plants.
This is the ideal “go-to” mix when you’re potting multiple plants or refreshing old pots. Reliable, versatile and great value, even better with the multi-buy options.
Best for: High-value plants, indoor plants, citrus in pots, flowering ornamentals, tropicals.
This is a step above standard premium mixes — designed for gardeners who want top-tier performance.
If you want your plants to really take off, Platinum Mix gives exceptional results with less watering and reduced feeding needs.
Best for: Large pots, feature plants, fruit trees in tubs, ferns, palms, indoor plants.
A nursery-grade potting mix with a high percentage of coconut fibre and chip — fantastic for moisture control in the Sunshine Coast climate.
Perfect for anyone who wants a low-maintenance mix that performs for months. Plants grow vigorously and handle heat stress much better.
Best for: Budget-friendly, everyday potting for ornamentals, indoor/outdoor plants, herbs.
A reliable all-purpose potting mix offering great value with a balanced blend of nutrients, organics and drainage materials.
It’s affordable, dependable, and ideal for filling a lot of pots, troughs or planter boxes without sacrificing quality.
Best for: Digging into garden beds, improving soil, planting shrubs and trees.
A garden soil improver designed to be mixed into existing soil, not used alone in pots.
Sunshine Coast soil can be sandy and lifeless — this mix transforms planting holes and new garden beds.
Best for: Vegetable gardens, raised beds, fruit trees, revitalising tired soil.
A nutrient-rich, microbe-packed soil improver perfect for veggie growers and gardeners wanting to give their soil a major boost.
Unmatched for prepping veggie patches and raised beds. Mix it into the existing soil and watch your crops explode with growth.
Best for: Edible gardens, herbs, salads, tomatoes, raised beds, balcony gardens.
Designed to produce lush leafy growth and high yields.
Veg and herbs grow strongly with fewer issues. Great for container crops.
Best for: Potted citrus, roses, fruit trees, flowering shrubs.
Formulated to support strong flowering and fruiting.
Perfect for patio citrus or roses that need nutrient-dense, flower-promoting soil.
Best for: All acid-loving plants: gardenias, blueberries, azaleas, camellias, daphnes.
Acidic mix designed to prevent yellow leaves and support flowering.
Helps overcome common problems like leaf yellowing and poor flowering.
Best for: Grevilleas, banksias, callistemons, proteas, acacias.
Low-phosphorus mix safe for sensitive natives.
Natives thrive when phosphorus is controlled — this mix keeps them safe, strong and flowering well.
Best for: Indoor succulents, outdoor cacti, mixed succulent bowls.
A highly free-draining blend to prevent rot.
No more mushy, rotting succulents — this mix keeps them dry and healthy.
Best for: Phalaenopsis, cattleyas, dendrobiums, oncidiums, vandas.
A bark-based blend designed for maximum root aeration.
Perfect for epiphytic orchids that hate heavy soil.
Best for: Cymbidiums, bromeliads, vireyas, anthuriums.
Chunky, moisture-balanced orchid-grade mix.
Cymbidiums thrive with this blend — strong flower spikes and healthy foliage.
Best for: Cuttings, divisions, plant cloning, propagation trays.
A fine, airy mix that promotes root initiation.
Significantly increases cutting success rates.
Best for: Germinating vegetables, flowers, herbs and natives.
Fine, gentle mix perfect for delicate new seedlings.
Seeds germinate more evenly and seedlings grow straight, strong roots.
General potting:
– Searles Premium Potting Mix
– Searles Platinum Potting Mix (for best performance)
Large pots & feature plants:
– Coco Pro
– Searles Platinum Potting Mix
Veggies & herbs:
– Searles Herb & Vegetable Mix
– ActivGrow mixed into garden beds
Roses, citrus, fruit:
– Searles Fruit, Citrus & Rose Mix
Azaleas, camellias, gardenias:
– Acid-Lover Mix (Azalea/Camellia/Gardenia Mix)
Australian natives:
– Searles Native Plant Mix
Succulents & cacti:
– Cacti & Succulent Mix
Orchids:
– Orchid Mix
– Cymbidium & Bromeliad Mix (for cymbidiums)
Propagation:
– Propagating Mix
– Seed Raising Mix
Shop online with Australia-wide shipping or click and collect from our store in Little Mountain. Need a hand finding the right product? Get in touch.
Not sure what you need? Speak with an expert.
