Short answer: look for mixes with coarse, inorganic ingredients and larger particles that let water pass quickly.

For more detail, consider:

• Ingredients: mixes containing perlite, pumice, coarse sand, pine bark, or coconut coir tend to drain faster than fine peat-only blends.
• Plant needs: cacti and succulents prefer very fast-draining blends; many houseplants do well with a mix that still holds a bit of moisture.
• Container: use pots with drainage holes and breathable materials to help drainage.

You can find a variety of fast-draining mixes at Walmart for in-store pickup or delivery if you need them quickly.

Quick guideline: adjust the amount based on the plant’s water needs and the starting soil texture.

• Succulents/cacti: many people use a mix that‚Äôs roughly 30‚Äì50% inorganic (perlite, pumice, or coarse sand) to promote quick drainage.
• Most houseplants: 10‚Äì25% can improve aeration without drying the mix too fast.
• Seedlings/seed-starting: use less coarse material so seeds retain enough moisture to germinate.

Too much inert material can reduce water and nutrient retention, so test a small batch and adjust. These additives are commonly available online or at your local Walmart.

Common causes: root rot often appears when roots sit in waterlogged soil for too long. Typical contributors include overly fine potting mixes, pots without drainage holes, and too-frequent watering.

What you can do:

• Check roots by gently removing the plant‚Äîlook for brown, mushy roots and trim them with clean tools.
• Repot into a fast-draining succulent or cactus mix and a pot with drainage.
• Allow the plant to dry before the next water and reduce watering frequency until it recovers.

If you need a fast-draining mix or a new pot, Walmart offers pickup and delivery options to help you get supplies quickly.

Store it dry and sealed. Moisture is the main thing that causes clumping, mold, and pest issues in stored mixes.

• Keep bags tightly closed or transfer mix to airtight bins.
• Store in a cool, dry place off the ground to reduce pest access and moisture transfer.
• Label the container with the mix type and date so you know what you have on hand.

If a mix has become compacted or stale after long storage, you can refresh a portion by adding fresh perlite or compost and mixing well before use. Bulk and smaller bag sizes are available for pickup or delivery at Walmart.

Do a simple pot test. Fill a small pot with the soil, water it thoroughly, and watch how the water flows through the drainage hole and how long the surface takes to feel dry.

• If water pools on top or drains extremely slowly, the mix may be too fine or compacted.
• If it empties instantly and never feels slightly moist, it may not retain enough water for some plants.
• Adjust by adding coarse amendments (perlite, pumice, or bark) to improve drainage, or add compost/coco coir to increase retention.

Results can vary by plant type and pot, so test before repotting valuable plants.