Title image above is copyright © Kristi Ellinopoullos


First published 29th March 2025


Using an Air-Pot® requires a different approach to that of regular pots, and I wrote of this here.

In this older post I mentioned how quite a bit of medium will fall through the bottom until a natural bridge forms across the base, and that this is quite normal.

But some mixes bridge better and more quickly than others! For example, the typical mix I use, as described here, is far easier to work with than this looser and more open succulent mix

But I persevered, as xerophytes love Air-Pot containers!

And then bonsai artist Kel told me her trick for keeping her even looser akadama-scoria-fine bark mix in place — she lines the base with fine peat coir! What a forehead-slapping lightbulb moment that was! Thanks heaps Kel!

My wonderful pen-pal friend Helen had sent some stunning succulent cuttings in the meantime, and I could not wait to get started!

Not much coir was needed, so I wetted up a small brick for this:


copyright © Kristi Ellinopoullos


copyright © Kristi Ellinopoullos

It stays in place really well!


copyright © Kristi Ellinopoullos

It was too easy to fill the rest of the tray with my loose succulent mix, and Helen’s cuttings couldn’t be happier!

Thank you ladies both!


copyright © Kristi Ellinopoullos