At Urbane Eight, we understand that healthy plants begin with healthy roots—and the right growing medium is essential to that foundation. That’s why love Maya’s Growing Mediums, a line of specialty soil blends and substrates formulated to meet the specific needs of different types of plants.
In this guide, we’ll take a closer look at each of the growing mediums we carry, what’s in them, what types of plants they’re best suited for, and why they work. Whether you're growing tropical foliage, succulents, orchids, or building your own custom soil blends, there’s a Maya’s product for your plant.
Maya Aroid Mix
Best for: Aroids such as Monstera, Philodendron, Anthurium, Alocasia
Aroids are tropical plants that typically grow in the understory of rainforests, often climbing trees or spreading across the forest floor. Their roots need plenty of airflow and prefer a substrate that doesn’t stay soggy.
What’s in it:
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Pine bark
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Coco chunks
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Perlite
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Charcoal
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Worm castings
This mix is coarse, chunky, and highly aerated, allowing excess water to drain quickly while maintaining a balance of moisture and oxygen. It encourages strong root development and reduces the risk of root rot.
Maya General Potting Mix
Best for: Common houseplants such as Pothos, Peace Lily, Calathea, Spider Plant
This is a versatile, nutrient-rich potting mix designed to support a wide variety of indoor plants. It holds moisture well without becoming waterlogged and is enriched with organic matter to provide sustained nutrition.
What’s in it:
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Coco coir
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Compost
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Perlite
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Vermiculite
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Worm castings
The blend promotes balanced moisture retention and airflow, making it ideal for plants that prefer evenly moist conditions and benefit from a nutritious substrate.
Maya Cactus and Succulent Mix
Best for: Succulents, cacti, lithops, and shallow-rooted arid plants
Succulents and cacti thrive in dry environments where water drains rapidly. This mix is designed to replicate those conditions, preventing excess moisture around the roots and encouraging healthy, compact growth.
What’s in it:
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Pumice
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Coarse sand
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Perlite
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Pine bark
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Minimal organic matter
The gritty, well-draining structure ensures that roots are not exposed to prolonged wetness, which is key to preventing rot in these drought-tolerant plants.
Maya Orchid Mix
Best for: Epiphytic orchids such as Phalaenopsis, Dendrobium, and Cattleya
Orchids naturally grow attached to trees, with their roots exposed to air and occasional rainfall. They require a potting medium that allows for excellent airflow and just enough moisture retention.
What’s in it:
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Pine bark
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Fir bark
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Coco chunks
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Sphagnum moss
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Coarse perlite
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Charcoal bits
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Worm castings
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Azomite
This blend provides structure and drainage while incorporating elements like sphagnum moss for moisture retention and azomite for mineral content. It supports both root health and blooming potential.
Maya LECA (Lightweight Expanded Clay Aggregate)
Best for: Semi-hydroponic setups, propagation, and plants prone to overwatering
LECA is a sterile, inert growing medium often used in hydroponic and semi-hydro systems. It offers excellent drainage and helps oxygenate the roots.
What’s in it:
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100% expanded clay balls
LECA provides a stable, reusable base that doesn’t compact or break down. It’s ideal for growers who prefer a cleaner, water-based growing system and want more control over moisture and nutrient delivery.
Maya Coco Coir
Best for: Seed starting, hydroponics, and custom soil mixes
Coco coir is a sustainable, pH-neutral substrate made from coconut husk fibers. It retains water well while allowing for good drainage and resists compaction better than peat moss.
What’s in it:
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100% buffered and washed coco coir
This material works well as a base for building your own soil mixes, or on its own in hydroponic systems. It encourages root development and maintains consistent moisture levels without becoming soggy.
Maya Pumice
Best for: Amending heavy soils, improving drainage, succulent and cactus blends
Pumice is a lightweight volcanic rock that helps keep soil loose and well-aerated. Unlike perlite, it doesn't float or break down over time.
What’s in it:
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100% natural pumice stones
Use pumice to improve the structure of any potting mix. It is especially useful for growers who want to create their own blend for succulents, or for plants that need improved oxygen flow to the roots.
Maya Perlite
Best for: Aeration, drainage improvement, soil lightening in any custom or existing mix
Perlite is a naturally occurring volcanic glass that expands when heated. It’s a staple amendment in many potting soils due to its ability to improve aeration and drainage while remaining inert and lightweight.
What’s in it:
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100% horticultural-grade perlite
Perlite is especially useful for plants that are prone to overwatering or root rot. It prevents compaction in dense mixes and encourages strong root growth by keeping oxygen readily available in the soil. While often used in blends like our Aroid, Orchid, and General mixes, Maya’s standalone Perlite allows you to amend existing soils or create custom mixes tailored to your plant’s needs.
Maya Charcoal
Best for: Improving drainage, reducing odours, and balancing soil mixes for a wide range of houseplants
Charcoal is a powerful soil amendment that helps create healthier, cleaner environments for plant roots. It improves airflow and drainage in mixes while absorbing impurities that can cause odors or stress to plants.
What’s in it:
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100% horticultural-grade charcoal
Charcoal is especially useful in mixes for orchids, aroids, and terrariums. It prevents soil from becoming overly compacted, reduces the risk of root rot, and helps absorb toxins or excess fertilizer salts. Adding Maya Charcoal to your potting blends keeps the growing medium fresh and balanced, supporting long-term root health.
Choosing the Right Medium Matters
Not all soil is created equal. Using the right growing medium for the right plant makes a significant difference in growth rate, health, and long-term success. Maya’s Growing Mediums includes a variety of specialty blends and pure substrates designed to support specific plant needs, whether you're potting an aroid, propagating in LECA, or amending a mix with perlite or pumice.
Every product is mixed or sourced with care by the team at Urbane Eight, using high-quality, sustainable materials. No fillers, no synthetic additives—just smart, functional soil designed for real plant care.
Find Maya’s Growing Mediums at Urbane Eight
Maya’s Growing Mediums are available exclusively through Urbane Eight, both in-store and online. Whether you're looking to repot your favorite monstera or propagate your next pothos, we've got the right mix to help your plants thrive.
Shop with us today and give your plants the foundation they deserve.