Congratulations! You are now on the waiting list, please check your inbox for our confirmation email!
Register Account
Bio Leaf African Violet Potting Mix - FINE Custom Blend - 2 litre - For AV's, Peace Lilies, Begonias, Ferns
*Please note: Maximum 10 litres total of potting mix per order before overweight shipping applies*
You can add other items to the same order, heavy limits only apply to items marked heavy. You can order more than the limit above. If needed, I'll pop your order on hold and will get in touch to arrange payment for overweight shipping (rates are here). Natural, organic potting mix like this is best potted up within 30 days to get the most benefit for your plants. Best to get only what you need, when you need it.
This is the 2 litre size. Also available in 5 litres >
Bad news
Yes, it's true. The much loved Bio Leaf potting mixes will no longer be produced after November 2023. Although natural, organic potting mixes like Bio Leaf are best potted up within 30 days to get the most benefit for your plants, you can stock up and store it for 3 months in good conditions. Store in a cool, dry place indoors. Avoid direct sunlight and high humidity. When ready to use, dampen then mix well as it will have settled when stored.
Why a custom mix for African Violets?
One word, FLUFFY. At risk of sound a little weird, I can't stop touching this mix! It's delightfully fluffy, light, airy and well-draining, yet maintains the perfect, evenly moist water level for longer, for all plants who dislike drying out. A perfect mix for wick-watering and bottom-watering too.
Actually, it's NOT only for African Violet's, but it was formulated for their more specific needs, making it the perfect blend for other members of the Gesneriad family, including Streptocarpus and Gloxinias, as well as other houseplants that share the AV's love of a fine, airy, evenly moist potting mix including Begonias, Peace Lilies and more.
What plants is this blend best suited for?
Superb for houseplants you constantly have to water because they dry out too fast. For plants prone to scorched, crispy, dry leaf margins or dry, brown leaf tips when they dry out, and for plants quick to wilt or curl when thirsty.
African Violets of course, but also Peace Lilies, Begonias, Baby's Tears, Pitcher Plants, nearly all Ferns and many more. Even thirsty Syngoniums.
This mix is superb for:
- Established plants with finer or more delicate-root systems that don't hold a lot of water in reserve and are prone to wilting when dry.
- Seedlings and baby plants with less established root systems, which are more reliant on their substrate not drying out.
- Plants with shallower root systems which suffer in normal potting mixes when the surface dries out too fast.
- Plants who dislike their crown or leaves getting wet and need bottom watering
Maintains an even, lightly moist substrate for 5 to 7 days or longer, depending on your conditions. Much longer than typical indoor plant potting mixes which are designed to drain fast, dry out fast and have low water retention. This mix has excellent capillary action for wick-watering, self-watering or bottom-watering.
Thank you Bruce Andrew
Bio Leaf have collaborated with 'World-famous-in-New-Zealand' top African Violet grower Bruce Andrew, to create this custom AV blend. Bruce has been growing AV's for more than 40 years, as well as Begonias, Streptocarpus and other Gesneriads for 10 years. Bruce is very generous with his knowledge, freely sharing his experience and advice with others.
How to water with this blend
This blend is designed for use with the wicking or bottom watering method, but can of course be used with top watering (however allow extra time to drain vs. chunky aroid potting mixes). This fine, fluffy, fibrous, porous substrate has superb capillary action, saving time when bottom watering as it absorbs water more efficiently, right to the top.
What's in the bag?
A soft, fine, airy, well-draining ratio of imported fibrous Peat Moss, Vermiculite, Perlite, crushed hardwood Charcoal, plus the Bio Leaf Bioactive Blend of organic nutrients and growth-enhancing compounds, all in a carefully-balanced, consistent ratio. Produced in small batches for the freshest organic value for plants.
Closer to nature
As well as the ingredients you can see, Bio Leaf also includes a proprietary Bioactive Blend that promotes a healthy microbial population of miniature, beneficial soil microorganisms, creating a foundation for your plant that's closer to nature.
The non-plant-geek version? Although too tiny to see with the naked eye, Bio Leaf creates an ideal environment for tiny soil super heroes to set up home, helping increase nutrient availability to plants, reducing the risk of deficiencies and helping detoxify soil.
Peat moss
One of the best substrates for providing water, without becoming waterlogged or compacted. Peat Moss also helps create an ideal, slightly acidic pH that tropical houseplants thrive in, increasing access to all the essential minerals needed for growth.
Perlite
Lightweight with low water retention, natural volcanic perlite improves both aeration and texture, adding airy pockets which helps keep air circulating between roots. Won't decompose over time.
Vermiculite
Builds a stronger growing medium that holds water better and for longer. Helps maintain a consistent moisture level for longer for plants sensitive to drying out.
Horticultural Charcoal
Helps increase aeration and adds drainage. Natural porosity holds on to necessary nutrients for roots to access. Creates a more favourable environment for good bacteria and beneficial microbes. Helps balance soil pH and detoxifies soil.
Shipping and Delivery FAQ's
SHIPPING RATES
Shipping is FREE for all orders over $99. For orders under $99: Auckland Standard $5, signature required is $7 or rural is $9. The rest of the North Island and the South Island: Standard $7, signature required is $9, or rural is $11. Plants and fragile or oversize products have their own rates (worked out in the cart based on your order).
IN STOCK, READY TO SHIP
Stock levels are live. Everything showing in stock online, is in stock right here, right now, in Auckland NZ, ready to ship. No drop shipping from other countries. No delays.
SHIPPING EVERY DAY
Orders ship every week-day, Monday to Friday. Orders placed before 7pm Monday to Thursday leave the next morning. Zoom zoom! Fri, Sat & Sun orders leave Monday (or the next working day).
FAST DELIVERY
Normal delivery is 1 to 2 working days. Rural and some regions can take a day or 2 longer, depending on where you're based (I'm based in Auckland).
More about shipping and delivery >
CUSTOMER REVIEWS
"Anna was brilliant. Order placed and sent the next day. Received in awesome packaging. Couldn’t ask for more... will definitely use you again and again and again. Highly recommend." Scott Guthrie
"I can’t recommend love that leaf highly enough. I’ve bought a couple of times so far and on both occasions Anna has been more helpful than I could possibly wish for. 5 stars! Don’t hesitate to order from Love That Leaf. Excellent service and super fast delivery." Rob Gordon
Why choose to buy from Love That Leaf?
YOU'RE SUPPORTING LOCAL
When you buy from me you're supporting a local, small, family business. Love That Leaf is a registered NZ business, based in Auckland.
IN STOCK NOW + NEXT DAY DISPATCH
You'll also get your goodies super fast. Everything showing in stock on the website is right here, in stock, ready to ship to you. I ship daily, Monday to Friday. Your order will be normally be on the courier the same or next working day. Zoom zoom!
I'LL PUT IT RIGHT + CONSUMER GUARANTEES ACT
I stand by everything I sell and will always help put right anything that goes wrong. When you choose to buy from a registered NZ business (like me), you're also covered by the Consumer Guarantees Act, unlike overseas purchases or private sales, where you can end up stuck with no rights if anything arrives damaged or stops working.
SUPER SUPPORT
I won't go AWOL on you. I'm here for support and advice anytime, even if you haven't bought from me yet. A lot of lovely people helped me along my plant journey, and I want to pay it forward. Please don't hesitate to ask for help. No obligation at all to purchase.
CUSTOMER REVIEWS
"Super impressed with this business. Something that is lost nowadays, is customer service. This however is not the case with Anna from Love that Leaf. Very happy with my purchase, very happy with the product information provided and very happy with the quick shipping and great packaging. Thanks!" Melayna Anderson
"By far the best customer care I've had in a long time. Website is such a wealth of information and the email with instructions for use after my purchase was fantastic. The pipette for measuring the correct amount was such a great inclusion, and the personalised message on the package was very cool. Definitely my go to shop for plant supplies now. Thanks Love That Leaf! A+++" Karyn Wilson