This question comes up at least once a week in Our Private Members Area. The subject of what sand to use for rooting cuttings is confusing, so lets see if we can make it easier.
In just about everything that I write or videos that we shoot I talk about the coarse sand that I use for rooting cuttings. But this is a very confusing subject because I’ve never actually seen sand sold under the product name “coarse sand”. Sometimes what you are looking for is called sharp sand, or concrete sand.
If you intend to use the Automated Plant Propagation System, and you should because it makes rooting cuttings insanely easy, sand is often the best rooting medium to use.
But it varies so much because sand is local to each region so it will be very different from area to area. Because it is so heavy, it’s not usually trucked very far, but instead mined and sold everywhere you can find a gravel pit.
In this post I am going to show you four different kinds of sand that I was able to find in our area. First up, beach sand! Notice that as I filled the nursery pot with beach sand, some of it leaked out through the drain holes in the pots. Dry sand will often do that, wet sand normally not.
Next up, silica sand! You can see that the silica sand contains tiny pebbles that allow this sand to drain really well.
Today I will do my best to show you how to find a sand in your area that is suitable for rooting cuttings. We shot a video about coarse sand “with the donkeys of course”. They are my video making compadres.
In this area we are fortunate because just about 30 or 40 miles down the road there is a huge silica quarry where they have been mining silica stone for at least 50 years. When they screen and wash the stone one of the byproducts is a great deal of coarse silica sand.
We use coarse silica sand because it drains well. Our Plant Propagation System applies water to the cuttings that we are rooting on an as needed basis but it’s important that the excess water drain away quickly so the stems of the cuttings don’t rot.
As you can see, play sand is very fine, contains no pebbles. It’s great for little kids, very easy on the knees, hands and elbows. But not really good for rooting cuttings because it holds too much water and stays too wet.
This is the play sand that I found in one of the local big box stores. Brand name doesn’t matter because sand varies from local to local so what’s really important is to evaluate the sand to find the one that is going to work for rooting cuttings. I hope this blog post helps you do that.
About those Drain Holes in Nursery Containers.
When we tried to fill this nursery container with the play sand it simply ran out the bottom of the pot like an hour glass. However, it was really dry in the bag so we added some water and managed to keep it in the pot.
What You Really Need to Know about that . . .
Some people will tell you to place paper coffee filters in the bottom of your nursery containers to keep the potting soil from running out. You do not need to do that! Good potting soil will not escape from the holes in the bottom of the nursery container. There is not a commercial grower in the business that I ever seen do that, I’ve never done it and I’ve never needed to.
If you are losing potting soil out the bottom of your containers,
your potting mix is too fine.
Next up we have what they sell in big box stores as all purpose sand. Not sure what people use it for, maybe under paying brick, but for that I’d much rather use crushed, super fine limestone because it packs hard and won’t ever seep through a crack hour glass style like sand can. It does contain some small stones which makes it better than play sand. But . . .
Again, this is what one of our local big box stores sells. Don’t bother looking for brand name.
But more importantly . . .
Watch as I test all four of these different kinds of sand for drainage.
Now let’s add some water . . .
We added water to both of these containers and in a matter of less than one minute the silica sand appeared to be completely free of excess water. In this photo the beach sand still has a little water standing on top. Not a good sign.
In the same amount of time, we added water to all of the containers at the same time, the play sand was still very soggy and as you can see, some of it washed out the bottom of the container. In the right hand container you can see that the all purpose sand also has water standing on top of the container. That surprised me, with the visible pebbles in the all purpose sand I thought it would drain better, but there’s something in there that’s inhibiting drainage.
The Results?
The straight up winner was the Silica Sand, it by far drained better than the other three.
The Lake Erie Beach sand came in second, it actually drained pretty fast.
The All Purpose Sand came in third. It didn’t drain very well, held way too much water for plant propagation.
The big loser was the play sand. It held all kinds of water, stayed soggy in the container, almost slurry like and as you can see in the photo, it also washed out the holes in the bottom container but still, minutes after our test it was still soggy and you can stir it like a milk shake. The play sand sold in your area might be different, you can test it as I have done here. But after this test I would never recommend it for rooting cuttings.
Keep in mind, I am only evaluating these brand name products for the purpose of plant propagation and that’s not what they are intended for. So poor results here doesn’t make them bad products. I’m sure they are fine products, just not for sticking cuttings.
Questions, comments? Post them below or in the Members Area.
Thanks! I ordered some silica sand that was labeled #20, and to my disappointment, I found that it was the fine consistency of “play sand.” The silica sand in your photo looks GREAT, has bits of gravel, and is of different sizes. Where can I get that???
Trudy,
That find sand that you have might be fine as long as water runs through it. If the sand turns to soup as you pour water over it that’s not good. I’m sure there are other places but in many areas it just might not be available. Just about 20 miles from here there is a huge quarry of silica sand and stone. That’s where mine comes from. Just follow the advice in this post and you’ll find something that works.
amazon or pool filter sand is salic sand
Hi Mike, love your videos, THANK YOU. In the Pacific NW, quikcrete and sakrete have a monopoly on sand (at least they do in the big box stores). Both of these companies drive me crazy because they have many, many products but yet they do little to describe the coarseness of their product on the packaging. So in the end, you have to guess based on user comments. So far, I’m 0/2. Both of my choices have looked like your “beach sand” above. As a matter of fact, I am pretty both of my choices ARE identical to each other in different packaging (by same company!). Question for you. How much water should your sand absorb vs how much should come out the bottom? I poured roughly 7 cups of water into my pot like yours pictured and it drains down nicely but I’m getting drips coming out of the bottom.
George,
As long as the water drains down quickly it will eventually find it’s way out of the container. Keep in mind, your cuttings are only going to be about one inch into the sand.
I was considering granite rather than silica or limestone based. Thought perhaps it might provide nutrient source in addition to clay loam here. Was intending to use for raised bed lavender and in-ground root vegetables.
Thanks for all your info.
I don’t know much about granite expect that it’s hard and probably would work without altering the soil composition.
Hi,
I just found this post. Extremely helpful, thanks a bunch for putting it together.
A quick follow up question – I found a pack of Desert Sand on Amazon. Would this work for rubber plant cuttings?
Thanks
Akshar,
I’m guessing it would. ???
I never ever can get the cuttings to grow, no matter what, following your directions carefully. They always mold. Now I have an explanation. I used “playground sand”. Only where can I get that correct sand!? Does Lowe’s or Home Depot have it?
Thank you!
Diane
Diane,
They might have swimming pool filter sand which is coarse. This time of the year you really don’t need to cover the cuttings and you can really stick them in garden soil. Depending on what cuttings you are trying to do.
Hello Mike, thank you for being a helpful resource. My local quarry in Northeast Alabama sells “manufactured” coarse limestone sand which consists of pieces as big as 3/8” down to dust. Is it safe to root cuttings in limestone sand?
Also, I want to primarily root cuttings from my Southern Magnolia tree. Do you have any tips on propagating an evergreen Magnolia?
DJ,
Limestone sand is not recommended. One the ph is way to high and that stuff will pack like concrete.
A few weeks ago I watched the video of you doing this side-by-side sand test but for the life of me I cannot find that video now! I can’t find it through Google or on your YouTube channel. Can you provide me with a link please?
Danielle,
Here you go; https://mikesbackyardnursery.com/2015/10/exactly-what-is-and-where-do-i-find-coarse-sand-for-rooting-cuttings/
That’s where I already am. I don’t mean the 2 minute video in this post, there was a longer video that showed you conducting this experiment from start to finish.
If there is another video it would be on our youtube channel, I honestly don’t remember, but really, all you need is coarse sand. I once stuck cuttings in mason’s sand which is really, really fine and it worked. So it’s really not that critical.
Mike, or anyone, take a look at the sand options here https://materialslogistics.ozinga.com/product-type/sand/
I will visit this yard and make my decision after looking at all the options.
My question is which ones would you start with?
My first guess would be the Torpedo sand, concrete sand. That should work fine.
I’m having a hard time locating silica sand. Any suggestions?
Mitch,
Chances are you won’t find it unless there is a silca quarry in your area. That’s why this page, to help you find an alternative.
If you are making a small propagation bed, Maybe bags of pool sand might be an option as around me it is 100% silica sand.
Pool supply companies sell silica sand thanks!
Finally I found my answer . Thanks
I live in Tampa, Fl where our soil is sand and dirt period. At 78, female and just retired I purchased a YIMBY composter to set up in my back yard. I’m most anxious to start composting and have been my kitchen scrapes to use when I have enough “stuff” to start with. I will defrost it all and bring it to outside temperature and let it dry out to some degree so that it’s not soaking wet. Will I have lost nutrients by freezing? I’m told to start to use brown then green in layers. I cannot begin to compost as you do (small back yard) and the above ground unit will be easy for me to turn and empty when compost is ready. I hope to purchase some worms (what kind?) as well. Got scads of Christmas cactus starters hoping to sell pls advise :))
Barbara,
I don’t think freezing kitchen scraps will cost you any nutrients at all. Worms? I really don’t know but any site that sells worms will have that info for you. I would say red wigglers but that’s just a guess.
Thank you Mike. you’re my mentor since I found you online and would love to start selling my Christmas cactus starter plants along with African Violet starters.
Barbara, to attract and feed worms use newspaper. they like the cellulose. Nost sure if worms would suvive in an above ground composter that you turn – would they get too hot? Good luck!
I live in Oregon, so our weather is not as hot as FL but I have a Yimby tumbler for composting and I have a zillion worms in it. I started a couple of years ago and just put in worms I found on the ground and also bought and added some of the fishing earthworms . . . now I have so many worms, they do look reddish color.
I had also wondered about the turning of them and the heat during the summer and cold of the winter, but they are surviving and thriving fine! 🙂
Hello to all, I am so excited about my backyard nursery, I am a dumb as hammer head, but I am willing to learn. Between all the dear I have to fend off and a a protected area as big as my living room, I got some sand at Lowe’s, and two dishpans at Walmart, cut back azaleas and gardenias, they are sitting in the shade covered in white plastic bags. At age eighty, I do need to supplement my income, I hope to hear from others in this organization. I wonder when I should set up my Facebook account, any suggestions?
Nuella,
Setting up a faceboook account and a business page can be done at any time, then you simply start promoting when you have something to sell. Stick more cuttings of different flowering shrubs as well.
Regarding correct grade of sand: I just set up my misting bed and needed a half ton of “coarse” sand. After visiting a few different sources for sand and enduring amused grins regarding terminology I discovered that in central CT the correct grade is referred to as “concrete sand”. It is often used to provide the bed for patio blocks. I will ultimately judge by my degree of rooting success, but the sand appears to be the perfect consistency.
Mike,
Concrete sand should be fine.
Howdy from east Texas Mike!
I searched from the Business Center forum and was unable to find the information I was looking for concerning the size grit of silica sand you recommend. I have found a source of #20-#20 grit silica sand. Is that adequate or do I need a more coarse grit?
Thanks!
Respectfully,
dan
Dan,
I have no idea because around here they label the sand completely different and not by grit size. As long as it drains really well it should be fine. You really should take a look at the sand before you order.
So—— where can I find the kind of sand I need?
Sue,
You have to call around, do not rely on just the Internet, many of these companies have no Internet presence. Call contractors, excavators, landscapers, they will know who sells sand. Then it’s best to go see the sand before order it.
The principle difference between the types of sand is the amount of finer materials in the mix. The finer materials act to fill in the pore spaces there by greatly reducing the effective rate of water drainage. If effective pore spaces are reduce too much, water can not pass through; even though air is able to pass. When water has washed the sand during processing, many of the finer materials are removed with the water; there by helping to maintain faster and better drainage.
One could probably improve the rate of drainage by screening a sand mix. However, it might be difficult to find cost effective screens that will retain the some of the somewhat sized materials while still allowing the finer materials to wash on though. Washing sand retained on sieves created with window screening might be sufficiently effective.
I’ve been looking for the right medium for rooting cuttings for some time, and was delighted when I got Mike’s e-mail entitled “” This Beautiful Flowering Plant Is One of My Best Sellers”” as it contained a link to this blog. After watching the blog, I went to the local national chain hardware store. They didn’t have silica sand and could not get it for me but recommended the locally owned building supply. They had it and it was stocked as a sandblasting media “Quikrete Commercial Grade Sand, medium grit sand for use in industrial and landscaping applications””. A 50# bag was $6.00. I just did a test for drainage and it passed with flying colors. I hope this helps.
Gary,
Excellent information. That is on my to do list to follow up and test a few more bagged sand products including filter sand, swimming pool filter sand and sand blasting sand.
hi mike wondering about crusher dust they use it to grit roads pretysharp
Jim
In most cases this is a limestone base and will pack like cement. At least around here that’s what they use. I failed to look for and include swimming pool filter sand in this study and I’d like to update this and add to the article. But filter sand should be perfect.
So did you ever try the pool filter sand….and what were the results?
Christine,
No I did not, but pool filter sand is used to filter water through. If the water did not run through it easily the filter would not work. I’d say it should be fine.
Depending on the beach, “beach sand” can contain a good percentage of shells. Depending on your soil, this can be a great amendment that adds calcium, phosphorus, magnesium and other trace minerals, but like limestone that is formed from ancient marine shells, it can alter the pH of the soil — same as adding limestone but slower-acting..
What is usually marketed as “sharp” sand, aka “manufactured sand,” comes from milling rock. The “sharpness” is of benefit for its bonding properties with Portland cement, when making ferrocrete or in other high-strength applications. Its sharpness, however, is like feeding ground glass to poultry: Worms also grind their food in a gizzard and it can injure their innards. Remember that, next to Uncle Mike, worms may be the best thing that every happened to your garden.
Other “sand” that should be avoided, or at least carefully considered, are screened coal “cinder” ashes (which are a witch’s brew of heavy metals, and milled tailings from hardrock mines, which can be either good news or bad news for their mineral content: Some, if pure, can have beneficial elements (iron, sulfur, and trace minerals) but many tailings, especially from hardrock gold mines, also contain contain lead, cadmium, zinc, mercury, arsenic and other killers. I know of at least two instances where such tailings are marketed as iron sulfide (FeS, aka “pyrite”) to lower soil pH and add iron, but actually contain arsenopyrite (more than half arsenic by weight) plus other heavy metals. Iron sulfide pure enough to use in agriculture is pretty rare, and is bright golden yellow.. If greenish it probably contains a great deal of arsenic, if whitish probably a lot of lead, etc.
Thanks Don. Being on the shore of Lake Erie I forgot to mention that ocean beach sand is going to contain a great deal of salt. That would not be good.
You bet, Mike! We’ve recently moved from the Mountain West to Ohio just west of you, and the beach sand at Lake Erie looked perfect to me: round, good size, no signs of minerals excerpt for iron, and loaded with shell fragments from that invasive mussel. You can watch it drain smoothly as waves come in over it. I just need to find a place that lets me pack it away without using a kiddie beach pail as subterfuge…
Is silica sand the type that they sell for laying block? if not ,what do I ask for & where do I find it?
Marshall,
It depends on where you live, each and every county probably has a different grade and type of sand that is used for different purposes. Mason’s sand, used in brick laying, is probably too fine. Sand used in the making of concrete is usually much coarser. Ask them how many grades of sand they have and then inspect the sand. You can do the drainage test as I did in this demonstration.
In New Brunswick, my search turned up two candidates that worked extremely well, One is advertised by a company called Atlantic Silica as Nursery Sand ( guess it will work fine!) The other that worked for me with great success is silica sand used in Sand Blasting ( I used 60 grit)
Hope these choices help
All the best
Wayne
Wayne,
Those are both good finds. When I did this article I forgot to look for swimming pool sand. I’ll see if I can get them added to this post.
The play sand I use is nothing like yours appears to be in these pictures. Mine also has small pebbles in it, and it roots cuttings quite well. Must be the difference in our areas.
Sharon,
That’s what makes this so challenging because sand varies so much from area to area. Even county to county the sand is different.
I am glad play sand works for Sharon, because that is what I used for my first cuttings, It is too soon for me to tell if they will root.
You can get (course) builders sand at any cement plant. It is sold for making mortar cement.
Ed,
Around here the sand used for making mortar is called mason’s sand, and it’s too fine. The sand they use for mixing concrete is more coarse.