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  • Customer message: once you use Dirty Bow Tie there's no going back
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Coral's Tropicals

The Dirty Bowtie™ Semi-Hydro Plant Substrate — Pon Alternative (Wick Optional)

The Dirty Bowtie™ Semi-Hydro Plant Substrate — Pon Alternative (Wick Optional)

$59.99 USD
$59.99 USD
Sale Sold out
Size

Which size do I need?

Size Repots roughly Best for
1.5 Gallon — $24.99 ~20 plants in 3″ pots Trying it out, seedlings, a few new arrivals — $16.66/gal
5 Gallon — $59.99 (free shipping) ~70 plants in 3″ pots Converting a collection — $12.00/gal, 28% less per gallon than the 1.5

Most people who buy the 1.5 gallon come back for the 5. If you're converting more than a shelf, start with the 5 gallon.

Healthier roots. Faster growth. Less guesswork. The Dirty Bowtie™ is a ready-to-use semi-hydro substrate — a direct Pon alternative, hand-mixed in small batches by a grower who runs it on his own collection.

  • Wick optional — use it with a wick, without one, or with the pot sitting straight in the reservoir
  • Won't compact or break down — no mud, no repotting every season
  • Airflow + steady moisture — the combination that stops root rot
  • Free shipping on the 5 gallon

What's inside

  • Calcined clay — structure and airflow that hold their shape
  • Biochar — root health and microbial support
  • Vermiculite — even moisture distribution
  • Perlite — lightweight drainage and oxygen at the root zone

Every component is in there for a reason. Nothing filler, nothing dyed.

How to use it

  1. Rinse the old substrate off the roots — soil, moss, Pon, whatever it's in
  2. Pot directly into Dirty Bowtie — no layering, and no wick required
  3. Add nutrient solution or water to the reservoir
  4. That's it — watch the roots take off

Will it work in the pots I already have?

Yes — self-watering pot, grow tray, or a solid pot with no drainage. Wick optional. The mix wicks water upward on its own, so you don't have to add one.

  • Self-watering pot (wick or no wick) — works either way. Keep the wick if your pot came with one; it isn't doing any work the substrate can't do itself.
  • Solid pot, no drainage holes — plant straight in and keep 1–2″ of nutrient solution in the bottom as the reservoir.
  • Nursery pot with drainage, sitting in a grow tray or cachepot — set the pot directly in 1–2″ of solution and let it drink from the bottom.

Whichever setup you use, let the reservoir run dry before you refill it. That dry spell is what pulls oxygen down to the roots.

Works with almost anything

Anthurium, Monstera, Philodendron, Alocasia, Begonia, Hibiscus and most tropicals and everyday houseplants — from fresh seed all the way to fruiting mother plants.

Proven in a real collection, not a lab

I've run Dirty Bowtie across my entire collection for over a year — germinating seed, growing out seedlings, teenagers, mature specimens and fruiting mother plants. Stronger roots, faster growth, healthier plants, less work. That's why it's for sale: it works.

Ships from Utah, usually within 1–2 business days. Questions before you buy? Message us — a real grower answers.

Shipping & how fast it ships

Everything ships from Utah within up to 5 business days of your order. Plants go USPS Priority Mail by default — we highly recommend upgrading to UPS 2nd Day Air at checkout (+$14.99 on orders that qualify for free shipping, $29.99 on orders that don't). Fewer days in a box is the single best thing you can do for a live plant.

Free shipping on plant orders over $59. Substrate ships ground unless you upgrade at checkout, and substrate and plants ship separately — they may arrive on different days.

You'll get a tracking email the moment your label is made. In extreme heat or freezing weather we may hold a live plant a few days and ship it early in the week so it isn't sitting in a truck over the weekend — we'll email you if that happens.

How plants arrive

Plants travel with their roots wrapped and the pot secured so the substrate stays put. Some leaf droop or a bruised edge after a few days in a box is normal — they perk up within a week once they're back in light and humidity.

Unbox right away and let it settle somewhere bright and humid. If something arrives in bad shape, email photos within 48 hours of delivery to shipposhack@gmail.com and we'll sort it out with you.

Is this actually in stock?

If you can add it to your cart, it's in stock and ready to ship. We list a lot of crosses for browsing that aren't currently available.

To see only what's ready to ship today, shop the In Stock Now collection. Want something that's unavailable? Email shipposhack@gmail.com and we'll tell you when it's back.

Dirty Bowtie: which size, and what's in it

1.5 Gallon — $24.99 repots roughly 20 plants in 3″ pots. 5 Gallon — $59.99, free shipping repots roughly 70 and is the better value per gallon.

Mix is calcined clay, biochar, vermiculite and perlite — nothing dyed, nothing filler. Wick optional: it works with a wick or without one — self-watering pot, grow tray, or a solid pot with no drainage. Rinse the old media off the roots, pot straight into it, and keep 1–2″ of nutrient solution in the reservoir. Let the reservoir run dry before refilling. Works for anthurium, monstera, philodendron, alocasia, begonia and most tropicals and houseplants.

Still have a question?

Email shipposhack@gmail.com — a real grower answers, usually same day. Ask about plant size, a specific cross, combining orders, wholesale, or whether a plant is right for your setup.

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What growers say

  • ★★★★★

    “The semi hydro substrate is what won me over on semi hydro. It's been instrumental in helping so many of my plants recover that have been in rehab, creating growth points on cuts, and helping some perfectly happy plants absolutely thrive.”

    deudbus

  • ★★★★★

    “Tried the Semi-hydro substrate, and I'm obsessed. It's been less than a week since repotting, and I already see growth. I will definitely be buying more very soon.”

    Leaf.Theory

  • ★★★★★

    “My favorite Dirty Bow Tie has shown up!!! This stuff is gold for my anthurium.”

    Jennplants7

  • ★★★★★

    “His medium is the best I've ever seem!!! Definitely recommend. Its very light and airy. And you get alot for the price!!!!!”

    BackSwampPlantz

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  • 5 stars: 27 (96%)
  • 4 stars: 0 (0%)
  • 3 stars: 1 (4%)
  • 2 stars: 0 (0%)
  • 1 star: 0 (0%)
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DrownedInGreen

Fantastic, resourceful and dedicated seller! I keep coming back because the plants are top notch, shipped with great care and the seller is kind and attentive during his lives, offering unique plants and growing advice. Plants are loving the substrate too!

DrownedInGreen review photo
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Krustee

Love the substrate! I am new to plant growing and this substrate is so easy to use. I attempted to grow my first 2 corms in it, and they are both on their first leaf! My Anthuriums are also loving it.

Krustee review photo
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DredgeReport

Great packaging and love the substrate!

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Peggy

The product looks good but the customer service sucks they will not answer u I will not ever use them again

J
JunglexxCat

ONLY SUBSTRATE I BE USING FOR ANTHURIUMS ✨😻👏🏼 Thanks as always!!

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steviestems

Find this stuff at the bomb.com

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deudbus

The semi hydro substrate is what won me over on semi hydro. It's been instrumental in helping so many of my plants recover that have been in rehab, creating growth points on 🍑 cuts, and helping some perfectly happy plants absolutely thrive. Highly recommend

M
MonsterNuggie

Excited to try the substrate! Thanks again!

B
BC2729

My plants are loving this pon!!

K
Krustee

Amazing packaging! I was a little worried about the cold temperatures, but everything arrived alive. The 1 day shipping, and the insulation helped. I am so very happy with my large order. I have had fantastic results with the Dirty Bowtie substrate too! Thank you guys so much for all the amazing plants. I can't wait to grow them and show them off!

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BriLaughman

I've only been using this a week but so far I like it. I'm excited to move more of my plants into semi hydro. Thank you.

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TropicalinCali

Can't wait to try this substrate out! If you ever have problems with your order then this seller is great at making up for any mistakes! You just have to communicate any issues! 10 out of 10 seller

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Malmal

Love this mix. I have used it as an amendment to my Treefern/orchiata/pummice based standard mix, pon, and also alone and it works well in all scenarios. Living in a high-rise it’s difficult to mix large quantities of substrate without making a gigantic mess so very appreciative that Nick offers this! 🫶🙏👏👏👏

M
Malmal

I completely forgot how much of this I ordered and doubled down, but not at all upset. It will not go to waste!! Love this substrate and love that it’s already mixed for me and in cute little gallon sized bags!

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Imherefortheplants85

I am so excited to use this substrate. Nick's plants always look stunning and hands down the healthiest growth I've ever seen on plants. So here's to my plants looking half as stunning as his using his substrate.

K
Krustee

The substrate really does wick up the water! I’m very excited to keep using it.

B
BackSwampPlantz

His medium is the best I've ever seem!!! Definitely recommend. Its very light and airy. And you get alot for the price!!!!!

A
Augiejay

They will always take care of you. Great customer service!

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TheVelvetWeb

Love Dirty Bow Tie. Great substrate, highly recommend ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

C
Cherie_plants

Love it . I will buy again!!!!

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KFixPlants

i can’t wait to use my new substrate.

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NSFWPlants

My favorite Dirty Bow Tie has shown up!!! This stuff is gold for my anthurium. Thank you Nick and Kylee.

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IDontLikeChoosingNames

If you havent tried their substrate, you’re missing out! I have incredible root and leaf growth in the plants I’ve switched over to their mix, everything from seedlings to my biggest anthurium, and now branching out to monstera and alocasia. This photo is after only a few weeks in the substrate.

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Island_Plants

Great packing! Everything arrived intact. Thank you!

M
MrsPandaPaws

Great medium for aroids! Has high quality items in it. Anthiriums are already looking fabulous!

L
Leaf.Theory

Tried the Semi-hydro substrate, and I’m obsessed. It’s been less than a week since repotting, and I already see growth. I will definitely be buying more very soon.

A
AliciaGehret

Holy cow I ordered two of these big ones and my oh my I’m so happy I did! Thanks so much

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NukieBabii

Everything came securely packed. Plants are healthy and beautiful. Substrate is amazing