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These potting mixes help indoor and outdoor plants flourish thanks to targeted ingredients .
In This Article
Better Homes & Gardens
You may think thatyour container plantsjust need some poop to grow in , but most potting filth is n’t in reality “ soil ” at all . Potting mixture are made up of a cautiously balanced hardening of component designed to give specific plants the water , nutrients , and air they need to boom — and this may or may not admit genuine soil .
When select a potting stain , your choice will largely depend on what character of plants you ’re growing . Different plants have differing water and nutrient needs so face for a mixture that fits what you ’ll be grow . “ It ’s crucial to pay care to what the purse says the potting mix is for , for example general intention , veg , houseplants , or semen , ” saysViveka Neveln , aged garden editor for Better Homes & Gardens .
Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
While some potting mixes can be used for both indoor and outdoor container , there are good reasons to take a potting dirt designed for one or the other . “ Outdoor mixes tend to have more summate fertilizers and may include wet - keep back ingredient , ” Neveln articulate . Meanwhile , some potting grime for indoor plants are design to cut the prevalence of gnats andother pestilence that can often plague houseplants .
What We Researched
While researching potting grime , we consideredingredients , nutrient , drainage , and aeration . We also included mostlyorganicpotting soils on our list .
Our Top Picks
Best Overall
Wonder Soil Organic Potting Soil
Since it carry coconut coir , it ’s a peat - free mix that can be used for both indoor and out-of-door industrial plant and a spacious kitchen stove of flora types .
Handling this mix can be messy because pouring ingredients from the bag can release a lot of fine dust into the air .
Made of compressed cocoa palm coir and enhanced with food to help plant grow bigger and impregnable , theWonder Soil Organic Potting Soilis extremely various and can be used for indoor and outdoor plants , including herbs , blossom , microgreens , cactus , and even germ starting .
Credit: Amazon
Unlike many other potting soils , it ’s peat - free , which is a welfare for some gardener who worry aboutthe sustainability of peat moss(coconut coir is a renewable resourcefulness ) .
When mixed with body of water , the contentedness of the cup of tea will expand to four times its size . The coco coir in the potting mix does an excellent job of retaining pee , so you ’ll probably want to water your plants less frequently . It also aid further aeration in the soil , which keep roots healthy .
born ingredients , such as insect castings , kelp , and mycorrhizae ( beneficial microbe ) , aid plants mature freehanded with stiff roots and improve their resistance to disease and drouth . Perlite in the mix also helps retain water and nutrients and keeps the soil from becoming compacted .
Credit: The Home Depot
We care the fact that this mix is made of raw fixings so it ’s dependable for people and ducky . Also , the resealable bag micturate it easy to save some potting territory for later .
Be aware that using this mix can be messy — pour out the mix from the bagful can release a hatful of dust into the air , you may want to carefully scoop out the mixture or work on potting plants outside .
Product Details : Primary custom : All - Purpose |Nutrient Content : compressed coco coir , worm casting , perlite , kelp , mycorrhizae |Moisture Control : Yes ( coco coir ) |Bag Size:3 pounds ( expand to 12 quart ) |Organic : Yes
Credit: Amazon
Key Terms to Know
Best Budget
Kellogg All-Natural Premium Outdoor Potting Mix
With this 40 - quart bag , you get a caboodle of pot soil without spend much money . This all - aim mix works for all types of outside industrial plant and contains constitutive fertilizer to boost plant development .
This potting soil is not designed for indoor containers .
For those looking for a budget - friendly potting commixture , theKellogg All - Natural Premium Outdoor Potting Mixworks well for flowers , herbs , andvegetables in outdoor containers . Wood character in the potting premix aid the soil retain moisture , so you wo n’t call for to irrigate as often .
Credit: Amazon
The commixture also contains sphagnum peat moss to meliorate drainage , and several constitutional plant food , such as dew worm casting , fowl manure , kelp meal , and bat guano , to help your plants grow bigger and bring forth more flowers / yield . The manufacturing business still recommends using an additionalorganic chondritic fertilizerevery five to six weeks for subsidiary feeding .
This potting premix is OMRI - name fororganic gardening , so it ’s a great choice for anyone wanting to avoid synthetic production or chemical substance . It can be used inraised garden bed , however , the producer offer a differentproduct designed specifically for raised beds .
This big 40 - quart bag of potting mix goes a long way but costs very niggling , lay down it a groovy deal for anyone on a tight horticulture budget . It ’s not recommended for indoor potted plants , so you ’ll need to buy a different mix for houseplants or other indoor plants . Because it includes moisture - holding ingredients , you may need to irrigate less often .
Credit: Amazon
Cartesian product Details : Primary utilization : All - Purpose |Nutrient Content : sphagnum peat moss , Amandine Aurore Lucie Dupin , perlite , undercoat limestone , aged Sir Henry Joseph Wood mulct , earthworm casting , poultry manure , kelp meal , bat guano |Moisture ascendancy : Yes ( wood vulcanized fiber and peat moss peat moss ) |Bag Size:40 quart . |Organic : Yes
Best for Starting Seeds
Black Gold Seedling Mix
This potting intermixture has a ok grain to aid cum more easily germinate and push up through the soil . It also contains an organic wetting factor to assist retain moisture for solid root growth .
Since the mixture needs to be poured or scooped from the bag , it ’s mussy to use than the ejaculate - starting shot that you’re able to drop into a tray and moisten to flesh out .
Thebest potting soils for starting seedsshould be more fine textured than other types of soils ; this will make it gentle for seeds to sprout and seedlings to grow . Dense , coarse grime make it more difficult for those tiny plants to push through the soil .
Credit: Amazon
This germ - starting mix has a fine grain and is free of large pieces of bark or other organic issue . It include Canadian sphagnum peat moss , perlite , and an constitutional wetting agent to promote drainage while also retaining water so works grow substantial roots and thrive . It ’s also enriched with Si , which can inspissate works stems and increase ancestor hatful for strong , levelheaded works .
This seed - starting mixture is OMRI - lean for organic gardening so you’re able to palpate good about starting your vegetable ejaculate in it ( as well as herbaceous plant and flowers ) . Because this seed - start mix is sold in a grip , it ’s messy to use than seed - start pellets that can plainly be placed in seed - starting trays and expanded with water . However , because it ’s loose land , it can shape in any size of it ofseed - starting trayor other seed - starting containers .
Product item : Primary Usage : Seed Starting |Nutrient Content : Canadian peat moss peat moss , perlite , bitter spar lime , silicon , organic wetting agent |Moisture Control : Yes ( sphagnum peat moss , organic wetting factor ) |Bag Size:8 quarts |Organic : Yes
Credit: Amazon
Best for Succulents
Hoffman Organic Cactus and Succulent Soil Mix
This mix includes component , like Amandine Aurore Lucie Dupin , to promote proper drain for cactus and succulent . It ’s also an low-priced pick if you have a large collection of succulents .
It ’s not as rocky as some other more expensive cactus and succulent potting premix , so the drainage may be slimly dumb .
Potting soil specifically formulated for cacti and succulentsprimarily contain ingredients that ensure right drain to help prevent accidentally overwatering your plants .
TheHoffman Organic Cactus and Succulent Soil Mixis quick to use right out of the bag , so you do n’t have to worry about add any ingredients yourself . It curb both sand and peat moss to avail improve drainage and works well for both hobo camp and desert cacti .
This potting mixing is not quite as rocky in consistency as some other more expensive cactus and succulent commixture , so the drain may be slightly slower . However , it ’s a groovy choice if you have a lot of cacti and succulent plants ( the pricier blends might not be affordable once you buy enough for all your plants ) , and it still offers much better drain than stock potting soils .
Product Details : Primary Usage : Cactus and Succulents |Nutrient Content : Compost , peat moss , sand , limestone |Moisture Control : No |Bag Size:10 quarts |Organic : Yes
Best for Vegetables
Espoma Organic Potting Mix
hold a blending of natural ingredients that improve drainage and aeration and strengthen flora roots , this potting mix can assist you develop big , healthier vegetable works .
It ’s not OMRI - listed , so it may not be worthy for certified organic farmers .
An constitutive potting mixture is a heavy pick forgrowing vegetables in your gardenas you ’ll be eat the solid food that you grow in these potting mixes . Espoma Organic Potting Soil Mixcontains all - natural ingredients without synthetic plant food or chemicals , so it ’s good for you and your vegetables .
Made with a blending of bog moss peat moss , humous , and perlite , this potting mix helps ensure practiced drainage to keep root healthy . Plus , enhancements of nightcrawler cast , alfalfa repast , kelp repast , and feather repast render nutrient and serve as natural plant food .
The mix also sport MYCO - TONE , the producer ’s blending of mycorrhizae , which are good bug that can help grow unattackable ancestor and freehanded blooms .
This potting soil can be used for both indoor and outdoor plants . In addition to vegetable , it run well for herb and bloom . It does moderate peat moss , which some nurseryman prefer to avoid because of questions over its long - term sustainability ; however , the producer is committed to protecting the environment through solar baron , zero - waste manufacturing , and other go-ahead .
This potting land does not have an OMRI - number recording label , which designates intersection that have been through rigorous test and qualify for use by certified organic raiser . However , if you do n’t need to be certified as an organic grower and just need an all - natural product that will help your works thrive , this is a good alternative .
Product detail : Primary employment : All - purpose |Nutrient Content : Sphagnum peat moss , humus , perlite , worm castings , Medicago sativa repast , kelp meal , plume meal , mycorrhizae |Moisture Control : Yes ( sphagnum peat moss ) |Bag Size:16 quart |Organic : Yes
Best for Indoor Plants
Miracle-Gro Houseplant Potting Mix
This formula is designed specifically for houseplant and include a mix of ingredients that make it less prostrate to gnats .
It ’s only available in a small 4 - quart base , so you may have to purchase multiple bags if you have a heavy houseplant collection that you ask to repot .
The correct potting grease can aid your houseplants thrive by improving drain and providing aeration to keep the plant life ’s roots healthy . Although you could use an indoor / outdoor mix , we wish theMiracle - Gro Houseplant Potting Mix , which is specifically project for the needs of indoor plants .
This potting soil includes a mix of bog moss peat moss , perlite , coir , fertilizer , and a wetting agent , the combination of which helps make it less prostrate to gnat .
The fertilizer include in the potting dirt will help feed your plants for up to six month after planting . The all - purpose potting mix works well for a variety of common indoor plants , such as ivy arum , wanderer industrial plant , ceriman , philodendron , and English ivy .
Unfortunately , this potting soil is only available in one comparatively small size ; one 4 - quart dish is enough to fill an 8 - inch container . If you have a lot of houseplant you postulate to repot , you ’ll necessitate to buy multiple travelling bag to have enough pot soil to fill them all . Keep in mind , also , that this is not an organic product , which might be a deal ledgeman for some .
Cartesian product inside information : Primary exercise : Houseplants |Nutrient Content : Sphagnum peat moss , coir , perlite , fertilizer , wetting agentive role |Moisture Control : Yes ( peat moss peat moss , coir , wet federal agent ) |Bag Size:4 quart |Organic : No
Best for Potted Flowers
Miracle-Gro Moisture Control Potting Mix
This potting soil contains fertilizer which will give plant for up to six calendar month and can lead to bigger plant life and blooms .
The moisture - retaining polymer in this mix may keep dirt in indoor containers too moist so you may need to adjust your watering schedule consequently .
If you ’re look to boost your plant life ’s size and promote more / bigger blooms , theMiracle - Gro Moisture Control Potting Mixhas several advantages . For object lesson , it contain fertilizer which will help course your plants for up to six months after planting . This can dish out to give your plants a hike and facilitate you produce show - stopping containers .
The potting mixture also contain weewee - retaining agents that can absorb up to 33 % more water supply than standard potting ground . This is design to serve prevent under- or over - watering your plant by retaining more water and liberate it gradually over time .
In world , though , the result of these piss - retaining agents can be a bit discrepant , so you ’ll call for to supervise your plants and alter your lachrymation agenda if necessary . The potting premix can be used for indoor and outdoor container , but the moisture control mix may end up retaining too much water in indoor container , which can lead to ancestor rot .
“ It ’s good to use these types of potting mixes with industrial plant that require or at least will tolerate invariably dampish condition , ” Neveln says . Or use the mix for outdoor containers in hot , sunny locations where the moisture - retaining element may be just what you involve to prevent the container from dry out out quickly in the heat of the summer .
If you ’re opt to employ this mix out of doors where the moisture - retain polymer can really avail , you should be cognizant that this two - pack of 8 - quart udder may not be enough if you have several large outside containers . Be certain to factor in the cost for multiple purchases in that caseful .
intersection Details : Primary Usage : All - Purpose |Nutrient Content : Sphagnum peat moss , coir , perlite , plant food , wet agent |Moisture Control : Yes |Bag Size:8 qt./2 Pack |Organic : No
The Bottom Line
After researching a range of potting soils for various character of plant , we choseWonder Soil Organic Potting Soilas the skillful overall choice because it works well for a wide range of plants and include coco coir and other natural ingredients .
What to Know About Potting Soils Before Shopping
Nutrient Content/Ingredients
It ’s important to know that not all potting soils are created adequate and not all potting soils are good for every character of industrial plant . You ’ll require to carefully look at the factor list and ensure these ingredients — and the pct of each factor in the mix — will work for the plants you go for to grow .
“ dissimilar type of potting soil can curb the exact same component , but what differs is the portion of each in the admixture , ” Neveln articulate . “ An all - purpose premix may be more balanced between ingredients like perlite , peat moss , sand , and vermiculite , while a mixing for succulents will have higher amounts of uncouth grit and perlite to ensure dependable drain and less water retention . ”
Moisture Control
Some potting soil , such asMoisture Control Miracle - Gro , are specifically labeled as “ Moisture Control ” mix . These potting grease mostly contain moisture - retaining polymer that help retain pee , rather than letting it all debilitate out . “ The musical theme is that as the soil dries out , the polymer slowly issue the water so plants can practice it , ” Neveln says .
However , even if they are not labeled as “ moisture controller ” mix , all potting soil need to allow enough aeration and drainage to help plants prosper . “ tooth root need H2O , but they also need to breathe , so a potting dirt needs to take a equilibrium between make some water supply , but permit the surplus to enfeeble forth , ” Neveln says .
Some potting soils leave more drainage than others — which may or may not be a good thing , bet on the type of the plant you are growing . The distance between the particles in the mix are different bet on how much drain you want , Neveln excuse .
“ The coarser the ingredients , the near the drainage and amount of melodic line in the mix , ” Neveln says . A coarse mix with more space between speck , such asHoffman Organic Cactus and Succulent Soil Mix , is better for drouth - liberal plants , like succulent , for example .
Organic
If you need to annul synthetic production and chemical substance , an organic potting soil , such as theBlack Gold Seedling Mix , can be a unspoiled choice . Looking for an constitutive product is not a necessity , but it can make some gardeners find safe about the plants they are growing .
“ Some people like to choose organic mixes for growing eatable plant , especially if they are following organic gardening practice , ” Neveln says . Since their family will be eat the garden truck from these plants , some people may prefer to ensure the grime contains all - natural ingredient . Gardeners may also like to choose an organic mix for indoor plant that are secretive to mass and dearie .
Your Questions, Answered
What’s the difference between potting soil and potting mix?
There are a fewdifferences between pot mix and pot soil . A potting grime may or may not contain actual garden soil , while a potting intermixture is a soilless commixture that is made of other materials , such as sphagnum peat moss , perlite , or coco coir . In fact , the majority of potting grunge do not turn back any actual grunge because it ’s not the best growing medium for containers .
“ In a container situation , real soil will bundle too much and not drain well enough , ” Neveln says . Unless garden grime is sterilized , it also has the potential to introduce diseases and pestilence to your containers .
There ’s another pragmatic circumstance as well , Neveln pronounce . “ Garden soil also tends to be much sonorous than soilless pot intermixture , making pots more unmanageable to move around . ”
How often do you need to add new potting soil to plants?
“ The general rule of quarter round is to freshen up potting soil for fast - growing tropic houseplantsonce a yearand every couple of years for slower - growingindoor plants like succulent , ” Neveln says .
Of course , you’re able to often wait a fiddling longer without remark any minus core — but regularly changing out the potting soil will help ensure your plants get enough nutrients to grow and fly high .
“ For out-of-door containers , using brisk land every yr is idealistic , but I usually replace about half of it and mix the novel with the old ( supply there were no pest or disease issues the anterior year)along with some compost , ” Neveln says .
Should you fertilize potting soil?
If you ’re often watering your potted plants , the water system can have nutrient in the grease to deplete over clock time . Because of this , you should use a fertilizer regularlyto ascertain your plants are get sufficient nutrient .
For optimal plant wellness , ensure your fertilizer of selection containspotassium , nitrogen , and phosphorus . These ingredients will assist ensure your plants have strong and good for you source , stems , and leave .
Who We Are
Renee Freemon Mulvihillis a writer who specializes in home and garden topic . To research this article , she explore potting ground online to compare ingredients and revaluation , and see in withViveka Neveln , senior garden editor for BHG.com , to get extra advice about selecting and using potting mixes .
