Best Indoor Plant Soil Mix of 2024

When you're dealing with a finicky fiddle-leaf or an overly sensitive orchid, having a green thumb isn't always simple. There's a good chance you won't know exactly what your plants require even with all the equipment you have at your disposal, from a reliable trowel to a generous mister. That's why choosing the appropriate potting soil from the beginning can make all the difference in the world to how well your plant grows.

In contrast to fertilizer, which functions more like a vitamin for your plants, potting soil provides nutrients to your plants. It isn't necessarily the same as potting soil, either. According to Seeds and Spades blogger Erinn Witz, potting soil and mixes are "functionally pretty much the same," but potting soil, as the name suggests, contains dirt from the digging process. Despite this, the two phrases are often used interchangeably or branded as "soil mix" (you'll find examples of both in the next sections).

The purpose of potting soil is unclear. Estate gardener and horticulturist Brooke Medlin says most potting soils are made up of peat mixed with some shredded pine bark, and superheated minerals like perlite or vermiculite to aerate and deliver nutrients to the soil. Because of their aeration properties, peat and perlite can be found in nearly every potting mix, according to Ms. Smith. "Improve drainage, encourage moisture retention, resist compaction," Witz says of the elements in potting soil. Soil density increases, making it difficult for plants to take up water.

Succulents, on the other hand, may demand a more specialized potting soil mix that is tailored to their specific needs. If you have a palm, citrus, or other specific plant in mind, Medlin suggests looking for a potting mix made just for that type of plant. With over 40 years of experience in the area, Bloomscape's head horticulture, Joyce Mast, believes pH, porosity, and water-holding capacity are three critical considerations. There are several factors to consider when determining a plant's preference for soil moisture: porosity (the space between soil particles), pH (acidity), and water-holding capacity. She explained that pH (acidity) is important because nutrients may be unavailable to the plant if pH is out of an acceptable range.

A few horticulturists and plant professionals were consulted in order to determine the optimum soils for each species of indoor plant. We hope this information is useful to you and your houseplants.

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Aeration And Drainage Materials

This can lead to root rot, which can potentially kill an indoor plant if it is left with "wet feet." Because of this, many houseplants thrive in soil that drains well. Soil drainage can be improved with the use of these amendments:

Expanded by heat, perlite is volcanic rock. It's light, doesn't hold much water, and aerates the soil, all of which help it drain better. Perlite's drawback is that it is so light that it tends to rise to the top of the soil, where it is less beneficial.

Soil aeration can be improved by using pumice, which is another volcanic rock. It is very permeable, retaining the nutrients that plants need, and does not degrade over time. It doesn't float to the top of the soil, unlike perlite, which does.

Shredded coconut husks are used to make coco coir, as previously stated. However, it drains quickly and leaves soil that is damp but not soggy.

With its ability to hold water and nutrients, vermiculite is an ideal soil additive. If you're concerned about asbestos exposure, don't use vermiculite in any of our soil mixes.

Plants that prefer drier conditions, such as cacti and succulents, will benefit from the addition of sand to their soil.

The roots of plants are protected from drowning with horticultural charcoal, also known as activated charcoal. Additionally, it is a natural anti-microbial that protects the roots from illness and functions as a salt and other impurity filter.

Pine or fir bark is sold in a coarsely sliced form in order to improve airflow and drainage in a potting soil. Since orchid epiphytes flourish in this kind of substrate, you could also sell it as "orchid bark" if you want to call it that.

Soil Builders

Sphagnum

Structure, aeration, and water storage are all provided by this natural plant material. It's light, sterile, and little acidic, but it's not toxic by any means.

As time goes on, sphagnum decomposes and becomes more compact. Although it isn't a big source of fertility, helpful microbes can thrive there. Most of the time, it's used with fertilizer additives.

Sphagnum is available in two varieties:

• Dried Sphagnum Moss – Sphagnum moss that has been dried after being taken while still alive is known as dried sphagnum moss. The long green, brown, or gray strands are usually sold intact, as seen in hanging baskets. For convenience, it may be pre-chopped.

• Peat Moss – Sphagnum moss decomposed in a natural peat bog. It's the result of a long decomposition process, where older moss dies and fresh living plants grow on top, accumulating in layers.

Coconut Coir

Recent years have seen an increase in the use of this organic substance. It may store more water than peat moss since it is made from coconut husk fibers. Peat moss is more acidic than coir because it has a lower pH. It doesn't even compress at all, which is a problem.

It's easy to deal with, but it's infertile and doesn't have the microbiological foundation of peat moss. Because of its high potassium content, it may interfere with some plants' ability to absorb calcium.

Because coco coir is harvested in an area that may contain salt, washing it before usage is a good idea.

For five to seven days, soak coir in a bucket of water, changing the water and washing it every day. To tell whether water is pure, coir releases brown tannins into the water which vanish with the salt.

Fertility Amendments

So far, we've focused on soil amendments that promote good aeration, good drainage, and good absorption. Finally, we'll talk about nutrition.

Nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium are the three most important nutrients for your plants. The NPK ratio is used to identify these components on fertilizers. The NPK ratio of a balanced fertilizer may be 10-10-10, but a nitrogen-rich fertilizer may be 20-10-10.

Trace elements like calcium and magnesium are also needed, as well as a few more nutrients that aren't listed here.

Synthetic Fertilizers

The water-soluble nature of chemical fertilizers means that they may be applied to your plants quickly and easily. They're usually less expensive, but they're also not as comprehensive as organics. In addition, they're more concentrated, making it simple to apply the wrong quantity and injure your plants.

Inorganic fertilizers are commonly found in retail mixtures, and they can be effective. A well-balanced recipe is normally what you'll need if you're producing your own soil and using synthetics.

Organic Fertilizers

The term "organic amendments" refers to anything derived from or derived from plants or animals. It's not a certification, thus it doesn't imply that the product was cultivated organically.

In general, organic fertilizers are safe for your plants, and they are particularly good at supplying trace elements and food for helpful bacteria. They are also environmentally friendly. In general, they're more expensive than synthetics

Compost

High-fertility amendments like compost are commonly utilized in potting soil. Plant breakdown produces a nutrient-rich byproduct that not only feeds your plants, but also improves the soil.

Produce sure your compost is thoroughly decomposed before using it, whether you buy it or make it. Compost that has matured has a pleasant aroma.

Worm Castings

For excellent reasons, vermicast, or worm "poop," has grown in popularity in recent years. Worm castings include a wide variety of beneficial bacteria and trace elements that plants need to thrive.

Worm castings are non-toxic, odorless, and easy to incorporate into the soil. The only drawback is the price.

Leaf mould

This organic supplement is a wonderful soil conditioner that encourages the growth of beneficial bacteria, but it doesn't supply much in the way of nutrients for the plants. If not completely broken down, a crinkly, well-decomposed mold is appropriate for potting and produces an excellent mulch.

FAQS

How to Make the Best Soil for Indoor Plants?

Let's construct a potting mix now that you're familiar with all the available components and modifications!

You'll need a large bucket or tub to mix in—we prefer these tubs for this purpose. Colorful, easy to clean, and easy to pour from, these containers are a must-have for any kitchen. Otherwise, a bucket or a storage container will suffice.

Using a soil scoop will make this job less messy, but it isn't necessary—a trowel, measuring cup, or even a large spoon can be used instead!

Once you've gathered your materials and prepared them, it's time to repot some plants. Use an airtight container or zip-top bag to store any extra potting mix you have left over. Make a note of the name of the mix so you don't forget what it is.

Making your own potting mix allows you to customize the final product to your specific tastes. If you are aware that you overwater, what can you do about it? Drainage will be improved if you add some extra pumice. Soil that is persistently damp is preferred by several types of calathea. Add a little coco coir or perlite for extra weight-holding power. It's easy to tweak your potting mix to match the demands of your plants once you know what each element does.

Can I use garden soil for indoor plants?

Charlie, I'm sorry, but that's not the case. For potted plants, particularly indoor plants, the majority of garden soil or topsoil is too thick and dense to be used. The roots of the plants will be suffocated by the compacted soil over time. A potting mix is needed instead.

I’m running out of my old potting mix and want to switch to a new blend … should I use up the old stuff first?

Blending potting soil for indoor plants before using it is the best method. Do not just top off your soil with a different blend if you are replacing it with a new one. Different soil levels in the same container might harm plants.

Conclusion

Choosing the right potting soil for your indoor plants is the first step to ensuring that they thrive. Consult your local nursery about their recommendations for your specific plant and temperature zone before purchasing a standard potting mix. When it comes to potting soil, indoor potted plants are more susceptible to poor drainage than their outside counterparts, so always pick your choice based on your own observations rather than conventional advice.

To avoid the death of your potted plants (even thirsty ones like snake plants) due to moist potting soil, we always recommend keeping some perlite, vermiculite, and LECA or another soil-drainage amendment available. Because even the best draining potting mixes compact over time, it's a good idea to add a handful of vermiculite to an old bag. Soil quality is more crucial than watering frequency when it comes to long-term plant health, so don't scrimp on this important investment. Our selection of the best potting soils for your indoor plant collection is a great place to begin.

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