The Top 5 Potting Soils

A good potting soil is key for a healthy garden, but like anything, there are a lot of options and things you need to look out for when buying soil for your plants. Different soils have different textures, are made with different ingredients, and some are lighter and fluffier than others. Good soil for your potted plants will allow the root to grow with the right balance of moisture and air, won't be too thick, and will be supportive enough to keep the stalk from falling over. The basic ingredients in a good potting soil include peat moss, pine bark, and either perlite or vermiculite (for air space). Additionally, your potting soil shouldn't be heavy. So with all this being said, here are 5 great options for beginner to proficient gardeners to build your garden.

Miracle-Gro Indoor Potting Mix

Bug-proof long lasting soil

This potting soil mix is the best combination of ingredients without the bad stuff leaving your garden healthy and happy.

Best Overall

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Blended to work with a variety of different types of potted plants, this potting soil contains no bark, sand, or compost and is a gnat-repeller. This soil is best used with a container with a hole at the bottom. Fill the container a 3rd of the way up and add your plant, circle the plant with the mix, and press lightly. The bag is not resealable. If you’re repotting your plant or giving it a home for the first time, this soil mix will revive or bring to life your house plant.

Pros:

Best mix
Great for most plants

Cons:

Bag isn’t resealable

Espoma AP8 8-Quart Organic Potting Mix

Myco-tone enhanced organic soil

The perfect blend for organic gardening.

Best Organic

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This organic potting soil mix is great for both indoor and outdoor containers. Store the bag in a garage or outside porch to prevent bugs. This mix is made with myco-tone water which is proven to promote root growth and retain water. Your plant won’t feel drought stress or transplant shock with this soil. This mix also has earthworm castings in it, great as a rich organic fertilizer.

Pros:

Organic
Great for repotting plants

Cons:

Can attract bugs

Burpee Organic Premium Growing Mix

A clean, organic potting soil

This clean and organic potting soil is great for flowers, vegetables, and herbs alike.

Cleanest

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Burpee is a great brand for organic growing and maintaining of all kinds of potted plants. The company uses its own Burpee certified mix and works with renewable and sustainable resources. This mix specifically contains coconut coir which is fiber taken from the outer husk of a coconut. This ingredient retains water, keeps the bugs away, and is an overall great option for growing seeds.

Pros:

Great ingredients
Ideal for all types of flowers, herbs, and veggies

Cons:

A little pricey for bag size

Mother Earth Terracraft Potting Soil

The potting soil that does more

This soil is mixed so well it keeps pH and nutrient levels in mind.

Most Original

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This soil is so original with a unique and great mix of ingredients and the brand really cares about every stage of a plant’s growth. The soil keep pH balance and nutrition intake in mind and is mixed so well. The soil is light and fluffy and comes at a great value for the amount that’s in the bag. You can actually see the soil trapping the water and expanding it in the container.

Pros:

Great original mix
Cares about all stages of a plants growth

Cons:

May have a smell

FoxFarm Ocean Forest Potting Soil

Potting soil for a versatile environment

Mix and match your outdoor potting with veggies and fruit using this soil.

Best for Outdoors

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This soil is a great option for large outdoor potting plants and is ready to go right out of the bag. Specifically made for seedlings, the soil is light and airy. The fertilizer pH is perfect for optimum fertilizing. If you have a big outdoor pot that can hold multiple seedlings, this soil is perfect for growing a lot. The mix uses premium ingredients and is a great option for more experienced gardeners.

Pros:

Premium ingredients
Great for outdoor potted plants

Cons:

Packaging itself isn’t great

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common ingredients in potting soil?

Peat moss, pine bark, and either perlite or vermiculite (to provide air space). Another great ingredient to look out for includes earthworm castings. Peat moss is usually the first ingredient listed and is great for retaining moisture and works with basically every type of plant you want to grow. The ingredient doesn’t require a lot of water so be careful not to overwater.

Does potting soil go bad in the bag?

The short answer is yes.When peat moss decomposes, the soil loses its strength and you should re-pot your plant. Check to see if your pot is draining the water, if there’s any discoloration or salt build up. Organic soil won’t decompose as quickly.