If you’re getting ready to build your indoor garden or already have one, it goes without saying that one of the basics you need is good potting soil.
The upkeep of indoor plants depends on how well you prep them for survival during potting.
Furthermore, this is why the potting soil must contain the right ingredients, which can provide essential nutrients and aerate the soil.
An all-purpose potting soil will suit most plants; however, if you have delicate flowers or succulent plants, you may need a specialized type of soil to cater to their specific needs.
One of the most important factors to consider when purchasing indoor potting soil is the soil’s pH level, its capacity to retain water, and its porosity.
Amazon offers a variety of products, and to make your gardening life easier, we’ve prepared a detailed overview of the best potting soil for indoor plants.
Read on!
Top Pick
FoxFarm’s Happy Frog potting soil organic mix is ready to use right out of the bag, creating the ideal environment for young sprouts to grow into healthy, vibrant plants.
It’s lightweight and provides good aeration, which is essential for optimal root growth.
Lastly, it comes with Pearson’s protective gloves, which will come in handy for your gardening activities.
Budget Pick
There’s no need to think twice when it comes to our budget pick of potting soil!
This is definitely Miracle-Gro indoor soil mix, which is specifically formulated for various container plants.
Its special formula is less prone to insects and consists of coconut coir that can hold and release water, which guarantees healthy growth.
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What’s the Best Indoor Potting Soil?
Although indoor plants are more sturdy and there’s not too much fuss when it comes to their nurturing, an experienced gardener can’t underestimate or ignore their needs.
One of the first things to consider is the type of potting soil you’re using. Some plants thrive better in an acidic environment, while others prefer a more balanced one.
When it comes to drainage, ensure the potting soil can absorb excess moisture quickly without becoming too dry, and provide good aeration for the roots to grow healthily.
Lastly, some plants may require more nitrogen to help them grow, and this versatility is why you need to dig deeper and find out what suits your plants best.
What’s the Difference Between Indoor & Outdoor Soil?
There are no significant differences in indoor and outdoor soils, except for the product label. It’s good to know that they both contain the necessary nutrients essential for optimal growth.
Nevertheless, it’s important to remember that you can use outdoor potting soil for your indoor plants, but not the other way around.
What’s Potting Soil Made of?
Most of the soil mixes used for indoor plants are peat-based and have a pH adjusted with the addition of lime.
Moreover, some of the soils we presented in the article are enhanced with fertilizer or water-retention agents.
A quality indoor potting soil mix usually consists of peat moss, perlite, and vermiculite. These mixes are able to absorb moisture pretty well; however, they can dry out quickly.
This is why you can enhance them with fertilizers or purchase a potting soil instead of a potting mix, since they already contain additional nutrients.
If you’re an experienced gardener, you must’ve noticed that a change of soil goes a long way when it comes to plant health.
Thus, have in mind that peat-based soils aren’t designed for long-term use, and it’s essential to change it up within a year or two, depending on the plant condition.
Below, we review some of the basic ingredients used in potting soils:
Sphagnum
This is a natural plant material that provides aeration, has water-holding capacities, is light-weight, infertile, and acidic. This ingredient decays slowly and becomes compact over time.
It can provide some beneficial ingredients, and when used, it’s usually adjusted for fertility.
Furthermore, sphagnum can be either dried sphagnum moss, which is harvested live and then dried, or peat moss, which is essentially decayed sphagnum from organic peat bogs.
Coconut Coir
Coconut coir has gained popularity in gardening recently. It’s made from coconut husk fibers and has superior water-holding properties compared to peat moss.
With a neutral pH, this ingredient is more acidic than peat moss, and it’s best used when combined with it, as they complement each other.
Perlite
This is a well-known volcanic glass that is non-toxic, reusable, and has a neutral pH. Perlite is particularly effective at providing aeration to the soil, making it fluffy and well-draining. It has micro-pores that absorb water and fertilizer for the roots.
Pumice
Pumice is also a volcanic leftover and a great soil conditioner, quite similar to perlite. One of the key differences is that it’s heavier, which prevents it from floating, while also providing good drainage and aeration.
Vermiculite
This ingredient absorbs more water than the previous two, making it suitable for plants that require frequent watering or for those that may be forgotten. It has a neutral pH, doesn’t decompose, and improves aeration.
Sand
Sand is a rather common ingredient in soil mixes because it is inexpensive and reusable. Have in mind that it doesn’t absorb water.
What Types of Soils are There?
All-purpose Potting Mix
One of the classic options is the all-purpose mix, which is light and spongy in texture. It can hold moisture really easily, plus it’s fertile and it has a good pH level.
Succulent Mix
As the name implies, this mix is specifically designed for succulent and cacti plants. It doesn’t hold moisture and drains out quickly. Moreover, it can contain sand, it has average fertility, and it’s slightly alkaline.
Epiphyte Mix
Weak-rooted plants, such as orchids, require more aeration and structure; therefore, the ideal soil for them is infertile and acidic. Usually, the bark is one of the main components.
Specialized Mixes
Some plants, such as bromeliads, azaleas, African violets, and evergreens, require a special mix that can be quite convenient for use.
How to Improve My Potting Soil?
If you want to be on top of your gardening activities, there are a few steps you have to take for soil upkeep:
- Repot yearly. One of the most practical and logical options is to repot annually, providing your plants with the necessary nutrients from the new potting mix.
- Flush the soil. Every 4-6 weeks, ensure that you flush out the soil to remove any accumulated fertilizer salts or tap water deposits.
- Wick your pots. Use a wick and insert it in the pot through the drainage hole. This will help wick away excess water and improve drainage, preventing root rot.
Potting Soil for Indoor Plants Review
1. FoxFarm Happy Frog Potting Soil
Highlighted Features
- Rich in nutrients
- Light texture
- Well aerated
- Ideal for container plants
Since it’s already in the name of the product, you can be sure your plants will be happy and healthy as soon as you start using this product.
Usually, the plant’s roots search for nutrients in the soil, and you have to grow them with a nutrient-packed mix in order to provide them with the best care.
This FoxFarm mix contains beneficial microbes and fungi that help break down organic matter, thereby feeding the roots.
Moreover, the soil consists of the best ingredients and an adjusted pH level for maximum nutrient uptake.
The mycorrhizae fungi will encourage the plant’s roots to grow and develop more aggressivel,y and your indoor garden will thrive in no time.
2. Miracle-Gro Indoor Potting Soil Mix
Highlighted Features
- Suitable for container plants
- Feeds up to 6 months
- 6 qt.
- Good drainage
It’s a breeze to grow wonderful indoor plants with the Miracle-Gro indoor soil mix.
Moreover, it’s multifunctional and blended for various types of indoor container plants, with a special formula designed to repel gnats.
Furthermore, it doesn’t contain any compost bar, which can be a haven for fungus and insect pests. This is a mix that is easy to water and provides the soil with moisture while feeding your plants in the next 6 months.
The indoor soil mix features coconut coir, which actually helps to hold and release water, so rest assured, your plants will be more vibrant than ever.
3. Espoma AP4 Organic Potting Mix
Highlighted Features
- All-natural potting mix
- Enhanced with myco-tone
- Promotes root growth
- Improves moisture retention
The amazing soil mix by Espoma is regionally formulated from 35-45% top-quality ingredients, including sphagnum peat moss, sandstone, perlite, earthworm castings, kelp, and alfalfa. Feather meal as well as yucca extract.
It’s a great combination of ingredients that makes it suitable for all indoor and outdoor container plants.
Ideally, you can use the mix at any time you start planting in new containers, as well as during repotting.
If you notice that your plant’s growth is stagnant or its roots are emerging from the drainage holes, it’s time for repotting into a larger container.
For optimal results, feed the plants monthly during the growing season, starting at least two weeks after planting.
4. Black Gold 16-qt. Organic Potting Soil
Highlighted Features
- Ideal for container plants
- Enriched with organic fertilizer
- OMRI listed
- Rich, loamy mix
Nurturing indoor plants is not an easy task, and that’s why you need the best products to help you grow a beautiful garden.
The Black Gold organic potting soil is a rich, loamy mix that is perfect for container-grown flowers, herbs, and vegetables.
It’s enriched with earthworm castings, perlite, pumice, and organic matter and OMRI listed for organic use, so you can be certain you’re using the best for your plants.
The mix has good drainage and contains perlite and pumice to ensure there are optimal pore and air spaces for sturdy growth.
5. Premium All-Purpose Soil by Proven Winners
Highlighted Features
- Professional blend
- Encourages vibrant plants
- Excellent drainage and porosity
- Easy to use
The all-purpose potting soil by Proven Winners is specially formulated to enhance plant performance and can be used on a wide range of plants.
As soon as you start using, the flowers will become more beautiful, vibrant, with strong stems and roots and your garden will be colorful as never before.
What’s more, the potting mix has excellent drainage and porosity, which encourages healthy root growth.
The mix contains Canadian sphagnum peat moss, processed softwood bark, perlite, lime, and a professional wetting agent.
6. Sun Bulb Better-Gro Phalaenopsis Mix
Highlighted Features
- Phalaenopsis fertile mix
- Good drainage & airflow
- 8-qt. packaging
- Good for re-potting
One of the most popular orchids in the USA is the Phalaenopsis orchid, which requires minimal maintenance and has a long bloom life; hence, it’s very popular among growers.
For instance, as soon as the first bud opens, the orchid will remain in bloom for the next 3 months.
Moreover, as long as you provide them with the right soil, fertilizer, and care, the orchid will continue to bloom season after season.
This is where the Sun Bulb potting mix comes into play. It’s professionally blended with the optimal amount of fertilizer and moisture, which stimulates proper plant and root development.
The mix contains Canadian chunk peat, western fir bark, hardwood charcoal, and coarse perlite.
7. Bonsai Soil Mix by Bonsai Outlet
Highlighted Features
- Professional formula
- Good for bonsai plants
- Ready to use
- 2.5 gallons
Your bonsai indoor plants will absolutely love this soil mix formula. It’s a professional blend made by an expert to provide optimum growth for your bonsai garden.
The mix has good drainage and moisture and is ready to use right out of the bag without additional prepping.
What’s more, the premium blend comes double-sifted, dried, and bagged in a re-sealable bag, which you can store away in the off-season.
As far as the ingredients go, it’s made of 100% double-sifted akadama, red lava rock, and pumice.
Lastly, the manufacturer has been committed to providing its customers with the best products to meet the needs of their indoor plants. Thus, you can be certain you’re using a top-quality mix.
Final Thoughts
Indoor plants require high-quality care and attention to achieve optimal results. This is why purchasing the best potting soil for indoor plants can be a great assistance in plant maintenance.
Instead of searching and combining different ingredients, you can purchase your soil on Amazon as soon as you read our reviews.
One of the essential features of good potting soil is the NPK ratio; therefore, ensure you check it before purchasing.
If you’re inclined to get the best for your plants, please check out FoxFarm’s Happy Frog potting soil. There’s no need for additional preparations, and you can use it right out of the bag.
Moreover, you can be certain that it will provide your plants with good aeration and optimal nutrient intake for healthy growth.
It comes with a pair of protective gloves to use for your planting activities.
On the other hand, if you’re looking for something more affordable, the Miracle-Gro soil mix might be just what you need.
Since this soil has been blended for a wide variety of container flowers, you can’t go wrong with it. Moreover, it’s been formulated to repel gnats, so you can be sure your plant will grow healthy and happy.
We’re confident that you already have enough information to make an informed decision and choose what’s best for your indoor plants.
Don’t forget to have fun!