The Best Potting Soil

Miracle-Gro Potting Mix

Green thumb

Help your plants reach their full potential with this enriched, all-purpose potting soil.

Best Overall

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Miracle-Gro is one of the top names in the garden business, and this premium potting soil lives up to that reputation. It’s suitable for many varieties of plants, and it can feed them for up to six months. The superior nutrient blend helps plants grow up to twice as large as unfed plants, and it also encourages more blooms on flowering varieties. The potting mix includes peat moss and coir to keep the soil moist, while perlite ensures that excess water drains off to discourage root rot.

Pros:

• Helps plants grow up to twice as large
• Enriched to feed plants for six months
• Great for both indoor and outdoor container plants

Cons:

• For use in containers rather than directly in the ground

Miracle-Gro Indoor Potting Mix

Inside job

Keep your desktop oasis thriving with this potting mix specially designed for houseplants.

Best For Houseplants

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Indoor plants can be notoriously picky, which is especially frustrating when they seem to grow in the wild just fine. This soil from Miracle-Gro will make the process easier because it is enriched with specific nutrients to feed your indoor plants. It also contains coconut coir, which holds and releases water to keep the soil at an even moisture level that plants love. Simply pot your plant, water it regularly, and enjoy its new growth. As a bonus, this soil contains no compost or bark — those ingredients can harbor fungus gnats, which are less than welcome indoors.

Pros:

• Blended for a wide variety of container plants
• Designed to help prevent fungus gnats
• Feeds plants for up to six months

Cons:

• Because it retains water and stays moist, this soil isn’t suitable for cacti or succulents

The Next Gardener Fast-Draining Coarse Blend Potting Mix

High and dry

Create a happy home for cacti and succulents with this coarse potting mix.

Best Coarse Blend

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Overwatering cacti and succulents can be a problem, especially if you have them indoors and out of direct sunlight. This coarse soil is formulated with three parts substrate to one part perlite, which drains excess water fast and keeps your plants safe from root rot. Even if you do overwater your plants, the extra will simply drain out rather than pooling or absorbing into the soil. This mix also has a low fertilizer content, which keeps the pH at 5.5, an ideal level for desert plants and even bonsai.

Pros:

• Great for cactus, succulents, and bonsai trees
• Soil is balanced at a pH of 5.5
• Provides excellent support, moisture, and drainage

Cons:

• Because it is imported, it is pricier than some other soils

Green Dream Premium Coco Coir Compressed Growing Medium

Like a ton of bricks

Conserve space with this handy compressed potting soil.

Best Compressed

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Coconut coir is a renewable and sustainable alternative to peat moss that helps feed plants and keep them hydrated. Coir is made from the outer husks of coconuts, so there is no resulting environmental damage like there is with peat mining. And it can hold up to ten times its weight in water, making it one of the best materials out there for water retention. This coconut coir comes packaged in a compact, dry brick, so you simply soak it in water overnight before using it as a potting medium.

Pros:

• Organic and eco-friendly
• Excellent for hydroponic gardens
• Absorbs and retains about ten times its weight in water

Cons:

• You must soak it overnight before using

Perfect Plants Organic Potting Mix for Vegetable and Herbs

Eat your greens

Nurture your produce with this organic, enriched soil that's perfect for veggies and herbs.

Best For Vegetables

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Upgrade your home vegetable garden with this specialized potting soil. It is made from organic materials, so your produce won’t absorb any chemicals. It includes ingredients like worm castings for nutrients and composted pine bark to help retain moisture levels. The soil also contains mycorrhizae, a plant-healthy fungus that helps establish and protect root systems while also naturally enhancing the soil’s nutrition levels, which can lead to a higher plant yield.

Pros:

• Enriched with mycorrhizae to aid root growth
• Organic and free of chemicals, which is excellent for edible plants
• Packaged in a reusable, zip-up bag

Cons:

• Only comes in eight-quart packages

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of potting soil do I need?

Different plants require different types of potting soil, so do some research about your plant’s water and nutrient requirements. Desert plants like cacti and succulents need loose, fast-draining soil, so look for blends with inorganic add-ins like sand or perlite and a pH of 5.5 or 6. Plants that like to stay moist, especially tropical species like monsteras or ferns, do best in mixes that include organic matter like coconut coir and peat moss that help retain water.

How much soil do I need?

Depending on the size of your containers, you may need more soil than you think. A six-inch pot requires about a quart of soil, while an eight-inch pot needs a gallon (or four quarts) of soil. Some options are sold by the cubic foot (one cubic foot equals about 25 quarts of soil), so make sure to double-check the volume of soil you need before ordering.