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This article was co-authored by Lauren Kurtz. Lauren Kurtz is a Naturalist and Horticultural Specialist. Lauren has worked for Aurora, Colorado managing the Water-Wise Garden at Aurora Municipal Center for the Water Conservation Department. She earned a BA in Environmental and Sustainability Studies from Western Michigan University in 2014.
There are 11 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.
This article has been viewed 51,804 times.
Whether you have potted indoor plants or an outdoor container garden, soil selection is critical to plant health. Choose the best soil to provide your plants with the right amount of drainage, soil consistency, and nutrient-retention. Selecting the right type of soil and even making your own potting mix can also be cost-effective in the long-run.
Steps
Method 1
Method 1 of 3:
Considering Your Plant's Needs
Identify the needs of your plant. Look your plant up online, flip through a plant identification book, or read the tag that accompanies the plant when you buy it. These are ways to find information about the specific needs of the plants you will be adding to your garden, and you can use this material to select the appropriate type of soil your plants require:[1]- Consider, for example, the amount of moisture your plant needs. A desert plant is going to require sandy potting soil that can drain more easily than the soil for a wetland plant.
- Take the PH level that your plant needs into account. While most potting mixes have a pH of 7.0, a plant like the African Violet requires a more acidic soil, specifically one with a pH of 6.0.[2]
- Native plants will have specific soil requirements. Always read more about the specific needs of your plant or ask at your local nursery what the optimum soil and pH are for any given native plant.
Choose between organic and conventional potting soils. Different plants will require various nutrients, some of which may not always be produced naturally. The following knowledge will allow you to make an informed decision when the time comes to select the best soil for your plants or garden:[3]- Organic potting soil is eco-friendly, as it is composed of microorganisms, decaying plant material, worms, and other natural elements. It contains microscopic organisms that add nutrients and minerals to the soil.
- Conventional potting soils contain ingredients such as peat, manure, and black hummus. All fertilizer or nutrients in non-organic potting soil have been manufactured and added by humans.
Determine how often your plants will require fresh soil. If your plants require new soil at the start of every season, conventional soil might be a better option for you, for whereas organic potting soil is reusable, conventional soil lasts only one grow season and can be disposed of afterwards.- If you decide to go with organic soil, you will be able to safely recycle ecologically friendly materials in pots or spread them in your outdoor garden.
- Conventional soil must be discarded after only one season, when potted plants are no longer able to absorb nutrients from this soil; on the upside, you get to start every season anew with fresh, clean soil.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:
Selecting Soil Weight
Select medium-weight potting soil for plants that are exposed to full sunlight. Medium-weight soil holds water better than light soil. Lightweight soil may become too dry to support the plant when exposed to the sun for long periods of time.[4]- Soil weight will be listed on the bag you purchase.
Use lighter soil for hanging plants or for plants that grow in the shade. If the soil is too heavy, it may become soggy and harm the plant.[5]- Re-pot a plant rooted in extremely light, airy soil when you get it home from the store, even if it is a hanging plant or a shade plant. Extremely light soil, composed of peat and sphagnum moss, dries out quickly and may kill your plant.[6]
Avoid using heavy soil. It may be too compacted for your potted plant and won't allow air to get to the roots. Heavy soil also may have too much sand or clay, which retains few nutrients, and may drain poorly, which can cause plant roots to rot.[7]- Use a sandier soil when planting desert plants. It should provide better drainage and contain fewer nutrients than the potting mix you use for most other plants. This will allow the plants to flourish.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:
Purchasing Fertilizer
Note the ratio of the various types of fertilizer. The minerals nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium -- N-P-K -- are listed alongside three numbers on soil bags. For example, a mix of 20-10-10 means there is twice as much nitrogen as phosphorous or potassium. Different types of plants require different mixes of these minerals, so consult a plant identification guide to determine the right balance for your plant.- Leafy plants require soil with more nitrogen. The higher nitrogen mix would be 20-10-10 on the bag.[8]
- Flowering plants need more phosphorous in a ratio such as 10-20-10 for good blossoms and a healthy root structure.[9]
- To promote plant health and foster disease resistance, use a ratio such as 10-10-20, which contains more potassium.
Replenish your plants' nutrition with a liquid fertilizer. Spraying your plants with liquid fertilizer every two weeks will supply additional nutrients and contribute to your plants' healthy growth.[10]- Popular liquid fertilizers include seaweed or fish emulsion blends.[11] You can purchase liquid fertilizer online or at most gardening stores.
Add fertilizer regularly. Research the plants in your garden to learn how often they should be fertilized. If you cannot find this, read the directions on the fertilizer's label to get a general idea of how frequently you should use the fertilizer.Advertisement
Expert Q&A
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- QuestionHow do you enrich garden soil?
Maggie MoranMaggie Moran is a Professional Gardener in Pennsylvania.
Home & Garden SpecialistSome good ways to enrich nutrients in the soil include adding compost, using cover crops, and covering the soil with mulch when not in use. - QuestionWhat is the best soil to use for indoor plants?Maggie MoranMaggie Moran is a Professional Gardener in Pennsylvania.
Home & Garden SpecialistA blend of peat moss, vermiculite, and perlite offer the best mixture for indoor potting. These blends absorb moisture and resist compaction. - QuestionWhat are the best potting soils?Maggie MoranMaggie Moran is a Professional Gardener in Pennsylvania.
Home & Garden SpecialistSome of the best are Miracle-Gro, Black Gold Natural and Organic soil, and Espoma Organic soil.
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Tips
- Make your own general-purpose potting mixture if you intend to have many potted plants or a large container garden and want to cut down on costs. You can mix 2.5 gallons (9.5 L) of peat moss, 2.5 gallons (9.5 L) of vermiculite or perlite, 1.25 gallons (4.73 L) of compost or manure, and two cups each of sand and slow release fertilizer. Add half a cup of lime to maintain the pH.[12]Thanks
- Do not use soil from your yard or garden because it may not have the nutrients necessary to grow potted plants. Garden soil may be the wrong consistency or have germs or fungi that may weaken or kill your plants.Thanks
- Buy soil in bulk. This is cheaper than buying in bags and is especially beneficial if you want to build up the level of soil in your garden overall or if you want to install raised beds, which generally require large amounts of soil. You can buy soil in bulk from select local nurseries and from shops selling landscape items.Thanks
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References
- ↑ http://www.gardenguides.com/136090-choose-potting-soil-miracle-gro.html
- ↑ http://www.optimara.com/doctoroptimara/diagnosis/pottingsoil-phimbalance.html
- ↑ https://dengarden.com/gardening/Organic-vs-Non-Organic-Soil
- ↑ https://www.provenwinners.com/learn/dirt-dirt-potting-soil
- ↑ http://www.grow-it-organically.com/container-gardening-drainage.html
- ↑ http://www.proflowers.com/blog/12-ways-you-kill-your-houseplants
- ↑ https://www.provenwinners.com/learn/dirt-dirt-potting-soil
- ↑ http://www.grow-it-organically.com/organic-nitrogen-fertilizer.html
- ↑ http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/how-and-what-to-feed-flowers.html
About this article
Lauren Kurtz
Professional Gardener
This article was co-authored by Lauren Kurtz. Lauren Kurtz is a Naturalist and Horticultural Specialist. Lauren has worked for Aurora, Colorado managing the Water-Wise Garden at Aurora Municipal Center for the Water Conservation Department. She earned a BA in Environmental and Sustainability Studies from Western Michigan University in 2014. This article has been viewed 51,804 times.
Co-authors: 13
Updated: February 12, 2023
Views: 51,804
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 51,804 times.
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