New to the world of gardening, houseplants, and soil mixes? The first thing on your mind before you start this journey is probably what potting mix is, what it’s used for, and how to pick the right variety for your flower bed or succulents.
Well, this extensive guide is here to help you learn all you can about potting mix before your first gardening project. We’ll also advise you on how to make your own potting mix if you’re into DIY approaches.
Plus, we’ll discuss further information regarding how potting mixes are different from other types of soil.
You must be interested in learning all this by now, so let’s dive right in!
What Is Potting Mix?
A lot of people use “potting mix” and “potting soil” interchangeably. Yet, once you know what potting mix consists of, you’ll understand why you can’t refer to it as a type of soil.
In short, a potting mix is a soilless medium that’s often marketed toward plants that you grow in a container or pot, either indoors or outdoors.
Since it’s soilless, it doesn’t contain any dirt. Instead, a potting mix is a blend of different organic materials that vary depending on the brand, joined by other elements that work to improve drainage, pH levels, etc.
In most cases, a potting mix can contain slow-release fertilizers, too.
Why Should You Use a Potting Mix?
Potting mixes have loads of advantages that your plants can benefit from.
For example, a potting mix is rich in ingredients that improve drainage and aeration; both guaranteeing a healthy, root-rot-free plant. Such components may include peat moss, pine bark, coir from coconut husks, perlite, and others.
Also, potting mixes are sterile as they don’t contain pathogens that can harm your plants. Unlike your typical soil, a potting mix doesn’t leave any room for fungi or other diseases to affect your plant, making it a much safer choice.
Last but not least, potting mixes are lightweight and more breathable. They don’t become compacted easily.
What Can Potting Mix Be Used for?
Potting mixes are great candidates for many scenarios because of all the benefits that we already discussed. They’re a favorite of gardeners to use in these cases:
- Indoor and outdoor container plants that need proper drainage
- Seed starting
- When you need a growing medium that holds moisture but doesn’t become compacted
- Helping secure plants upright by holding the roots firmly
- Offering ample ventilation around new, fragile roots to boost their growth and minimize chances of developing root rot
- Improving the health of different plants thanks to the fertilizers that they usually contain
What Nutrients Are in the Potting Mix?
Since potting mixes include an impressive variety of organic materials, you can only expect them to provide your plants with a multitude of nutrients.
Typically, a potting mix is high in the following nutrients (the concentrations can vary depending on the ratio of the organic materials in the mix):
- Nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium from fertilizers
- Magnesium and calcium from limestone and vermiculite
- Zinc from limestone
The rest of the components that are part of a potting mix don’t include any minerals or nutrients. Instead, substances like peat moss and perlite retain moisture and create pockets of air within the mix’s particles, encouraging the circulation of oxygen around the plant’s roots.
How to Choose the Right Potting Mix?
As a first-timer, settling on the perfect potting mix for your plant may seem like a tough task with all the different options available on the market. However, it’s never been easier to pick a suitable potting mix if you go through these steps:
- Consider the type of plant you have (succulent, flowering plant, etc.).
- Research the soil requirements of your plant regarding moisture retention, compactness, drainage, pH level, etc.
- Look for the right fertilizer to use that isn’t too harsh or too gentle on your plant.
- Pick a potting mix that matches all your plant’s previous requirements.
- Always go for a fresh potting mix to make sure it’s higher in quality.
More often than not, you’ll quickly find what you’re looking for whether you’re shopping online or at the store. That’s because there many ready-made potting mixes that are specific to different types of plants, such as:
- Succulent potting mix
- Cactus, palm, and citrus potting mix
- Indoor plant potting mix
- Orchid potting mix
- Tropical plant potting mix
Despite how straightforward it is to just grab whatever potting mix you think is right for your plant, you shouldn’t rush your choice.
We recommend that you read the ingredients on each one of those commercial potting mixes carefully to make sure they’re 100% compatible with your plants.
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DIY Potting Mix
If you’re not a fan of store-bought potting mixes, there’s always the option to create a homemade version. This DIY project gives you the advantage of controlling the amounts and variety of your organic ingredients and fertilizers.
This way, you can tailor your potting mix to your plant’s specific needs without trying your luck with different brands that may or may not be as effective. Sounds like a great idea, ha?
What Do You Need to Make Your Own Potting Mix?
You don’t need to follow complicated instructions or use special equipment to create a personalized potting mix. Besides the organic materials and additives (which we’ll mention right below), you’ll only need these tools:
- A large container to mix your ingredients into
- A scoop
- A hand fork for mixing
- A pair of gardening gloves
Potting Soil Mix Ingredients
Now, let’s go into detail about the ingredients you’ll need. Below is a quick breakdown of all the materials that go into the making of a potting mix and the roles that they play in it.
Sphagnum Peat Moss
Sphagnum peat moss is a staple in many brands of potting mixes, so it’s a must to include in your blend. This is an organic material that’s derived from decayed plant matter, but its contribution to your mix isn’t big on nutrients.
Instead, peat moss does a great job of holding water and air around the plant’s roots. It’s also acidic, so you can use it to lower the pH level of your soil if your plant requires it.
Coir Fiber
Coir fiber is taken from coconut husks, and it’s pretty similar to peat moss when it comes to its ability to retain water and air. If you can’t find peat moss for whatever reason, you can always replace it with coir fiber.
What’s better is that coir fiber has a balanced pH level, around 5.7–6.8. Since most plants don’t like acidic soil conditions, you may find yourself using coir fiber instead of peat moss for the majority of your potted plants.
It’s also worth noting that coir is available in the shape of compressed bricks. To use them, you’ll have to soak them in warm water first before dropping them into your container for mixing with other ingredients.
Perlite
Another thing that you should add to your homemade potting mix is perlite, which translates to small kernels of whitish volcanic rock. Perlite doesn’t add nutrients to your soil either, but it holds moisture and makes room for air pockets within the potting mix to boost aeration.
Better still, perlite has a neutral pH, making it perfect for all types of plants.
Vermiculite
An ingredient that also has a neutral pH is vermiculite, but it brings to the table much more than that. See, this heated then fragmented mica rock does a wonderful job absorbing moisture and keeping the soil from being too dry.
This makes it a good option for potted plants that require a moist, well-draining potting mix.
Furthermore, vermiculite contains three minerals that contribute greatly to your plant’s growth. These are calcium, potassium, and magnesium.
Sand
While sand isn’t always a requirement, you might benefit from its ability to maintain your potting mix’s structure. Plus, sand adds air space to the equation, and it helps keep your mix from being compacted.
When choosing the type of sand to add to your mix, we recommend you go for the coarse variety. It allows better aeration than fine sand, which will give you a dense mix.
Limestone
As we previously hinted at, the addition of limestone particles to your potting mix can provide your plants with more nutrients as it’s rich in calcium and magnesium. However, that’s not all!
Limestone is a gardener’s favorite because it counters the acidity of peat moss, helping you reach a neutral pH level. Besides, it’s loaded with zinc and phosphorus.
Fertilizers
Don’t forget about your trusted fertilizer!
To create a potting mix that’s suitable for most types of plants, we suggest you go for an all-purpose fertilizer. In other words, a 10-10-10 fertilizer should work out just fine here.
Compost
The best thing about compost is that you’re not limited to a certain kind; you may use organic materials that you already have at home.
Think along the lines of grass clippings, fruit or vegetable peelings, and nettle leaves as your nitrogen-rich sources. As for carbon-rich picks, you may go for straw, pruning waste, sawdust, and cardboard.
Once you leave a blend of all those ingredients in a compost container for the recommended amount of time, you’ll end up with compost that’s ready for use in a potting mix.
Composted Wood Chips
The last thing you’ll need to add to the previous ingredients is composted wood chips. These buddies will ensure your potting mix has the right texture and body, not to mention that they’ll offer some beneficial nutrients, too.
Composted wood chips also ensure that the roots hold on to the mix firmly.
What Is the Best Ratio for All-purpose Potting Mix?
For an all-purpose potting mix, a balanced blend of all these ingredients should be ideal. Here’s how much to add from each component.
- Sphagnum peat moss: One part
- Coir fiber: One part
- Perlite, sand, and vermiculite: One part
- Limestone: One part
- Fertilizers: One part
- Compost: Two parts
- Composted wood chips: One part
Note that you can increase or reduce the amount of several ingredients such as perlite, limestone, and compost according to your plants’ individual needs. It’s not a recipe that’s set in stone!
You may also use a blend of perlite, sand, and vermiculite or simply choose one of them to replace the other two.
What Is the Best Potting Mix Ratio for a Vegetable Garden?
A vegetable garden won’t necessarily require all the previous ingredients. For the best results, you’ll only need one-part garden soil (this is essential for a vegetable garden), one-part perlite, and one-part organic matter.
Things will be different if you’ll be growing vegetables in a container. Here, you’re free to use a soilless mix that consists of 70% peat moss and coir fiber, 20% vermiculite, and around 10% perlite.
What Is the Best Potting Mix Ratio for Flowers?
Indoor flowers may use a potting mix ratio of one-part perlite or vermiculite, one-part peat moss or coir fiber, and half-part composted wood chips or bark.
What Is the Best Potting Mix Ratio for a Raised Bed?
A raised bed won’t settle for a soilless medium, but it can still include a potting mix within its ingredients.
Here, you’ll need 60% topsoil, 30% compost, and 10% peat moss, vermiculite, and perlite.
What’s the Difference Between Potting Soil and Potting Mix?
It can be hard to tell the difference between potting soil and a potting mix, but it all boils down to one thing that ultimately shifts how each one interacts with your plants. This factor is the addition of dirt.
As we previously mentioned, potting soil has dirt, while potting mix doesn’t. As a result, a lot of other differences stem from this fact, including:
- Potting mix is lighter in weight and has less density than potting soil.
- Potting mix is sterile, while potting soil invites microorganisms and, sometimes, pathogens.
- Potting mix is often the top choice for indoor container plants, and potting soil does better in outdoor, in-ground applications.
- Potting soil can become compacted and water-logged and might need to be amended to improve drainage, while potting mix doesn’t.
- Potting mix provides better root aeration and minimizes the chances of root rot.
Let’s not forget that a potting mix can be used as a standalone growing medium, while potting soil needs additions to work more effectively.
What’s the Difference Between Garden Soil and Potting Mix?
Garden soil is a type of potting soil that’s marketed for in-ground use. So, basically, the differences between garden soil and potting mix are the same as the ones between potting soil and potting mix.
Garden soil usually contains loam, sand, and clay, and you can mix it with your favorite potting mix or homemade compost to up its performance.
Can I Use an All-purpose Garden Potting Mix?
Unfortunately, products that are labeled as all-purpose garden potting mix may not be as effective as a designated potting mix for your potted plants.
More often than not, these products will be cheaper and of lower quality. Think of them as filler topsoil or garden soil that won’t give you the right degree of aeration or drainage that your potted plants need.
When Not to Use an All-purpose Garden Potting Mix?
An all-purpose garden potting mix doesn’t belong anywhere but directly in the ground!
Therefore, it’s not suitable for container gardening, pots, hanging baskets, and the like.
Potting Mix and Soil pH
As we hinted at before, your potting mix has a huge impact on your soil’s pH levels. This is because it includes ingredients like peat moss (acidic) and limestone (basic).
Knowing that, you can tailor your potting mix to your plant’s needs to ensure the soil’s pH level matches your plant’s requirements. If it likes a low pH, you can add more peat moss than limestone, and vice versa if your plant thrives in neutral soil.
Potting Mix and Fertilizer
It’s always a must to add fertilizer to your potting mix, as all the other ingredients don’t fulfill your plant’s needs of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium without it.
Remember that this isn’t a one-time thing, either. As more time passes, the frequent watering of your plants will wash away those nutrients that were first introduced by the fertilizer when you planted your potted plant.
So, make sure to add a water-soluble fertilizer halfway through the growing season to give your soil the supplements that it needs. Fish emulsion is a great candidate for this job as long as you only use it every couple of weeks.
Potting Mix and Moisture
Using a potting mix can do wonders when it comes to holding on to moisture for potted plants. Because it’s enforced with ingredients that naturally capture moisture like peat moss and vermiculite, you can expect it to retain up to 33% more moisture than normal potting soil.
Of course, the degree of moisture retention varies from one brand of potting mix to another based on the ratio of its ingredients. This means you’ll have to research your plant’s soil moisture requirements before settling on a product to stay on the safe side!
Using a potting mix that retains too much or not enough moisture will make your plant’s growing conditions less than ideal.
Fortunately, many plants—like succulents and cacti—are hardy enough to handle a situation like this. However, others can be pretty fragile and might wither away if they don’t get the amount of moisture that they require.
What Should Free-draining Soil Have?
A free-draining soil almost doesn’t hold on to any water, making it perfect for plants that don’t need to be watered that much or that often. At the same time, it holds on to just a little bit of moisture to keep the roots from becoming too dry.
Ideally, free-draining soil should have a sizable amount of organic material and compost within its composition. It may also use the help of other ingredients that boost drainage to prevent water logging.
How to Make a Free-draining Soil Mix?
It’s a breeze to make free-draining soil to use in your garden or container. Just follow these simple tips to create a personalized blend:
- Add more compost like shredded leaves or grass cuttings into your mix.
- Steer clear of fine sands to avoid overly dense soil.
- Don’t add clay soil because it becomes easily clogged with water.
- Include some coarse sand into the mix to create pockets of air.
- Don’t hesitate to blend in some peat moss and lime to improve drainage.
- Use fertilizer regularly to ensure that the soil doesn’t run short of nutrients.
Should I Use Potting Soil or Potting Mix?
After knowing all about the differences between potting soil and potting mix, it’s time to determine which is better for you. There’s no clear winner in this round as both mediums are suitable for certain situations, so the answer depends on your individual needs.
When it comes to potting soil, it shines in outdoor settings where you’ll be covering a large area. Think along the lines of raised beds, vegetable gardens, and landscaping projects.
Just note that while potting soil is more affordable than potting mix, it’s a bit harder to work with. That’s because it will still need you to add compost as well as other amendments to improve its drainage.
On the other hand, a potting mix is the best choice for indoor as well as outdoor potted plants. Sure, it’s a bit more expensive, but you can use it as a standalone medium that doesn’t require modifications.
To Wrap It All Up
A potting mix should be your go-to option for all potted plants, whether they’re indoors or outdoors. It provides impressive drainage and aeration to the roots, not to mention that it’s rich in nutrients that boost growth.
Now that you know everything about what a potting mix is, how to use it, and how different it is from potting soil, we think you’re about ready for a new gardening experiment!