Maintaining your greens usually depends on how you prepare the soil mix for them to survive in. To save you much time on preparation, we’ve compiled a list of the best organic potting soil for plants which have the right amount of essential ingredients & nutrients for their growth.
- Black Gold 1302040 All Organic Potting Soil – Best Overall
- Hoffman 10404 Organic Soil Mix - Best For Cactus And Succulent
- Perfect Plants Organic Orchid Potting Mix - Best For Orchids
- Bonsai Tree Soil All Purpose Blend - Best For Bonsai Trees
- Espoma SS8 Organic Seed Starter - Best For Seed Starting
- Espoma AV4 Organic African Violet Potting Mix - Best For Flowers
- Organic Plant Magic Compressed Organic Potting Soil – Compressed Soil
Why Is Organic Soil Good For Plants?
Due to the mechanical benefit of nutrient and mineral-rich elements, not only does organic soil improve the drainage but it also makes the soil much more resistant to pathogenic invasion yet less dense so that it can easily break up for planting.
Soil minerals & organic matter are converted into everything that your plants need to healthily grow from the vitamins, nutrients, hormones, and disease-suppressing compounds.
Not to mention that organic matters will greatly increase nutrient content and add powerful mycelial layers of protection from diseases & pests, thus helping your plants grow much stronger cells.
Moreover, this saves you much money spent on chemicals and pesticides that supplement your plants with synthetic elements.
How To Choose Good Organic Potting Soil?
Nutrient variety
The very first thing to do before deciding to purchase a potting soil is to find out the long list of ingredients written on its bag. A great potting mix is the one that contains at least two nutrients for your plants’ optimum benefit. The more nutrients included, the better the potting soil is & the healthier your plants are.
Soil density
When you are in a hurry, a quick rule-of-thumb that works to test the potting mix’s density is to lift the bag. It’s advised to go for a light potting soil which does not contain much compost and filler that will discourage your plants to grow well.
What Brand Of Potting Soil Is Best?
Espoma Company
This family-owned company has been in the potting soil industry for more than 80 years. What makes them among the most popular sellers in America is a wide variety of top-class organic soil mixes which can work for almost any plant species.
Fox Farm
This nationally recognized family-owned brand is famous for making one of the coolest potting mix bags on the global market. But rather than the unique design, this California-based company also packs their products with various materials that other manufacturers don’t such as fish emulsion, crab meal, and water-retention ingredients.
Best Organic Potting Soil For Plants, Vegetables & Herbs
Black Gold 1302040 All Organic Potting Soil – Best Overall
Pros:
- Listed by the organic materials review institute for the production of organic food
- Great mixture of organic ingredients
- Ensure optimum pore and air space for sturdy growth
- Good drainage
Cons:
- A little bit dense for some greens
Containing a mix of organic ingredients tested and certified, the Black Gold 1302040 All Organic Potting Soil is proven to be great for any indoor weed raisings.
The rich and remunerating potting mix makes a fantastic base for patio containers, herb gardens, hanging baskets, and any green plantings.
What really matters is that this regional formulation works for the vegetables in the Western regions only. It might be a bit dense for some greens.
Product Specifications
Primary Ingredient(s) | Canadian Sphagnum Peat Moss, Composted or Aged Bark, Compost, Earthworm Castings, RESiLIENCE, Horticultural Grade Perlite, Pumice, or Cinders, Organic Grade Fertilizer |
pH | 6.3-6.8 |
Container Size | 8 quart |
Feeds up to | 3-5 weeks |
Weight | 6.85 pounds |
Fertilizer Analysis | 0.05 – 0.0 – 0.0 |
Highlight Features | Rich, loamy mix, perlite and pumice added and the presence of micronutrients |
Black Gold 1302040 is the best organic potting soil highly suitable for all kinds of gardening applications.
Hoffman 10404 Organic Soil Mix - Best For Cactus And Succulent
Pros:
- Professionally formulated for use with both desert and jungle cacti
- Ensure the optimal drainage succulents need to flourish
- Ready to use right out of the bag
- pH balanced
- Good value for your money
Cons:
- Not absorb moisture as well as others
Succulents of all kinds prefer soil mix with increased drainage. And that’s exactly what the Hoffman 10404 Organic Soil Mix has to offer.
This professionally formulated mixture is ready to use right out of the bag & pH balanced and ensures the proper amount of absorption, nutrients, and drainage to prevent a wide variety of succulents, including Aloe Vera and cacti from being too overwatered.
If you find that the Hoffman 10404 Organic Soil Mix does not drain that well as you might expect, pop the mix on top after adding some gravel to the pot bottom.
Product Specifications
Primary Ingredient(s) | Canadian Sphagnum peat moss, reed sedge peat, perlite, sand, and limestone |
pH | 6.3-6.8 |
Container Size | 4 quart |
Feeds up to | N/A |
Weight | 1 lb |
Highlight Features | Professionally formulated soil mix & complete package directions |
Hoffman 10404 Organic Soil Mix match well with almost any kinds of cactus and succulents you want to grow.
Perfect Plants Organic Orchid Potting Mix - Best For Orchids
Pros:
- Balance overall drainage while still giving orchids’ roots easy access to moisture
- Resealable
- Ensure good drainage & proper aeration in the orchid’s pots
- Great for storage & later use
Cons:
- Might attract gnats
When it comes to the best mix for orchids, there is no better choice than this Organic Orchid Potting Mix by Perfect Plants.
Instead of suffocating your orchids’ aerial roots, this organic potting mix offers them enough room to expand to the fullest potential possible within the pot with almost no chance of compacting.
Sponge Rock, Charcoal, Pine Bark mix, and Coconut Chips deliver an ideal balance of moisture, aeration, and nutrients for your young orchids to get their best chance at life.
Meanwhile, the addition of Peat Moss or Sphagnum Moss creates the best growing environment for phalaenopsis orchids.
The only thing users complain about this product is that it might attract bugs or gnats.
Product Specifications
Primary Ingredient(s) | Charcoal, Sponge Rock, Pine Bark, and Coconut Chips |
pH | 6.3-6.8 |
Container Size | 1 quart |
Feeds up to | 6 months |
Weight | 13.1 ounces |
Highlight Features | resealable, heavy-duty bag |
Perfect Plants Organic Orchid Potting Mix is widely used for all epiphytes and bromeliad variations.
Bonsai Tree Soil All-Purpose Blend - Best For Bonsai Trees
Pros:
- Contain more than 28 vital trace elements and minerals
- 100% Organic and All-Natural Bonsai soil
- Ready and easy to use
- Suitable for repotting
Cons:
- Too many wood chips
Next on our list of the best organic potting soil for plants, vegetables & herbs is the Bonsai Tree Soil All-Purpose Blend which is specially formulated as the best potting medium for virtually all kinds of Bonsai trees.
This soil’s composition is done with organic double-sifted compost mulch, vermiculite, calcined clay, and Frit. In short, it is highly fertile and great for the growth of all varieties of bonsais.
Some users report that this all-purpose mixture contains too many pure woods which cannot hold moisture well and fast dries out. So, don’t use too much water to irrigate your plants!
Product Specifications
Primary Ingredient(s) | 100% organic double-sifted compost mulch, calcined clay, vermiculite and Frit |
pH | N/A |
Container Size | 2 quarts |
Feeds up to | 6 months |
Weight | 1.95 pounds |
Highlight Features | 28 vital trace elements and minerals |
Bonsai Tree Soil All Purpose Blend is specially tailored for Jades, Junipers, Chinese Elms, and Ginseng Ficus as well as almost other Bonsai species.
Espoma SS8 Organic Seed Starter - Best For Seed Starting
Pros:
- Suitable for all seedlings and cuttings
- Promote roots’ growth
- Improve moisture retention
- Safe for use around pets
Cons:
- High price
The Espoma SS8 Organic Seed Starter is the best friend of both indoor and outdoor plants.
The unique formulation of sphagnum peat moss, peat humus, and perlite encourages roots to grow healthily while Espoma's proprietary Myco-tone addition which utilizes up to 11 strains of mycorrhizae increases nutrient & moisture uptake and reduce stress in your greens for more abundant blooms.
Though this seed starter is quite expensive, it is among the most versatile mixes to work for many applications from seed plantings to starting cuttings & seedlings.
Product Specifications
Primary Ingredient(s) | Sphagnum peat moss, peat humus, and perlite |
pH | N/A |
Container Size | 8 quarts |
Feeds up to | 6 months |
Weight | 4.9 pounds |
Fertilizer Analysis | 0.07 - 0.02 - 0.02 |
Highlight Features | Enhanced with Myco-tone & a zip-lock to keep air out |
Espoma SS8 Organic Seed Starter provides seeds with air, moisture, and nutrients for them to grow into healthy plants.
Espoma AV4 Organic African Violet Potting Mix - Best For Flowers
Pros:
- Improve aeration and water retention
- Aerate soil and promote root growth
- Work for all indoor flowering plants
Cons:
- Take time to see the result
Aside from the best care, African Violet needs a porous soil mix which is high in organic matter & airy so that the soil will not quickly dry out. And that’s exactly what the Espoma AV4 Organic African Violet Potting Mix has to offer.
Though this premium-quality soil is slightly more acidic than others, it delivers millions of nutrients & beneficial microbes essential for optimum plant health.
If there were one thing to complain about, it would be the time we have to wait to see the result. Some users reported that even after 2 weeks this product was applied, no benefit was spotted. The wonderfully shaped fuzzy leaves are well worth your time, though.
Product Specifications
Primary Ingredient(s) | Organic matter, sphagnum peat moss, peat humus, and perlite |
pH | N/A |
Container Size | 4 quarts |
Feeds up to | N/A |
Weight | 2.7 pounds |
Fertilizer Analysis |
|
Highlight Features | No chemicals or synthetic plant foods |
If you want to beautify your living or working areas with African Violets or other houseplants, be sure to get the Espoma AV4 Organic African Violet Potting Mix.
Organic Plant Magic Compressed Organic Potting Soil – Best For Garden & Plants
Pros:
- Easy to transport
- Expand to 7x the size when mixed with water
- Hold 50% more water up to 3x longer
- Safe for uses for pets and children
- Save water
Cons:
- Might attract tiny white bugs
Those in search of an alternative for peat moss can go for the Organic Plant Magic Compressed Organic Potting Soil which is formulated with worm castings coconut coir, and bacteria to help your plants nourish.
Some recommended applications with this versatile soil are germinating seeds, indoor & outdoor plantings, potted flowers, containerized bulbs, window boxes, etc.
Each bag of compressed potting mix can hold seven times of its volume in water so gardeners do not have to use much water for 3x bigger size plants.
What’s disappointing, though, is the sawdust texture which might be infested with bugs once water is added.
Product Specifications
Primary Ingredient(s) | 100% natural ground coconut coir, worm castings & beneficial bacteria |
pH | N/A |
Container Size | 4 quarts |
Feeds up to | Several months |
Weight | 2.0 pounds |
Fertilizer Analysis | N/A |
Highlight Features | Compressed soil |
If you have a large-sized garden or different containers with different plant species, the Organic Plant Magic Compressed Organic Potting Soil is a go-to solution.
FAQs
Is organic potting soil good for vegetables?
Whether it is soilless or soil-containing potting mix, the best one for your containerized vegetables should be well-aerated & well-drained with a pH almost neutral.
Does organic potting soil go bad?
As long as your organic potting mix does not have a disease issue, a bad insect problem or smell foul, you can successfully grow any plants you like.
Should I use organic potting soil?
Not only genetically engineered chemicals- and pesticide-free, but an organic potting mix also boasts more organic materials than any regular oil to make your plants thrive.
Can I reuse old potting soil?
All you have to do is to remove old vegetables & herbs from their pots, raised beds, planters, or containers, top the soil surface with the granular booster mix & fertilizer, and replant.
How often should you change potting soil?
Change it yearly or at least every two years.
Does organic soil have fertilizer?
As organic soil might contain manure – which is also considered as a “complete” fertilizer, it might have fertilizer.
Conclusion
If you find it a bit challenging to pick a proper soil for your greens, our brief list of the best organic potting soil for plants will make your search more effortless.
