The Best Potting Soil for Indoor Plants – If you’ve been growing plants for any amount of time, you’ve probably realized that the right potting soil can make all the difference between a fruitful planting and one that suffers from root rot, black mold, and other problems.
If you’ve ever tried to plant flowers or vegetables in soil that was less than ideal, you know how important it is to have the right potting soil for your plants.
What is the difference between a soil blend and an instant soil?
Soil blends are soils that contain both sand and organic matter. Soil mixes can range from 50/50 to 60/40.
The term instant soil refers to fertilized soils that are ready to plant in. Immediate soil is not mixes but natural loams that contain sand and organic matter and are created through a process called composting or sifting.
How to tell if your potting soil is mixed properly
One of the first things you should do when you buy a bag of potting soil is to check the bag for any moisture content. If the product has not been watered since you got it, then it is likely too dry for your plants.
If the product is too moist, you can either add more soil or waterless. If the soil is too dry, you will most likely end up with lumpy soil that your plants will not be able to maintain an optimal moisture level in.
Bacteria in potting soil: What can you do about it? If your plants are getting sick or nutrients are not being supplied properly, it is worth checking into where the problem is. Unfortunately, checking the soil can be a time-consuming and difficult process.
- The good news is that there are ways to neutralize the problem before it reaches a point where your plants are affected. You can try these tips:
Add a food preservative – You can add dried fruit, vegetables, or vegetables that have been stored in syrup or a similar syrup. - Add beneficial bacteria to the air – You can put a piece of cloth in a room with a humidifier and provide a balanced, healthy airflow.
- Add essential oil to the soil – You can add 1/4 cup of essential oil per 2 cubic feet of soil.
What is the best quality potting soil for indoor plants?
There are many different types of potting soils that you can use for indoor plants. Some of the most popular are hydroponics and soil-less Activated Charcoal.
We recommend starting out with hydroponics or soil-less compost as it is the easiest to use. Make sure you purchase hydroponics or soil-less compost so that you can integrate it into your growing routine easily. If you’re interested in using an Activated Charcoal (A.C.) water Mist for indoor plants, we recommend reading this article first.
How to store your potting soil
When you buy a bag of potting soil, you’re typically guaranteed to get a month’s supply. This should be enough time to make sure you have the proper amount for your planned garden.
You can either keep it in a covered container or a plastic bag. If you’re not planning on using the soil within a month, you can always add more bagged soil to the existing bag and store it in the refrigerator.
🎯 Complete your knowledge by reading: Outdoor Plants for Your Home Garden
Conclusion
Although it can be tempting to rely on store-bought potting soil for your indoor plants, they can often contain poor quality soil and may not be up to standards set by organic growers. Mistreating your soil can have negative effects on both your plants and your wallet. Poorly-mixed soil can cause uneven saturation, lead to organic matter losses, and result in nutrient-poor soil.
While it can be difficult to know what quality potting soil to use for your indoor plants, the best is guidance from experts like yourself at The Urban Farming Store. Use the best potting soil for your plants and you will have much better results.***
