How Does Potting Material Affect Your Plant?

Growing healthy plants involves choosing the right growing medium for success. A standard bag of potting soil won’t work for all varieties, so you need to know the specific needs of each plant type to choose the right growing mix for their needs.

Is Potting Soil the Same as Gardening Soil?

Despite its name, potting soil isn’t actually soil at all. Rather, it’s a blend of different materials designed to support and nourish a plant. In contrast, gardening soil is made from the decomposing plant material and natural rocks and minerals that have broken down over time. It also tends to be less nutrient-rich and is prone to fungal issues.

So, while gardening soil works well for outdoor plants, it pays to be picky for indoor varieties by choosing planting mixes that minimize problems in the long run.

Components of Potting Soil

The right soil mix is rich in nutrients but still allows for proper drainage and provides plenty of space for roots to develop. Here are some of the most popular options available today.

  • Peat moss: Harvested from peatlands, peat moss is the partially decomposed sphagnum moss that died thousands of years ago. It's cheap, lightweight, and offers excellent drainage.
  • Limestone: Pulverized limestone helps neutralize high pH levels, especially in potting mixes with lots of peat moss.
  • Sand: Designed to add some weight and drainage to potting soil, sand is often added to cacti and succulent blends.
  • Coconut hulls (coir fiber): This natural material is a byproduct of the coconut industry and works similarly to peat moss.
  • Perlite: Tiny shards of heated volcanic glass, perlite keeps potting soil from getting too dense and heavy.
  • Vermiculite: Another volcanic material, this lightweight material works like perlite but also holds moisture in the soil.
  • Pine bark: This material doesn't offer much in the way of nutrition, but it adds soil structure and creates air space for roots.

Note: Most pre-made potting mixes will include a blend of multiple material types to get the best attributes of each.

Pay attention to the planting labels that come with your houseplants. Most will specify whether a specific soil type is needed or whether you can work with an all-purpose potting soil.