Comparison: Best Compost For Pot Plants (Updated | Nov 11th)
With so many options out there, from peat-based blends to eco-friendly alternatives, choosing the best compost can feel overwhelming. We’ve tested top contenders to help you find the perfect mix for healthy roots, vibrant blooms, and thriving herbs or veggies. Let’s dig into the dirt and discover which compost truly earns its place in your pots.
- Best for fast-acting starter: Jobe’s Organics Fast Acting Granular Fertilizer Compost Starter
- Best for odor-free blend: Charlie’s Compost – Odor Free Organic Fertilizer for Home Gardens
- Best for odorless cow manure: Brut Cow Compost – Nutrient-Rich Composted Cow Manure Organic Soil Amendment – 100% Pure Compost
- Best for pure plant-based: Old Potters Organic Compost – Plant Based Potting Soil – Home
- Best for container veggie mix: Purple Cow Organics All Purpose Veggie Mix
- Best for compact citrus boost: Down To Earth All Natural Fertilizers Organic Citrus Mix – Plant Food for Lemons
- Best for large fabric komposter: Smart Pots 12120 Compost Sak Fabric Composting Container
- Best for earthworm castings: Coast of Maine OMRI Listed Wiscasset Blend Earthworm Castings Compost Potting Soil Blend for Container Gardens and Flower Pots
- Best for instant compost tea: Organic Instant Compost Tea (1 lb) – Probiotic Plant Food Bloom Booster & Yield Booster for Hydroponics & All Gardening Types | Microbial Formula Converts Amino Acids for Enhanced Growth (1
- Best for fishless humus fertilizer: Fishnure – Humus Fish Compost Fertilizer for Indoor Plants
Product Comparison: Best Compost For Pot Plants
Jobe’s Organics Fast Acting Granular Fertilizer Compost Starter, Easy Plant Care Compost Accelerator, 4 lbs Bag
- Organic compost starter speeds up the composting process and is ideal for outdoor compost piles
- Compost accelerator is formulated with a 4-4-2 NPK to provide vegetables, plants, and flowers nutrients they need for a high yield and vibrant foliage
- Jobe’s organic compost starter contains no synthetic chemicals and is OMRI listed for organic gardening by the USDA
- Compost starter is easily applied and should be used every 4-6 weeks or as needed
- Jobe’s Organics provides a wide variety of plant fertilizer and soil amendments to give gardens the right amount of nutrients without over fertilizing
Charlie’s Compost – Odor Free Organic Fertilizer for Home Gardens, Raised Beds, Containers, Seed Starting Mix, Natural Soil Amendment with Biochar 10lb
- ENRICHED SOIL CONDITIONER: Our compost is a perfect soil amendment, adding essential nutrients and improving soil structure for healthier plant growth. Also works great for your seed starting mixes.
- ODOR-FREE COMPOST: Experience hassle-free composting with our specially formulated low-odor compost. n Perfect for urban gardeners, apartment dwellers, our compost allows you to nourish your plants without worrying about strong odors. Whether you’re using it indoors or in a compact outdoor garden, you can maintain a fresh and clean environment while enriching your soil naturally.
- ORGANIC COMPOSTER BOOST: Enhance your home composter’s efficiency with our organic compost, rich in microorganisms that break down organic matter quickly.
- VERSATILE USE: Ideal for garden beds, potted plants, and lawns, our compost is a versatile addition to any gardening regimen, ensuring robust plant health.
- COMPOST TEA READY: Create nutrient-rich compost tea with our compost; it’s the perfect liquid fertilizer for a natural, sustainable boost to your garden’s vitality.
- CONTINUOUS NUTRIENT RELEASE: Charlie’s Compost provides a slow, steady release of nutrients, ensuring your plants have a consistent supply for optimal growth.
- EASY-TO-USE: Our compost comes in a convenient 10lb bag, making it easy to apply directly to your soil or compost bin without any mess.
- FAST-ACTING FORMULA: With a specially formulated blend, our compost works quickly to enrich your soil, ensuring your plants get the benefits sooner.
- ODOR-REDUCED COMPOSTING: Enjoy a more pleasant composting experience with our low-odor compost, making it suitable for urban and small-space gardeners.
Brut Cow Compost – Nutrient-Rich Composted Cow Manure Organic Soil Amendment – 100% Pure Compost, Additive-Free Fertilizer for Vegetable Gardens, Flowers, Lawns & Indoor Plants – 10 Quart
- NUTRIENT-RICH GROWTH: Premium cow manure compost packed with nitrogen, calcium, and iron. This organic compost fertilizer enriches soil, boosts microbial life, and supports bigger vegetables, greener lawns, and thriving flowers.
- PURE COMPOSTED COW MANURE: Made only from thoroughly composted cow manure, carefully aerated and tested for safety. No additives, just pure organic manure for plants. Finely sifted texture makes it ideal compost soil for indoor and outdoor gardening.
- NO ODOR, NO BURNS: Brut is odor-free and safe for all plants. Gentle on roots, eliminating the risk of plant burn. A trusted compost for plants, seedlings, houseplants, and delicate blooms indoors or outdoors.
- VERSATILE SOIL AMENDMENT: Perfect for potted plants, shrubs, and vegetable gardens. Use as a top dressing, mix into compost soil for outdoor plants, or enrich organic soil for garden beds. Works as garden compost and manure fertilizer for plant growth.
- CERTIFIED ORGANIC: Our Cow Compost is OMRI listed, representing true organic excellence and bringing the power of nature’s nutrients directly to your plants’ roots. Eco sustainable resorce for your gardening enjoyment!
Old Potters Organic Compost – Plant Based Potting Soil – Home, Garden Fertilizer – Complete Food – Boosts Plant Growth – Use for Indoor and Outdoor Farming ~25 lbs (24 Quarts)
- 100% Organic & Chemical-Free – Made from natural plant-based materials, safe for all types of gardens.
- Boosts Soil Health – Improves aeration, water retention, and nutrient availability for stronger plants.
- Eco-Friendly & Sustainable – Supports sustainable gardening by recycling organic waste into rich compost.
Purple Cow Organics All Purpose Veggie Mix, 1 Cubic Foot Bag, Organic Chemical-Free & Ready to Use Plant Based Compost Blend for Vegetable Gardens, Containers & Planter Pots, Raised Bed Boxes
- IT’S ORGANIC! Feel good about the hearty and flavorful veggies you grow in this organic and all-natural blend. Purple Cow Organics Veggie Mix is OMRI listed and used by professional organic growers!
- FOR CONTAINERS! Limited space? You can still have a garden! Veggie Mix is a ready-to-use mix, just fill the container and plant your seedlings
- COMPOST BASED! This mix contains all the essential plant nutrients and beneficial organic matter you’d receive when using our compost
- INCLUDES FERTILITY! We’re starting you off with enough fertility for those lighter feeders; for heavier feeders use with BioActive All-Purpose Fertilizer for best results
- PAIRS WELL! For best results use with Purple Cow Organics LiquiLife and Purple Cow Organics BioActive Supercharger
Down To Earth All Natural Fertilizers Organic Citrus Mix – Plant Food for Lemons, Limes, Oranges and Avocados 6-3-3, 1 lb
- Balanced Organic Nutrition – Supplies a 6‑3‑3 NPK ratio along with calcium, sulfur, iron, and zinc to foster healthy foliage, flowering, and fruit.
- Crafted from Premium Natural Sources – Includes feather meal, fish bone meal, alfalfa meal, langbeinite, basalt, potassium sulfate, zinc sulfate, kelp, and humic acids derived from leonardite for enhanced nutrient uptake.
- OMRI-Listed for Organic Use – Certified for organic gardening, ensuring no synthetic additives—a great match for organic or sustainable gardens.
- Mini Box, Maximum Flexibility – Compact 1 lb packaging is ideal for small-scale use, raised beds, containers, or trial applications before committing to larger sizes.
- Easy Application Schedule – Apply 3–4 times a year—late winter, late spring, and early fall—by spreading around the drip line or mixing in fresh soil at planting or repotting.
Smart Pots 12120 Compost Sak Fabric Composting Container
- 100 gallon (12 cubic foot) capacity
- An affordable, convenient and efficient way to recycle kitchen scraps and yard waste into nutrient rich, beneficial garden compost
- Package Weight: 1.315 kilograms
- Aeration and water (but not too much) are two of the key components to successful composting
Coast of Maine OMRI Listed Wiscasset Blend Earthworm Castings Compost Potting Soil Blend for Container Gardens and Flower Pots, 20 Quart
- You will receive (1) 20 quart bag
- Rich blend of the digested soil left behind by earthworms
- Makes the nutrients in the soil more available to plants, as well as adding improved water retention
- Odorless and finely textured, making it easy to top dress houseplants
Organic Instant Compost Tea (1 lb) – Probiotic Plant Food Bloom Booster & Yield Booster for Hydroponics & All Gardening Types | Microbial Formula Converts Amino Acids for Enhanced Growth (1, Pounds)
- NO BREWING REQUIRED: Mighty Plant Instant Compost Tea is 100% Water Soluble and requires no compost brewing. Simply add water, stir, and it’s ready for use as a root drench or foliar spray, embodying ease of use with 100% organic and high-quality natural ingredients.
- POWERFUL BIOLOGICALS: Upon activation in water, it releases potent biologicals that convert amino acids into essential organic molecules, significantly benefiting root zones, growth, and yields without any fillers.
- HIGHLY ADVANCED FORMULA: This formula is a culmination of extensive research, incorporating microbes, specific amino acids, along with Kelp and Yeast Extracts. It’s designed to enrich root zone biology sustainably.
- ECONOMICAL & EFFICIENT: One pound of this powerful formula can produce up to 160 gallons, while a 5 oz package yields up to 50 gallons of Compost Tea, making it a cost-effective solution for any gardening scale.
- ORGANIC FACTORY: A relentless producer of beneficial organic molecules, it works continuously to enhance plant vigor, health, growth, and yield, ensuring your garden thrives.
- HYDROPONICS OR CONVENTIONAL GARDENING: Whether you’re utilizing hydroponics or traditional gardening methods, this compost tea seamlessly integrates into your irrigation system without clogging emitters and is compatible with all Feeding Chart components.
- CONSISTENT RESULTS: Say goodbye to the unpredictability of compost tea brewing. Our formula guarantees uniform quality with each use, thanks to the pharmaceutical-grade brew media.
- VERSATILITY UNMATCHED: Mighty Plant Instant Compost Tea is unparalleled in its application flexibility. It’s perfectly suited for farms, gardens, landscapes, and sports turf, promoting robust growth across all plant types.
- MADE WITH PRIDE IN USA: Made in Sparta, Tennessee by family members.
- Get Stronger, Healthier Plants Now! Your plants go to Bloom Booster – Whether you’re a beginner or expert gardener, this instant compost tea ensures explosive growth, resilient plants, and unbeatable yields—start feeding your garden today!
Fishnure – Humus Fish Compost Fertilizer for Indoor Plants, Outdoor Houseplant Fertilizer Supports Natural Production of Plant Food for Houseplants, Gardening Essentials, Gardener Gifts, 8 lbs
- Odor & Chemical-Free Humus Fish Fertilizer for Large Areas: Our fish fertilizer for plants is a compost soil conditioner with no fishy smell. Each 8-lb bag of fertilizer for indoor plants covers up to 60 sq ft per pound, making it ideal for gardens/lawns.
- Enhances Yield and Resilience : Create a thriving environment for your plants with this dry alternative to a fish emulsion fertilizer. Our fertilizer for grass and other plants promotes resilience and better absorption of plant nutrients.
- Garden & Houseplant Fertilizer for Better Aeration: Keep your plants’ soil well-aerated with this liquid fertilizer alternative. Whether used alone or with compost worms, our slow-release garden fertilizer encourages microbial activity.
- Supports Soil Fertility & Water-Holding Capacity: An OMRI-listed fertilizer, Fishnure creates a long-lasting humus soil that won’t decompose further. This dry option for fish emulsion is an effective rose fertilizer, bonsai fertilizer, and more.
- Highly Concentrated Indoor/Outdoor Plant Growth Solution: Our compost soil fish manure fertilizer for plant pots or garden beds delivers consistent results. An ideal hormone and antibiotic-free vegetable fertilizer, it effectively supports lush growth.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Buying Guide
FAQs
What key factors should I consider when choosing compost for pot plants?
Look for a product that is organic, odor‑free, and formulated for container use. Nutrient balance (NPK) and added micronutrients help sustain healthy foliage and root growth. Also check for OMRI certification to ensure the compost meets organic gardening standards.
How does Jobe’s Organics Fast Acting Granular Fertilizer compare to Brut Cow Compost?
Jobe’s provides a quick‑release 4‑4‑2 NPK blend that speeds up nutrient availability, while Brut Cow Compost offers a slower, natural release of nitrogen, calcium, and iron from fully composted manure. Jobe’s is ideal for fast results and frequent applications, whereas Brut excels in long‑term soil structure improvement and microbial activity. Both are OMRI listed, but Brut is odor‑free and safer for delicate indoor plants.
Is odor a concern when using compost for indoor pots?
Yes, strong smells can be unpleasant in indoor environments. Products like Charlie’s Compost and Brut Cow Compost are specifically marketed as odor‑free, making them better choices for apartments or indoor gardening. Odor‑free formulations usually indicate thorough composting and lower volatile organic compounds.
Which compost offers the best value for small container gardening?
Old Potters Organic Compost provides a 100 % plant‑based, chemical‑free blend that improves aeration and water retention at a modest price point, ideal for a few pots. For a slightly higher cost, Charlie’s Compost adds versatility with a ready‑to‑make compost tea, but the basic organic amendment from Old Potters often delivers the most bang for the buck in small‑scale setups.
How important is OMRI certification when selecting a compost product?
OMRI certification guarantees that the product meets organic standards and contains no prohibited synthetic chemicals. This is especially valuable for gardeners who follow organic practices or have pets and children. While not mandatory, choosing OMRI‑listed compost like Jobe’s, Brut Cow, or Purple Cow ensures consistent quality and regulatory compliance.
Can I use instant compost tea as a liquid fertilizer for my potted plants?
Yes, instant compost tea such as the Mighty Plant formula dissolves in water and can be applied as a root drench or foliar spray. It delivers a concentrated dose of beneficial microbes, amino acids, and kelp without the need for brewing. This makes it a convenient, fast‑acting supplement for container plants that need a quick nutrient boost.
What are the benefits of earthworm castings versus cow manure compost for pots?
Earthworm castings, like those in the Coast of Maine blend, are fine‑textured, odorless, and rich in readily available nutrients, improving water retention and root uptake. Cow manure compost, such as Brut, provides higher nitrogen and calcium levels and helps build soil structure over time. Both are organic, but castings are gentler for seedling‑level plants, while manure excels for vigorous growth of larger containers.
How do I decide between a ready‑to‑use potting mix and a compost amendment?
A ready‑to‑use mix, like Purple Cow Veggie Mix, offers convenience and a balanced nutrient profile right out of the bag, ideal for beginners or quick planting. Compost amendments, such as Charlie’s Compost or Jobe’s starter, let you customize nutrient levels and improve soil biology, which can be more cost‑effective for experienced gardeners. Consider your time, skill level, and whether you prefer a plug‑and‑play solution or the flexibility of tailoring soil composition.