Comparison: Best Soil To Plant In (Updated | Nov 11th)

Organic mixes, like the Back to the Roots blends, use natural ingredients such as yucca extract and peat‑free plant matter, which appeal to eco‑conscious gardeners and reduce greenhouse emissions. Synthetic mixes, such as Miracle‑Gro, often contain added fertilizers and perlite for faster nutrient release and improved aeration. Consider your priorities: sustainability and gentle feeding versus rapid growth and convenience.

The Miracle‑Gro mix combines perlite, sphagnum peat moss, and a built‑in fertilizer for quick nutrient availability and better drainage, while Back to the Roots uses a peat‑free, yucca‑based formula with mycorrhizal fungi to boost root development naturally. Miracle‑Gro is certified by the Mulch & Soil Council and is marketed to reduce gnats, whereas Back to the Roots emphasizes pet‑safe, organic ingredients and a lower carbon footprint. Choose Miracle‑Gro for fast results, or Back to the Roots for a greener, slower‑release approach.

Both the Miracle‑Gro Houseplant Potting Mix and the Miracle‑Gro Indoor Potting Mix are formulated without compost or bark, making them less attractive to fungus gnats. The Back to the Roots mixes also claim reduced gnat activity thanks to their bark‑free composition, but they lack the added perlite that helps improve drainage. If gnats are a major concern, the Miracle‑Gro options provide the most explicit gnat‑resistant claim.

Perlite, found in Miracle‑Gro mixes, creates air pockets that enhance water flow and prevent root rot, especially in heavier soils. Coconut coir, used in Miracle‑Gro Indoor and the expanding fiber soil wafers, holds moisture while still allowing excess water to drain, offering a balanced moisture environment. Both additives improve aeration, but perlite is lighter, whereas coir provides a slightly higher water‑holding capacity.

Miracle‑Gro mixes contain a quick‑release fertilizer that can boost growth up to twice as much within the first six months, according to the product claims. Non‑fertilized organic blends rely on natural nutrient cycles and mycorrhizal fungi, which may result in slower, steadier growth but with less risk of nutrient burn. If you want rapid, visible results, the fertilized Miracle‑Gro options are designed for that purpose.

Back to the Roots mixes explicitly state they are safe for pets and people, with no bark or compost that can harbor pests. Miracle‑Gro Indoor Potting Mix also avoids compost, reducing gnat risk, but it still contains peat and a synthetic fertilizer that some pet owners prefer to avoid. Overall, the Back to the Roots organic mixes provide the clearest pet‑friendly labeling.

The Back to the Roots 12‑quart Value packs and Miracle‑Gro 2‑bag bundles (each 16 qt.) both offer economies of scale, typically lowering the price per quart by 15‑20 % compared with single‑bag purchases. When calculating cost, include the number of containers each bag can fill; for example, a 12‑qt. bag fills roughly three 8‑inch pots, while a 16‑qt. bag fills one 12‑inch pot. This helps you assess true value based on your planting needs.

Snake plants thrive in well‑draining, low‑nutrient media; the Professional Snake Plant Soil (2.2 qt.) offers a non‑organic, aerated blend ideal for these succulents. Tropical foliage such as Monstera or Philodendron benefits from richer, moisture‑retentive mixes like Miracle‑Gro Houseplant Potting Mix or the Back to the Roots organic blends that contain mycorrhizal fungi and yucca extract. Match the plant’s water and nutrient preferences to the soil’s composition for optimal health.