Comparison: Best Potting Mix Compost (Updated | Nov 11th)
In this comparison, we’ll break down the top contenders, weighing ingredients, texture, moisture retention, and real results to help you pick the perfect blend for your pots, planters, and window boxes. Let’s dig in and find your garden’s new favorite soil.
Editor’s Choice
Best for a specific purpose
- Best for organic outdoor feed: Miracle-Gro Organic Outdoor Potting Mix
- Best for odor-free blend: Michigan Peat Compost and Manure Blend
- Best for pet-safe indoor: Back to the Roots 100% Organic Indoor Potting Mix (Value 12 Quart) | Promotes Healthy Houseplant Growth| Made in The USA
- Best for biochar power mix: Wakefield Premium Biochar Blend – Organic Potting Soil for Vegetables
- Best for 6-month indoor feed: Miracle-Gro Indoor Potting Mix
- Best for eco-friendly compost: Old Potters Organic Compost – Plant Based Potting Soil – Home
- Best for high-yield moisture: Organic Mechanics Premium Blend Potting Soil
- Best for carbon boost indoor: Wakefield Biochar Potting Mix & Indoor Plant Soil – Potting Soil Indoor Plants w/CarbonBoost Technology – Organic Compost
- Best for reusable container soil: Organic Mechanics Container Blend Potting Soil
- Best for fertilized houseplant mix: Miracle-Gro Houseplant Potting Mix: Fertilized
Product Comparison: Best Potting Mix Compost
Organic Outdoor Feed
Miracle-Gro Organic Outdoor Potting Mix, for Outdoor Container Plants, Contains Quick-Release Natural Fertilizer, OMRI Listed, 16 qt.
Miracle-Gro
- Miracle-Gro Organic Outdoor Potting Mix contains a quick-release natural fertilizer and also feeds plants for up to 2 months
- This potting mix is made with responsibly sourced peat (one hundred percent of peat sourced from certified producers)
- Use this organic potting mix with all types of outdoor container plants, including flowers, vegetables, herbs, annuals, and perennials
- To plant in pots, fill the container partially full with potting mix, place the plant in the pot after loosening the root ball, cover with more mix and water thoroughly
- One 16 qt. bag of Miracle-Gro Organic Outdoor Potting Mix fills one 12-inch container (amounts may vary based on the size of the root ball)
Odor-Free Blend
Michigan Peat Compost and Manure Blend, Garden Magic Mix with Odor-Free Blend, 40 Lbs – Outdoor Lawn and Gardening Mixture with Nutrients and Minerals for Soil Potting and Planting
Garden Magic
- Organic Compost Blend: Enhance the nutrient content and soil quality of lawns and raised garden beds with this organic blend, promoting healthy plant growth and soil vitality
- Ready-to-Use Mixture: Pre-prepared with odorless organic reed sedge peat and composted animal manure, this blend is ready to use immediately for all your gardening needs
- Essential Nutrients for Plant Growth: Packed with vital nutrients, this blend supports the healthy growth of flowers, vegetables, and grass, ensuring strong, vibrant plants
- Versatile for Gardening: Perfect for improving potting soil in planters or raised beds, making it an ideal choice for gardeners enhancing their container gardening projects
- Convenient 40-Pound Bag: Each 40-pound bag covers approximately 0.75 cubic feet, providing ample material for small-scale gardening and soil enrichment tasks
Pet-Safe Indoor
Back to the Roots 100% Organic Indoor Potting Mix (Value 12 Quart) | Promotes Healthy Houseplant Growth| Made in The USA
Back to the Roots
- FORMULATED FOR INDOOR USE: Our Potting Mix contains organic yucca extract that aids in retaining moisture in the soil whichs keeps your indoor plants happy and healthy
- ROOT-BOOSTING MYCORRHIZAE: This beneficial soil component provides your plants with a natural, organic way to boost their root development and nutrient uptake
- ORGANIC AND PEAT-FREE: Our indoor potting mix helps reduce greenhouse emissions and environmental impact, making it a responsible choice for conscious consumers
- BALANCING DOLOMITIC LIMESTONE: Balances the alkalinity and acidity levels of the soil, which ensures that your plants receive the necessary nutrients from the potting mix to grow healthy and strong
- SAFE FOR PETS AND PEOPLE: Made without bark or compost, this potting mix is less prone to indoor gnats and pests, making it a worry-free option for your indoor gardening needs
Biochar Power Mix
Wakefield Premium Biochar Blend – Organic Potting Soil for Vegetables, Tomatoes & Gardens – Potting Mix Enriched with Humic Acid & CarbonBoost – Versatile Top Soil for Indoor & Outdoor Plants-4quarts
Wakefield Biochar
- Engineered for Superior Garden Performance: Wakefield’s premium potting soil with biochar, for outdoor plants with Humic acid, and our proprietary CarbonBoost technology, delivering optimal conditions for vibrant, sustained growth. Ideal for everything from raised beds to patio containers, this advanced formula supports healthy root systems whether you’re cultivating juicy tomatoes or leafy herbs.
- Enhanced Root Health and Nutrient Absorption: Formulated as a powerful soil amendment and effective soil conditioner, this advanced biochar blend supports healthy microbial ecosystems for optimized nutrient uptake and improved aeration. Whether you’re cultivating hardy vegetables or delicate herbs, it strengthens root development and enhances long-term fertility. Perfect for gardeners looking to elevate top soil for garden quality or enrich topsoil for vegetable garden beds.
- Smart Water Retention Meets Drainage Balance: Designed with advanced hydration control, this organic vegetable soil helps maintain ideal moisture levels while preventing overwatering. A great fit for container gardening and raised beds, it also works as a reliable soil mixer for sensitive environments. Use it indoor or outdoor, this blend functions beautifully as potting soil for plants.
- 100% Organic, Eco-Conscious Formula: Crafted without synthetic additives, this blend provides a sustainable, chemical-free base for clean cultivation. Ideal for anyone growing vegetables and herbs at home. It performs exceptionally as a gardening soil for vegetables and supports vibrant harvests. Whether you’re using it as a nutrient-rich indoor soil potting mix or as dependable outdoor potting soil, it delivers lasting results.
- Versatile, All-Purpose Growing Medium: From raised beds to balcony containers, this blend adapts effortlessly to diverse planting styles. Whether you’re cultivating with potting soil for outdoor plants, enriching topsoil in open plots, or managing delicate herbs indoors, Wakefield delivers consistent performance. It’s equally effective as indoor plant soil and supports lush growth in compact setups requiring high-quality indoor potting soil.
6-Month Indoor Feed
Miracle-Gro Indoor Potting Mix, Blended for a Variety of Houseplants, Feeds for up to 6 Months, 16 qt., 2-Pack
Miracle-Gro
- Miracle-Gro Indoor Potting Mix feeds houseplants for up to 6 months and is designed to be less prone to gnats (contains no compost or bark, which are known to shelter fungus gnats)
- This potting mix contains coconut coir, which holds and releases water and helps soil re-wet
- Where to use: Blended for a wide variety of indoor container plants, including climbing, foliage, flowering, and tropical plants
- How to use: To use, fill a container about 1/3 full with potting mix; add more mix after placing your plant in the pot
- What’s included: This bundles includes two 16 qt. bags of Miracle-Gro Indoor Potting Mix, each able to fill one 12-inch containers (exact amount may vary based on the root ball size)
Eco-Friendly Compost
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)
Old Potters
- 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.
High-Yield Moisture
Organic Mechanics Premium Blend Potting Soil, 8 qt – Moisture-Retentive, Peat-Free, Compost – Enriched Mix with Worm Castings & Perlite for Houseplants, Annuals, Veggies & Tropical Plants
Organic Mechanics
- Moisture-Retentive, Peat-Free Potting Soil – Retains moisture longer than peat-based soils, reducing watering frequency and promoting strong root development
- Ideal for Houseplants, Flowers, Annuals, and Tropicals – Perfect for small to mid sized containers, transplants, window boxes, small-space gardening, and for any plant that wants better moisture-retention
- Rich in Organic Matter for Healthy, Thriving Plants – Contains compost, aged pine bark, coconut coir, perlite, and worm castings. Encourages beneficial biology in the root zone for a happier, healthier plant!
- Harvest Twice as Much – Research trials show that this soil can produce up to twice the tomato yield compared to conventional potting soil
- Fertilizer-Friendly Blend – Combine with fertilizer at planting time for optimal plant performance, growth, and yield
Carbon Boost Indoor
Wakefield Biochar Potting Mix & Indoor Plant Soil – Potting Soil Indoor Plants w/CarbonBoost Technology – Organic Compost, Pine Bark, Worm Castings – Garden Dirt – 4 Quart
Wakefield Biochar
- CarbonBoost Technology: Harness the power of activated biochar to capture and retain essential macro- and micronutrients, balance pH, and deliver nutrients slowly over weeks. This dynamic planting soil enhances water absorption, cutting down on frequent watering and fertilizer runs, while sustainably sourced biochar improves soil structure. Well-designed to stand out in the market. Perfect for thriving houseplants, succulents, and herbs.
- Smart Moisture Management: Our unique system combines high-surface-area biochar with natural fiber substrates to wick away excess water and hold it within microscopic pores. This advanced formula is used for indoor potting soil, while delivering the benefits of premium organic potting soil and organic soil for vegetable garden. Ideal as tierra para plantas for herbs and veggies alike. It prevents waterlogging and root rot by releasing moisture back to the roots whenever needed.
- Professional Indoor Growing Solution: Formulated for growers of all levels, from beginner herb gardeners to advanced plant enthusiasts, this chunky soil mix for plants excels in any container, from small ceramic pots to large decorative planters. Our blend outperforms typical garden soil for vegetables, gardening soil, house plant soil, and ordinary plant dirt. It’s the ultimate potting soil for vegetables, herbs, and ornamental plants.
- Indoor Plant Soil for All Varieties: Wakefield’s versatile houseplant soil delivers the perfect balance for every indoor plants. Use it as an advanced potting mix, optimal snake plant soil, or tropical potting mix. Enhanced for potting soil succulents, this indoor plant soil supports thriving growth in pothos, peace lilies, philodendrons, herbs, and a wide range of edible and ornamental indoor plants.
Reusable Container Soil
Organic Mechanics Container Blend Potting Soil, 16 qt – All-Purpose, Peat-Free, Well-Drained Blend with Compost, Rice Hulls, and Worm Castings for Growing Annuals, Perennials, Woody Plants
Organic Mechanics
- All-Purpose Container Blend – Organic potting soil for repotting houseplants, fast-growing annuals and filling containers
- Balanced Moisture and Drainage – Retains moisture while draining well – ideal for flowers, vegetables, and woody plants that need consistent, healthy root support
- Premium Natural Ingredients – Contains compost, aged pine bark, coir, worm castings, and rice hulls for improved aeration, structure, and nutrient delivery
- Reusable & Long-Lasting – Does not break down as quickly as peat-based mixes, allowing you to reuse it – simply fluff the mix back up, remove any large root balls, refresh with fertilizer, and replant
- Fertilizer-Friendly Blend – Combine with fertilizer at planting time for optimal plant performance, growth, and yield
Fertilized Houseplant Mix
Miracle-Gro Houseplant Potting Mix: Fertilized, Perlite Soil for Indoor Gardening, Designed to Be Less Prone to Gnats, 4 qt.
Miracle-Gro
- Growing indoors is easy under the right conditions; Miracle-Gro Houseplant Potting Mix combines key elements plants need to thrive
- Recommended for growing beautiful indoor houseplant varieties like Pothos, Spider Plants, Monstera, Philodendron, English Ivy and more
- This indoor plant soil is less prone to gnats, thanks to the combination of perlite, sphagnum and peat moss that’s just right
- Certified by the Mulch & Soil Council as a quality product in compliance with industry standards
- A single 4-qt bag fills an 8-inch container; for even more spectacular results, start regular feedings with Miracle-Gro Plant Food 30 days after planting
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 should I look for when choosing a potting mix for indoor plants versus outdoor containers?
Indoor mixes should prioritize moisture retention, low odor, and resistance to fungus gnats, often using coconut coir or peat‑free formulas. Outdoor mixes benefit from added slow‑release fertilizers and organic matter that improve drainage and nutrient supply over time. Consider the plant type, container size, and whether you need a quick‑release feed or a long‑term soil conditioner.
How do the Miracle‑Gro Indoor and Outdoor mixes differ in nutrient delivery?
The Indoor mix feeds houseplants for up to six months with a quick‑release blend and includes coconut coir for water management, while the Outdoor version contains a natural fertilizer that lasts about two months for container gardens. Both are formulated to reduce gnats, but the Outdoor mix adds peat for added structure. Choose the Indoor mix for prolonged indoor feeding and the Outdoor for a fast boost in garden beds.
Is a peat‑free potting soil worth the extra cost?
Peat‑free mixes, like those from Back to the Roots and Organic Mechanics, use coconut coir, perlite, and composted bark to retain moisture longer and lower environmental impact. They often cost slightly more but provide better aeration and reduce the risk of over‑watering. If sustainability and long‑term moisture control are priorities, the premium is justified.
What advantages does a biochar‑enhanced blend offer compared to standard compost mixes?
Biochar blends, such as Wakefield’s Premium Biochar Blend and Biochar Potting Mix, improve soil structure, increase water‑holding capacity, and slowly release nutrients through their high surface area. They also help balance pH and support beneficial microbes, leading to healthier root systems. For vegetable growers or long‑term container gardeners, the added yield and reduced watering can offset the higher price.
How do I compare value for money across the different bag sizes and coverage?
Check the volume each bag fills: a 16‑qt Miracle‑Gro bag typically fills a 12‑inch pot, while a 40‑lb Michigan Peat Compost covers about 0.75 cubic feet. Calculate the cost per cubic foot or per container to see which offers the best bulk price. Often larger bags like the 40‑lb or 12‑qt value packs provide a lower cost per unit, but ensure the formulation matches your planting needs.
Are any of these mixes formulated to reduce pest problems like fungus gnats?
Yes, several mixes avoid compost or bark that harbor gnats, including Miracle‑Gro Indoor Potting Mix, Miracle‑Gro Houseplant Mix, and Back to the Roots Indoor Mix. These products use coconut coir, peat, or peat‑free blends that are less attractive to gnats. Selecting a gnat‑resistant formula can save you from extra pest control measures.
What are the key environmental considerations when picking a potting mix?
Look for products that use responsibly sourced peat, peat‑free alternatives, or recycled organic waste, such as Miracle‑Gro Organic Outdoor Mix (certified peat) and Old Potters Organic Compost (plant‑based, chemical‑free). Biochar mixes also offer carbon sequestration benefits. Choosing an eco‑friendly mix supports sustainable gardening while still delivering strong plant performance.