Comparison: Best Dr Earth Organic Potting Soil (Updated | Nov 11th)
Earth Organic Potting Soil. But is it really the best out there? We’ve dug deep—literally—to compare its performance, ingredients, and value against top competitors. Let’s break down what makes Dr. Earth stand out (or fall short) and help you decide if it’s the perfect fit for your green thumb dreams.
- Best for microbe-boosted soil: Dr. Earth Gold Premium Potting Soil
- Best for all-purpose gold: Dr. Earth Pot of Gold All Purpose Potting Soil 8 qt
- Best for compact gold mix: Dr. Earth 818 Pot of Gold Soil
- Best for cactus succulent blend: Dr. Earth Exotic Blend Cactus & Succulent Potting Mix 8 qt
- Best for flower boost soil: Dr. Earth 847 Flower Girl Soil
- Best for outdoor organic mix: Miracle-Gro Organic Outdoor Potting Mix
- Best for gold fertilizer: Dr. Earth Premium Gold All Purpose Fertilizer 4 lb
- Best for premium cactus soil: Dr. Earth 810 Exotic Cactus & Succulent Soil
- Best for peat-free blend: Back to the Roots 100% Organic Potting Mix (Value 12 Quart) | Premium Blend | Made in The USA
- Best for expandable coco mix: WONDER SOIL Organic Potting Soil | Ready to Plant Coco Coir Fully Loaded with Nutrients | 3 LBS Bag Expands to 12 Quarts of Indoor Outdoor Soil for Gardens & Plants | Incl Worm Castings
Product Comparison: Best Dr Earth Organic Potting Soil
Dr. Earth Gold Premium Potting Soil, 8 Quart, Natural
- Soil comes in an 8 qt. bag, includes Pro-Moisture Hydrate, is OMRI listed, MycoApply certified and perfectly safe for both pets and people
- Formulated for both indoor and outdoor potting and container use, this soil is a perfect match for your herbs, vegetables, indoor gardens, all container plants and flowers
- You can use it as a soil amendment for the in-ground planting of trees, shrubs, bare roots, flowers and vegetables
- Soil is great for mulching, seed cover, indoor garden production, transplanting, compost use, soil Boosts and even clay soil applications
- Soil is loaded with quality organic ingredients and the welcome addition of TruBiotic soil microbes with both ecto and endo mycorrhizae
- Power source type: Corded Electric
Dr. Earth Pot of Gold All Purpose Potting Soil 8 qt
- 8 Quart Bag
- Ideal for herbs, vegetables, indoor gardens, container plants, flowers and all container plants.
- Use in any size container, both indoor and outdoor, including hanging baskets house plants and patio
- People and Pet safe.
- OMRI listed, Non-GMO Project Verified, CDFA OIM Registered
Dr. Earth 818 Pot of Gold Soil, Orange
- Organic soil, amended with our fertilizer, microbes and mycorrhizal, making it one of the Best on the market.
- Dr. Earth pot of gold all purpose potting soil, great for all of your small gardening needs.
- The aim of Dr. Earth is to offer many high quality products to customers and satisfy the needs of all customers. To achieve this, Dr. Earth will spend more time to design the products.
- Item Package Weight: 4.0 pounds
Dr. Earth Exotic Blend Cactus & Succulent Potting Mix 8 qt
- 8 Quart Bag
- Ideal for Cactus, succulents and all drought tolerant plants. Container plants love the mix.
- Excellent for use in container, both indoor and outdoor, including hanging baskets & house plants
- This blend has excellent drainage and water holding capabilities simultaneously.
- OMRI listed, Non-GMO Project Verified, CDFA OIM Registered
Dr. Earth 847 Flower Girl Soil, Magenta
- Organic soil, amended with our fertilizer, microbes and mycorrhizal, making it one of the Best on the market
- Package Dimensions: 10 L x 10 H x 4 W (inches)
- Power source type: Manual
- Package Weight: 4 pounds
- IMPROVES SOIL STRUCTURE: Mycorrhizal fungi create a living soil ecosystem that enhances root development, nutrient uptake, and overall plant health
Miracle-Gro Organic Outdoor Potting Mix, for Outdoor Container Plants, Contains Quick-Release Natural Fertilizer, OMRI Listed, 16 qt.
- 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)
Dr. Earth Premium Gold All Purpose Fertilizer 4 lb
- The only Non-GMO Project Verified fertilizer in the U.S.A.
- People & Pet Safe – no synthetic chemicals, GMO infested chicken manure or toxic ingredients.
- Handcrafted from human and feed grade ingredients. Enriched with multi-minerals, proteins, carbohydrates, humic acids & trace elements that promote the healthiest soils capable of growing the healthiest fruits and vegetables for your family.
- Organic Transparency; OMRI (Organic Material Review Institute), OIM (Organic Input Materials), CCOF (California Certified Organic Farmers), NOP (National Organic Program) and Non-GMO Project Verified the highest level of purity and transparency.
- Sustainably made in the U.S.A. through a collaboration of high level enviornmentalists inspired to positively change the world. Formulated by Milo Shammas, founder of Dr. Earth, to grow Home Grown Foods.
Dr. Earth 810 Exotic Cactus & Succulent Soil, 8 Quart, Natural
- Potting mix comes in an 8 qt. bag, is OMRI listed, perfectly safe for people and pets, and MycoApply certified
- Specifically formulated to meet the many needs of cactus, succulents, all drought-tolerant plants and even container plants, this mix can be applied to both indoor and outdoor planting projects
- With superior drainage and water holding features at your disposal, you’ll be surprised at just how many planting projects you can tackle in your garden
- You can apply the mix to containers, use it to enrich soils, clay soil, for transplanting and even compost tea
- This soil mix is formulated from a high-quality selection of composted organic materials that work to aid your plants in becoming established, like aged fir bark, TruBiotic, ecto and endo mycorrhizae
Back to the Roots 100% Organic Potting Mix (Value 12 Quart) | Premium Blend | Made in The USA
- 100% Organic and Peat-Free: Our potting mix is 100% organic and peat-free—made from upcycled plant matter and wood fines from across the U.S. No imported peat, just better soil with a lighter carbon footprint.
- All-Purpose: Our premium potting mix is versatile and well-suited for herbs, veggies, fruits, and flowers. It caters to all your gardening needs, and is proudly made in the USA.
- Better Moisture Control and pH Balance: Our premium soil blend incorporates yucca extract for moisture control and dolomitic limestone for pH balancing.
- 100% Satisfaction Guarantee: Not satisfied? Let us know. Our support team will get you growing with a replacement or refund—no questions asked.
- GROWONEGIVEONE — Share a photo of your growing garden and we’ll donate a Kids Grow Kit and STEM elementary school curriculum to a classroom of your choice.
WONDER SOIL Organic Potting Soil | Ready to Plant Coco Coir Fully Loaded with Nutrients | 3 LBS Bag Expands to 12 Quarts of Indoor Outdoor Soil for Gardens & Plants | Incl Worm Castings, Perlite
- NUTRIENT RICH & INDOOR/OUTDOOR FAST GERMINATION… Wonder Soil Premium Organic Potting Soil Mix is the only dry compressed coco coir mix with added amendments of worm castings, mycorrhizae, kelp, perlite and more! Grow your plants faster with stronger roots! Peat free, all natural, family and pet safe!
- A LITTLE DOES A LOT… your little BIG bag of compressed indoor potting soil & garden soil for outdoor plants expands to 4 TIMES THE SIZE when mixed with water; easy to carry & saves vital shed space.
- PRE-MIXED & READY TO USE ORGANIC POTTING MIX … Pre-mixed and ready to use organic potting soil and garden soil mix to help make your gardening or hobby growing a breeze. Simply transplant your desired plants into their new container and add our soil mix or pour our soil mix and plant your seeds.
- WATER RETENTION & DRAINAGE… Coco coir has excellent water retention with dependable drainage and aeration in the root zone. Save up to 50% of water, fertilizer, and seed!
- HEAVY DUTY RESEALABLE BAG… Use what you need and save the rest for later! Keeping your planting soil dry and safe!
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 prioritize when choosing an organic potting soil?
Look for OMRI certification, pet‑ and people‑safe ingredients, and the presence of beneficial microbes like mycorrhizae. Also consider the soil’s intended use—whether it’s for general container gardening, cactus and succulents, or outdoor beds—as formulations differ in drainage and nutrient content.
How does Dr. Earth Gold Premium Potting Soil compare to the Dr. Earth Pot of Gold All‑Purpose mix?
Both are 8‑quart, OMRI‑listed, and safe for pets and people, but the Gold Premium version adds Pro‑Moisture Hydrate and a higher concentration of TruBiotic microbes for enhanced root health. The All‑Purpose mix is a solid, versatile option for most container plants, while the Premium blend targets more demanding growers seeking extra microbial activity.
Is the Dr. Earth Exotic Blend for cactus and succulents better than the regular Dr. Earth Gold mix?
The Exotic Blend is formulated with superior drainage and water‑holding balance specifically for drought‑tolerant plants, whereas the Gold mix offers a more balanced nutrient profile for a wide range of vegetables and herbs. If you primarily grow cacti or succulents, the Exotic Blend will reduce the risk of root rot and promote healthier growth.
How does Dr. Earth’s organic soil stack up against Miracle‑Gro Organic Outdoor Potting Mix?
Dr. Earth soils emphasize microbial inoculants and mycorrhizal fungi, creating a living soil ecosystem, while Miracle‑Gro focuses on a quick‑release natural fertilizer and peat‑based composition. For gardeners who prefer a biologically active soil with long‑term nutrient cycling, Dr. Earth is typically the stronger choice.
What value does the Back to the Roots 12‑Quart Premium Blend offer compared to an 8‑quart Dr. Earth bag?
Back to the Roots provides a larger volume at a lower price per quart and is 100 % peat‑free, using upcycled plant material for a smaller carbon footprint. However, it lacks the specific mycorrhizal inoculants found in Dr. Earth blends, so if microbial enrichment is a priority, the smaller Dr. Earth bag may be worth the extra cost.
Should I buy a separate fertilizer like Dr. Earth Premium Gold All‑Purpose Fertilizer, or rely on the nutrients in the potting soil?
Dr. Earth potting soils already contain a balanced mix of organic nutrients and microbes, which is sufficient for most container gardening. Adding the Premium Gold fertilizer can boost yields for heavy‑feeding crops, but it’s optional and may be unnecessary for light‑to‑moderate growers.
Are there any notable differences in packaging or storage between the various Dr. Earth soils?
All Dr. Earth mixes come in 8‑quart bags with resealable features to keep the soil dry, but the Exotic Cactus & Succulent Soil (B01LN0T54M) highlights a MycoApply certification on the label, indicating extra care in microbial preservation. Storing any of these bags in a cool, dry place will maintain their microbial activity for longer periods.
Which product gives the best overall value for a beginner gardener who wants an all‑purpose organic mix?
The Dr. Earth Pot of Gold All‑Purpose 8‑quart bag offers a solid balance of price, certification, and microbial content, making it an excellent starter choice. It’s OMRI‑listed, non‑GMO verified, and safe for pets, providing peace of mind without the higher cost of premium blends.