Comparison: Best Dr Earth Potting Soil (Updated | Nov 11th)
But with so many varieties out there, how do you know which one’s right for your tomatoes, houseplants, or flower beds? We’ve dug into the details, tested different blends, and compared ingredients, performance, and value so you don’t have to. Let’s break down the top contenders and help you pick the perfect potting mix to grow healthier, happier plants—naturally.
- Best for microbe-rich gold: Dr. Earth Gold Premium Potting Soil
- Best for all-purpose gold: Dr. Earth Pot of Gold All Purpose Potting Soil 8 qt
- Best for succulent drainage blend: Dr. Earth 810 Exotic Cactus & Succulent Soil
- Best for organic orange blend: Dr. Earth 818 Pot of Gold Soil
- Best for outdoor nutrient boost: Miracle-Gro Organic Outdoor Potting Mix
- Best for exotic 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 gold fertilizer power: Dr. Earth Premium Gold All Purpose Fertilizer 4 lb
- Best for indoor water guard: Miracle-Gro Organic Indoor Potting Mix
- Best for acid-loving blend: Dr. Earth Acid Lovers Azalea
Product Comparison: Best Dr Earth 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 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
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
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 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
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.
Miracle-Gro Organic Indoor Potting Mix, Protects Against Over and Under Watering, for Indoor Container Plants, Houseplants and Starter Plants, OMRI Listed, 16 qt.
- Miracle-Gro Organic Indoor Potting Mix protects indoor plants against over and under watering
- This organic container mix is made with responsibly sourced sphagnum peat moss (one hundred percent of peat sourced from certified producers), coir, and quick-start natural fertilizer
- Use this potting medium with all types of indoor container plants, including houseplants and herbs; also great for seed starting
- To plant seeds, fill container with potting mix, follow seed package planting directions, and water; To use with transplants, partially fill container, place plant after loosening the root ball, cover with more mix pressing lightly, and water
- One 16 qt. bag of Miracle-Gro Organic Indoor Potting Mix fills one 12-inch container (amounts may vary based on the size of the root ball)
Dr. Earth Acid Lovers Azalea, Camellia, Rhododendron & Maple Planting Mix – 8 Quart
- Natural and Organic Hand Crafted Blend
- Great for acid loving plants such as Azaleas, Camellias, Rhododendrons, And Maples
- No synthetic ingredients or GMO infested chicken manure
- Contains TruBiotic beneficial soil microbes & mycorrhizae, contributing to drought tolerance, enhanced nutrient availability & increased performance.
- Sustainably made from premium, food grade ingredients, contributing to water purity and a reduction in green house gas emissions.
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 a potting soil for indoor versus outdoor gardening?
Look at drainage and water‑holding capacity, as indoor plants often need a finer, moisture‑retentive mix while outdoor containers benefit from faster drainage. Check for certifications like OMRI and Non‑GMO Project Verified to ensure organic integrity, and verify if the blend includes beneficial microbes such as mycorrhizae for healthier root systems. Finally, match the soil’s nutrient profile to the plant type—herbs and vegetables need richer blends than succulents.
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 pet‑safe, but the Gold Premium version adds Pro‑Moisture Hydrate and a higher concentration of TruBiotic microbes, giving it superior moisture retention and microbial activity. The All Purpose mix is a solid, versatile choice for most container plants, while the Premium blend is geared toward gardeners seeking extra nutrient boost and enhanced soil biology.
Which Dr. Earth product is best for cactus and succulent growers?
The Dr. Earth 810 Exotic Cactus & Succulent Soil and the Dr. Earth Exotic Blend Cactus & Succulent Potting Mix are both formulated for drought‑tolerant plants, offering excellent drainage and water‑holding balance. The 810 mix emphasizes a high‑quality composted organic base, while the Exotic Blend highlights non‑GMO verification and a slightly lighter texture, making either a strong choice depending on personal preference.
Is there a noticeable value difference between Dr. Earth soils and Miracle‑Gro organic mixes?
Dr. Earth soils are typically sold in 8‑quart bags and focus on organic microbes and mycorrhizae, providing long‑term soil health benefits that can reduce the need for additional fertilizers. Miracle‑Gro organic mixes come in larger 16‑quart bags, include a quick‑release natural fertilizer for up to two months, and may offer a lower price per cubic foot, but they lack the same level of microbial inoculation found in Dr. Earth products.
Do any of these potting soils include built‑in fertilizer, and how does that affect plant feeding schedules?
Miracle‑Gro Organic Outdoor and Indoor mixes contain a quick‑release natural fertilizer that feeds plants for about two months, allowing for less frequent feeding. Dr. Earth soils generally do not contain added fertilizer; instead, they rely on organic nutrients and microbial activity, so growers may need to supplement with a separate organic fertilizer if higher nutrient demand arises.
What advantages do the mycorrhizal fungi in Dr. Earth soils provide over standard potting mixes?
Mycorrhizal fungi form a symbiotic relationship with plant roots, improving nutrient uptake, especially phosphorus, and enhancing drought tolerance. This biological boost can lead to stronger, faster‑growing plants and reduces the need for chemical fertilizers, making Dr. Earth blends a more sustainable long‑term solution compared to mixes without microbial inoculants.
How important is the OMRI listing when selecting a potting soil?
An OMRI listing confirms that the product meets strict organic standards, which is crucial for gardeners who want to avoid synthetic chemicals and maintain organic certification for their produce. All Dr. Earth soils and the Miracle‑Gro organic mixes are OMRI‑listed, providing confidence that the ingredients are natural and safe for both people and pets.