Comparison: Best Potting Soil Plus (Updated | Nov 11th)
Not all mixes are created equal, and “**Best Potting Soil Plus**” has been making waves among gardeners and plant lovers alike. In this comparison, we’ll dig into what sets it apart, how it stacks up against top competitors, and whether it’s truly worth the hype for your leafy friends. Spoiler: your plants might just thank you.
- Best for gnat-resistant indoor: Miracle-Gro Houseplant Potting Mix: Fertilized
- Best for all-purpose soil: Michigan Peat 40 Pound Bag Garden Magic Organic Planting Potting Top Soil Blend Mix for Indoor and Outdoor Gardening and Landscapes
- Best for organic outdoor feed: Miracle-Gro Organic Outdoor Potting Mix
- Best for six-month bloom: Miracle-Gro Potting Mix
- Best for premium forest blend: FoxFarm Ocean Forest Potting Soil
- Best for peat-free organic: Back to the Roots 100% Organic Potting Mix (Value 12 Quart) | Premium Blend | Made in The USA
- Best for moisture control: Miracle-Gro Moisture Control Potting Mix
- Best for indoor water balance: Miracle-Gro Organic Indoor Potting Mix
- Best for coir moisture retention: Miracle-Gro Indoor Potting Mix
- Best for bulk outdoor mix: Miracle-Gro Organic Outdoor Potting Mix
Product Comparison: Best Potting Soil Plus
Miracle-Gro Houseplant Potting Mix: Fertilized, Perlite Soil for Indoor Gardening, Designed to Be Less Prone to Gnats, 4 qt.
- 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
Michigan Peat 40 Pound Bag Garden Magic Organic Planting Potting Top Soil Blend Mix for Indoor and Outdoor Gardening and Landscapes, White
- Ready-to-Use for All Planting Needs: This general-purpose potting mix is ready to use out of the bag, making it perfect for both indoor and outdoor planting without any additional preparation
- Optimal Moisture Retention & Drainage: Designed to allow excess water to drain effectively while retaining moisture, promoting healthy plant growth during dry seasons
- High-Quality Soil Blend: Features a dark blend of reed sedge peat, perlite, and sand, offering the best conditions for plant health and soil structure
- Perfect for All Gardeners: Developed for both new and experienced home gardeners, this soil mix enhances plant growth in various environments and gardening projects
- Improves Soil Quality: Ideal for loosening heavy clay soils and enhancing moisture in light soils, making it perfect for use as a top dressing to fill holes in lawns and garden beds
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)
Miracle-Gro Potting Mix, For Container Plants, Flowers, Vegetables, Annuals, Perennials, Shrubs, Feeds for up to 6 Months, 16. qt., 2-Pack
- Miracle-Gro Potting Mix feeds container plants for up to 6 months so you get more blooms for more color (vs. unfed plants)
- How to use: To use this potting medium, fill a container about 1/3 full with potting mix, place your plant in the soil, and fill the rest of the pot, pressing lightly
- What’s included: This bundles includes two 16 qt. bags of Miracle-Gro Potting Mix, each able to fill one 12-inch container (exact amounts may vary based on root ball size)
- Where to Use: Use this home gardening product with all types of container plants, including annual and perennial flowers, vegetables, herbs and shrubs
- This potting soil mix Grows Plants Twice As Big (vs. unfed plants)
FoxFarm Ocean Forest Potting Soil, 12qt – Light, Aerated Texture, Designed for All Container Plants – pH Adjusted for Optimal Nutrient Uptake, Effectively Retains Moisture (12 Quart (1 Pack))
- ALL-IN-ONE POTTING SOIL SOLUTION: FoxFarm ocean forest potting soil is a blend designed to give your plants everything they need to thrive. Ideal for container plants, this planting soil provides optimal nutrient and soil aeration
- MOISTURE-LOCKING NUTRIENT BLEND: This organic potting soil for plant is packed with aged forest products, sphagnum peat moss, earthworm castings, bat guano, and fish emulsion, each ingredient enhances moisture retention and nutrient uptake
- TOP-NOTCH SOIL FOR EVERY PLANT: From roses and shrubs to seedlings and trees, this garden soil supports vigorous growth and branching. This outdoor & indoor plant soil’s pH-adjusted blend promotes healthy, lush foliage for all plant varieties
- YOUR GO-TO SOIL FOR ALL MEDIUMS: Our potting soil mix is perfect for container gardens, houseplants, and outdoor setups. Ocean plant versatile blend provides a balanced environment for robust growth, ensuring your plants thrive in any setting
- CONVENIENT SOIL READY TO USE: This houseplant potting soil is ready to use out of the bag, no additional ingredients are needed. Use for planting or top-dressing, with the optional pairing of FoxFarm liquid fertilizers for enhanced growth all season
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.
Miracle-Gro Moisture Control Potting Mix, For Container Plants, Protects against Over- and Under-Watering, 8 qt., 2-Pack
- Miracle-Gro Moisture Control Potting Mix feeds plants for up to 6 months and Grows Plants Twice As Big! (vs unfed plants)
- This potting medium protects against over and under watering; also absorbs up to 33% more water than basic potting soil* with exclusive AquaCoir Formula (*soil that does not contain sphagnum peat moss, coir, and wetting agent)
- Use this gardening product with all types of container plants, including flowers, vegetables, annuals, perennials, and shrubs
- To use this potting soil, fill a container about 1/3 full with potting mix; place your plant in the pot and cover with more mix
- This bundle comes with two 8 qt. bags of Miracle-Gro Moisture Control Potting Mix; each fills two 8-inch containers (exact amounts may vary depending on the size of the root ball)
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)
Miracle-Gro Indoor Potting Mix, Blended for a Variety of Houseplants, Feeds for up to 6 Months, 16 qt., 2-Pack
- 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)
Miracle-Gro Organic Outdoor Potting Mix, for Outdoor Container Plants, Contains Quick-Release Natural Fertilizer, OMRI Listed, 25 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 25 qt. bag of Miracle-Gro Organic Outdoor Potting Mix fills three 10-inch containers (amount may vary based on the size of the root ball)
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 consider when choosing a potting mix for indoor houseplants?
Look for a blend that offers good drainage, moisture retention, and low susceptibility to fungus gnats. Mixes with perlite, coconut coir, or AquaCoir help prevent over‑watering, while added fertilizer can reduce the need for frequent feeding. Also check if the product is certified organic if you prefer natural ingredients.
How does Miracle‑Gro Indoor Potting Mix differ from the Miracle‑Gro Organic Indoor version?
The standard Indoor mix uses a proprietary AquaCoir formula with a quick‑release fertilizer that feeds for up to six months, whereas the Organic Indoor mix relies on responsibly sourced peat, coir, and a natural fertilizer that also protects against over‑watering. The organic version is certified peat‑free and may appeal to eco‑conscious gardeners, while the conventional mix emphasizes rapid growth and gnats resistance.
Is FoxFarm Ocean Forest a good all‑purpose soil compared to Miracle‑Gro blends?
FoxFarm Ocean Forest is an all‑in‑one, organic blend rich in aged forest products, bat guano, and fish emulsion, providing a nutrient‑dense environment for both indoor and outdoor plants. Miracle‑Gro mixes generally include a synthetic quick‑release fertilizer for faster results, but may require supplemental feeding for long‑term health. Choose FoxFarm if you want a premium organic mix with higher nutrient content, and Miracle‑Gro for convenience and faster feeding cycles.
Which potting mix offers the best value for large container gardening?
Miracle‑Gro Potting Mix (two 16‑qt bags) and the Miracle‑Gro Organic Outdoor Mix (25‑qt bag) both fill multiple 12‑inch containers and include built‑in fertilizer, giving good cost per volume. FoxFarm’s 12‑qt bag is pricier per quart but provides a higher organic nutrient profile. If budget is primary, the standard Miracle‑Gro packs deliver the most square footage for the price.
Can I use the same potting mix for both indoor and outdoor containers?
While some mixes, like the Miracle‑Gro Indoor blend, are formulated to reduce gnats and work well inside, outdoor mixes such as the Organic Outdoor or FoxFarm Ocean Forest contain higher organic matter suited for harsher external conditions. Using an indoor‑specific mix outdoors may lead to faster drying and less nutrient retention, so it’s best to match the product to the environment.
What are the benefits of peat‑free mixes like Back to the Roots?
Peat‑free mixes reduce environmental impact by using upcycled plant material and wood fines, and they often include pH‑balancing agents like dolomitic limestone. They provide comparable moisture control to peat‑based soils while offering a lighter carbon footprint. This option is ideal for gardeners seeking sustainable alternatives without sacrificing performance.
How important is the included fertilizer in a potting mix?
A built‑in fertilizer can simplify care by delivering nutrients for several weeks or months, which is especially helpful for beginners or busy gardeners. However, mixes without fertilizer, such as some organic blends, give you more control over nutrient schedules and avoid the risk of over‑fertilization. Consider your willingness to add supplemental feedings when evaluating value.