I’ve been growing indoor plants most of my life, and I’m pretty sure I’ve used just about every type of retail houseplant soil mix in existence. It always amazes me how different they can be, depending on what brand you buy.

Despite the heaps of nutrients, the mix is lightweight and offers plenty of aeration, allowing for effective moisture retention. We also like that Foxfarm product support specialists can assist one-on-one with providing detailed information on each potting soil and suggest the best one for your plants.Remove the plant: Carefully take the plant out of its current pot. You may need to tilt it sideways or gently tap the base to ease the roots out. Typical orchid composts, suitable for popular orchid species such as Phalaenopsis or Cymbidium, contain a mix of bark chips, peat moss and perlite. The organic compounds in these composts gradually decay so it is recommended that you re-pot orchids with fresh compost every one or two years, depending on the growth of the plant. Carnivorous plants compost Both perlite and pumice can be used to root cuttings as they are sterile. Some growers are using only pumice or perlite for their cuttings and are very successful with it. Pumice is also lightweight although slightly heavier than perlite. It is often used for cacti and succulents.

Consider using insecticidal soap or neem oil: These are natural methods of pest control, safe for most houseplants. I like to prepare compost for soil for houseplants by baking moist compost in the sun. Or, you can use an oven and let it run for at least thirty minutes at 180 degrees F (82 degrees C). Warning, this method does get a little stinky! Oranges, lemons and kumquats… citrus plants create an atmosphere reminiscent of warmer climes in our homes. Whether you’re providing an annual springtime top-dressing of compost or repotting the entire plant, a specialist mix will keep citrus in tip-top condition. Peat-free Westland Citrus Potting Mix is rich in loam, which helps to retain nutrients and boost fruit development. While the formulation is optimised to provide the perfect balance of nutrients for hungry citrus plants. The blend contains Seramis granules, too, which absorb water and nutrients then gradually release them. This creates the perfect growing conditions. Cacti and SucculentsThe number of terms used when discussing houseplant compost can be a little confusing at first. So if you’re not sure how to choose the right compost for your plants, this article will guide you towards to the best choice for your houseplants. Credit: image by annrkiszt is licensed under CC BY 2.0

Another way to ensure drainage is to use either a houseplant compost and mix in some horticultural grit. This can be especially useful for cacti and succulents that need very good drainage. Just mix some horticultural grit in to make gritty soil with good drainage. This will help improve the soil for your houseplants and keep them thriving. Keep an eye onthe top layer Unwanted Food or Drink Products - Once supply conditions are broken, there are a number of factors outside of our control that can affect the quality of a product. Therefore perishable goods such as food and drink cannot be returned. Trim if necessary: If the roots are excessively long or look unhealthy, trim them slightly before moving your plant to its new home. Determine the plant's grow pot diameter. Compare this to the size of the opening of your chosen decorative pot and ensure it is big enough to insert the plant's grow pot through the opening (see diagram below).

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If you want to get more nitty gritty, you can keep in mind what type of plants you are potting,” says Erin Marino, Editorial Lead at The Sill. “Different plants may prefer different potting mix ingredients.” Ingredients vary across the indoor potting soil spectrum, with some being exceptionally light on variety, and others containing moisture-absorbing materials such as coconut coir or moss. Rich ingredients, including bat guano, sea minerals, humus, and earthworm castings, are ideal for heavy feeders, among them flowers, herbs, and vegetables. This is the ‘richest’ John Innes potting mix, with three times the level of nutrients as No. 1. This potting mix is intended for houseplants that will remain in their pots for some considerable time, as well as established shrubs or trees including fruit bushes and vines. It is also good for strong growing, heavy feeders such as tomatoes and chrysanthemums.

Hydroculture plants - These require a hydro kit for assembly, this includes a waterproof pot liner with a base wide enough to accommodate the hydroculture grow pot. The size tip provided for each hydroculture plant provides a recommended size for the external diameter of the decorative pots that will accommodate the specified waterproof liner. Vermiculite increases the porosity of your potting soil, providing magnesium and calcium and increasing the water-holding capacity of your mix. 1 Cation Exchange Capacity in Vermiculite. (2021, March 30). Dicalite Management Group. Retrieved March 14, 2023, from https://www.dicalite.com/2021/03/cation-exchange-capacity-vermiculite/ 6) Fertilisers Different types of houseplants have their own unique requirements, which is why making your own DIY soilless potting mix can come in handy. A DIY soilless potting mix can be adjusted to include more or less of a particular ingredient depending upon plants’ needs. Isolate new plants: When you bring a new plant home, keep it separate from your other plants for a week or two. This will prevent any potential spread of pests or diseases.For the soil, a simple mix of standard garden compost and sharp sand is sufficient and cheap,” says Ralph. Peat-free compost: For the environmentally conscious plant owner, peat-free compost is a great alternative. This type of compost, often made from coir or wood fibres, is sustainable and provides a similar texture to traditional peat-based composts. However, for germinating seeds, you'll require a soil mix specifically for them, as this will contain more nutrients and help the seeds grow. For more exotic plants such as cacti or orchids, you'll require an even more specific soil mix. The perfect potting soil should be made from well-draining, porous materials between one-sixteenth and an inch in size.