This video shows you how to choose the best soil for repotting your houseplants. Find out why many soils aren’t the best choice for repotting houseplants. Discover what to look for in the best soil for repotting houseplants. What amendments and fertilizers to add to your houseplant soil for optimum indoor garden growth.
#healthyhouseplants #houseplantsoil #repottingtips #indoorplants #plantcareguide
[Music]
Hello and welcome to HealthyHouseplants.com, where we teach you all about gardening in the great indoors. Today’s video is sponsored by our Amazon affiliate link, which you’ll find in the description below. You will also see links to other videos mentioned in this tutorial, including parts of the repotting houseplants series.
This is Part 3 of the series, and today’s topic is choosing soil. Soil selection is one of the most important parts of the repotting process. The soil is home to the plant’s roots, and the health of the roots determines the health of the foliage and overall growth.
This is Marvin, the star of today’s video, and he will be getting repotted soon.
Choosing soil can be tricky because many commercial soils are primarily made of ground-up mulch—and some are almost entirely mulch. These mixes look chunky and bark-heavy. As shown in the demonstration, some mixes contain large pieces of bark and sand.
Many people think sand improves drainage, but too much sand actually holds excess water. This creates dense, heavy soil that can lead to root rot.
A better choice is a potting soil that contains perlite, like Pro-Mix BX—one of the best soils for houseplants. The white pieces in the mix are perlite, which improves drainage and prevents soil compaction.
Mulch-based soils break down over time, releasing gases that can negatively affect root health. While some decomposition is normal—especially when adding compost or worm castings—you don’t want constant decomposition occurring directly in the root zone.
Another excellent soil amendment is pumice, a lava rock that improves drainage and does not break down like perlite. If you start with a heavy, fine soil (not chunky bark mixes), you can add pumice to create a high-quality potting mix. A good starting ratio is ¾ soil and ¼ pumice, adjusting as needed.
Different plants have different needs.
Succulents require fast-draining soil, while plants like maidenhair fern prefer more moisture. Regardless, all roots need oxygen, so overly heavy soils can suffocate roots and cause rot.
Helpful added ingredients include:
Perlite or pumice for drainage
Green Gourmet Houseplant Food, which contains alfalfa meal—a natural growth hormone
Worm compost (vermicastings)
Mycorrhizae, microscopic fungi that form a symbiotic relationship with plant roots and help gather water and nutrients
Pro-Mix includes mycorrhizae, which is another reason it’s highly recommended. You can also add mycorrhizae to any soil mix you create.
When choosing soil, take your time. It’s an essential part of maintaining a healthy houseplant. And remember: never use outdoor soil from your yard for indoor or container plants. Yard soil is not suitable for container growing and can cause serious problems indoors.
Thank you for stopping by today! Please leave any comments or indoor gardening tutorial requests below, and remember to like, comment, subscribe, and share this video.
Choosing Soil for Houseplants FAQ
Why is choosing the right soil important for houseplants?
The soil determines root health, which directly affects the overall growth, foliage quality, and long-term survival of the plant.
What is the problem with mulch-heavy commercial soil mixes?
Mulch-based mixes often contain large bark pieces that continue decomposing, releasing gases that can harm roots and create unstable soil conditions.
Does sand improve soil drainage?
A small amount of sand is fine, but too much sand traps moisture and creates dense, heavy soil that may cause root rot.
What makes perlite a good soil amendment?
Perlite improves drainage, prevents soil compaction, and helps keep roots aerated, making it ideal for houseplant soil mixes.
Why is pumice recommended over perlite in some situations?
Pumice is a lava rock that does not break down over time, offering long-lasting drainage improvement in potting soil.
How much pumice should I add to heavy soil?
Start with a mix of three parts soil to one part pumice, then adjust based on how well the soil drains and the type of plant.
Which plants need fast-draining soil?
Succulents and other desert plants require quickly draining soil to prevent root rot and moisture stress.
What added ingredients are beneficial in potting soil?
Helpful additions include perlite, pumice, worm castings, alfalfa meal, and mycorrhizae for improved nutrients and root health.
What are mycorrhizae and why are they useful?
Mycorrhizae are microscopic fungi that form a symbiotic relationship with roots, helping them absorb more water and nutrients.
Can I use soil from my backyard for indoor plants?
No. Outdoor soil is not suitable for indoor containers because it compacts easily, drains poorly, and may contain pests or diseases.
One-time donation: https://ko-fi.com/healthyhouseplants
𝗢𝗻𝗲-𝗼𝗻-𝗢𝗻𝗲 𝗛𝗲𝗹𝗽 𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗛𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻𝘁𝘀: https://mailchi.mp/healthyhouseplants…
𝗦𝗶𝗴𝗻 𝘂𝗽 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗺𝘆 𝗺𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵𝗹𝘆 𝗻𝗲𝘄𝘀𝗹𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿: http://eepurl.com/g1PCSH
𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁 𝗺𝘆 𝘄𝗲𝗯𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗲: https://www.healthyhouseplants.com
𝗕𝘂𝘆 𝗺𝗲 𝗮 𝗰𝘂𝗽 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗲𝗮: https://ko-fi.com/healthyhouseplants
My Organic Green Gourmet Houseplant Fertilizer: Healthy Houseplants Store
My Perfect Pumice: Healthy Houseplants Store
My Healthy Houseplants Store: All Products
_______________________________________________
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. I may earn commissions for purchases made through the links below.
Promix potting soil link: https://amzn.to/3iVIrjE