Potted Planting Mediums Choosing Containers And Composts For Houseplants

What are the best pots to use for indoor plants?
What is the best potting mix for containers?
How do you choose soil for indoor plants?
Is there a difference between potting soil and container soil?
Why is the color of plant pots important?
Which is better clay pots or plastic pots?
Should you put rocks at the bottom of a planter?
Can I mix garden soil and potting mix?
Is potting mix good for indoor plants?
Is Miracle Gro potting mix good for indoor plants?
Can I use multi purpose compost for indoor plants?

What are the best pots to use for indoor plants?

Terra-cotta is the perfect choice for plants that like dry or well-aerated soil, including cacti, succulents, orchids and bromeliads. Most houseplants don't thrive in standing water, so your pot needs a drainage hole at the bottom that allows water out and air in.

What is the best potting mix for containers?

Peat moss absorbs as much as 30 times its own weight in water, while coco coir can absorb nine times its weight. These attributes make them good base materials, but your plants need a balance to ensure that excess water drains away. Perlite helps ensure that plant roots get enough moisture, but not too much.

How do you choose soil for indoor plants?

When picking or making a potting mix, look for a combination of soilless mediums such as peat moss, coir (coconut) fiber, wood fiber, vermiculite, perlite, and/or sand. Houseplants need to have room in their soil for root growth, aeration, and proper drainage.

Is there a difference between potting soil and container soil?

potting mix: Though these terms are used interchangeably, there is a difference. Potting soil may or may not contain soil, while potting mix is strictly a soilless medium. Potting mix is sterile, which makes it safer for plants because it doesn't contain pathogens such as fungus or other diseases.

Why is the color of plant pots important?

The color of plant pots is important because it can play a role in how much heat the pots will retain. Dark-colored pots will absorb more sunlight and retain heat longer than light-colored ones.

Which is better clay pots or plastic pots?

Plastic pots hold water better than clay. Some research shows that they stay moist nearly twice as long as clay pots. But this is a disadvantage for many home gardeners who tend to over-water. Many folks will remember that I have always said that more plants are killed by kindness than neglect.

Should you put rocks at the bottom of a planter?

A: For years, experts told gardeners to put a layer of gravel, pebbles, sand or broken pieces of pot in the bottom of the pot before potting up houseplants or outdoor plants. The idea was to improve drainage. But research shows that this advice is wrong. Water doesn't travel well from one medium to another.

Can I mix garden soil and potting mix?

Potting soil can be mixed with garden soil for particular cases such as raised beds, but it's not a good mix for containers. Learn more about these different types of soil and how to use them in various types of gardens.

Is potting mix good for indoor plants?

Potting mix is different from outdoor soil. It's best to use potting mix for any indoor plants. Use one that gives your plant roots the preferred air, moisture and nutrition balance it needs. Soil from the outdoors is heavy and is best used for outdoor gardening.

Is Miracle Gro potting mix good for indoor plants?

“When I'm taking care of somebody else's plants, the Miracle Grow potting mix is great,” says Medlin. She uses it for both indoor and outdoor plants and “across the board for almost every plant that I take care of for my work” — including traditional house plants, seedlings, and even the occasional succulent.

Can I use multi purpose compost for indoor plants?

A multipurpose compost, houseplant compost or loam-based compost will be suitable for most indoor plants.