This potting mix will now be more or less reusable, but make sure you clean the plastic or terracotta pot that you are using again, to remove all the residual salts from the pot that might have been left behind.

I would personally recommend that you DON’T throw away perfectly good (okay, maybe a little used and worn) potting mix at the end of every season— because used potting mixes can be refreshed and prepared for reuse, and well, that’s exactly what I’m here for. To use Wonder Soil, which has a slow-release form of nitrogen, you just transplant the plant and add the product. You also can use it to start an indoor plant from seed. The manufacturer recommends only a third of a cup for a 4-inch pot. This mix also doubles as a seed starter. Next, you need to store this reusable potting mix in a large, dry, lidded container. Excessive dampness in the soil or the container can allow pests to grow in it, so you must take care of that. 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. The basic recipe for DIY soilless potting mix is 2 parts peat moss or coco coir, 1 part compost, 1 part perlite or pumice, and a tablespoon (15 g.) of ground limestone if using peat moss.

More often than not, these potting mixes contain substances like peat moss, perlite, and vermiculite, which are all substances that you can switch up with the ideal soil type for your plant. Well, that’s just a way of putting it, because potting mixes do have an advantage that makes them a more preferable option to outdoor soil. The thing is, potting mixes reduce the chances of pest infestations and parasitic growth in the soil by a considerable degree. Certain plants might need acidic or alkaline soil, and in that case, curating an acidity or basicity that will particularly cater to your plant’s needs is of utmost importance.

That is why I took the liberty to give you the answers that you were looking for, concerning the kind of soil your houseplant needs, and where you might be able to efficiently access them. If you wish to make your own indoor potting mix for cuttings, use 1 part peat moss or coir combined with 1 part perlite or coarse sand. You can also root cuttings in moist vermiculite which has good water retention.Don’t forget that your plants also do well with a soil refresh. “Plants typically benefit from being repotted every 12 to 18 months, depending on how actively they are growing,” says Marino. “Some slow growers, like cacti, can call the same pot home for years but may require a potting mix replenishment (new potting mix or fertilizer to provide fresh nutrients - but not more space). The growing season, early spring through late summer, is usually the best time to repot your plants. Because your plants are actively growing during this time, they’ll get the most out of additional space and fresh nutrients.” This one is another very useful option when it comes to potting mixes, especially if you are looking for a loamy, rich texture for your outdoor, as well as indoor plants. It is an organic potting mix, and it is also pre-blended, which means that it will be delivered to you as a ready-to-use potting mix that will require no extra work! Some plants need clayey soil that sits tight and firm around the roots, while some other plants do not quite do well in these conditions, and may need soils that are more airy and loose.