Knowing the difference between these two planting options can help your plants thrive.
Unfortunately, using the wrong one can impact how well your plants grow.
What Is Potting Mix?
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Potting mix isn’t soil at all, and it contains no actual dirt or earth.
Common ingredients in a potting mix include coir, moss, perlite, andvermiculite.
Potting mix may also contain fertilizers and other ingredients to help support the health of your plant.
The materials in potting mix are meant to help promote growth.
They’re sterile, so there are no harmful bacteria, fungi, weed seeds, or other contaminants.
Potting mix also helps provide an optimal environment for potted plants with plenty of drainage to avoid root rot.
Even if the potting mix includes fertilizers, they won’t feed your houseplants forever.
You’ll want to continuefertilizing your plantsregularly to help them thrive.
What Is Potting Soil or Garden Soil?
Another way to tell the difference?
Pick up the bag!
Basically, if you’re planting in containers, potting mix is what you need.
Different products offer different blends of materials that are ideal for different types of plants.
Once opened, the soil should be used within a year for best results.
Yes, you’re able to reuse potting mix.
Just double-check the plants grown previously in it were healthy.
These two types of soil are used for different purposes and should not be used interchangeably.
Topsoil is too heavy for container gardening and won’t allow for proper drainage.
Additionally, potting mix does not offer a good long-term solution for your landscaping needs.
