Potting Mix reviews from Reddit
Summary
We analyzed 134 Reddit reviews across 20 subreddits and 40 posts to rank the best Potting Mix brands recommended by redditors, including communities like r/GardeningAustralia, r/houseplants, r/Aroids, r/NativePlantGardening, r/succulents. Top-rated brands include Miracle-Gro (3.5/5), Perlite (4.9/5), Fox Farm (4.5/5).
Stats
Reviews134
Subreddits20
Posts40
Brands66
Products64
134 reviews from
and
By Brand
/By Product
#1
Miracle-Gro
3.5
(20)
"I had a bag of miracle grow soil I used part of, wrapped up, and put it in my storage tote. After microwaving it, I have no issues with bugs on that plant."
"I've used Miracle-Gro for years and it works great with added orchid bark and perlite."
"Adding MG perlite makes the soil chunky and airy."
"I use all Miracle-Gro products for my soil mix, and they work great when combined with perlite and orchid bark."
"MG orchid bark is essential for improving soil aeration."
"I just use the standard Miracle Grow potting mix and mix in decomposed granite and perlite for the Lavender, Rosemary, and Olive trees. I've never had an issue."
"Miracle grow is fine. It's easy to mix your own just add some more perlite or get a bag of orchid mix."
"Miracle gro is great for plants."
"I’ve used miracle grow most of my growing time."
"The Miracle-Gro stuff will work just fine. I would add a little extra drainage to it like more perlite."
#2
Perlite
4.9
(7)
"I recommend picking up some perlite as well to mix in."
"Great addition to improve soil aeration and drainage."
"Mix 6 parts coir, 2 parts perlite."
"Mixing perlite with peat improves drainage."
"Perfect for improving soil aeration and drainage."
"Perfect for improving soil aeration and drainage."
"My big containers and gardenbeds also get between 1/4 to 1/3 of a 50/50 mix of perlite and vermiculite."
#3
Fox Farm
4.5
(6)
"I bought it commercially and love it."
"I use Fox Farm Ocean Forest soil and add additional perlite to the soil."
"Start with a really good quality mix, something like Fox Farm Ocean Forest. Compared to potting mix like Miracle-Gro, the difference is substantial."
"It is expensive but the only one that I use out of the bag if I am in a hurry or don't want to make a mess."
"Then switched to Fox Farm, now we're peat free and have had good results with this too."
"Reliable potting mix from local stores."
#4
Promix
4.3
(6)
"I've never encountered bugs in my bales of soilless medium and I've used well over 15000 cubic feet of it in my life."
"It's super duper sterile. Fav soil"
"Promix is popular and widely available."
"I used it for my seedlings and I really liked it."
"It works great and never has bugs (yet)."
"Try one part promix and one part compost and you won’t be disappointed."
#5
Searles
4.8
(4)
"Either Searles premium (blue and white bag) or osmocote (Orange bag). No need for anything more than this."
"Works better than straight Searles but you got to mix it all up."
"I like Searles premium potting mix"
"I prefer the searles orchid mix, much more chunky and airy."
#6
Osmocote
4.0
(4)
"I like the osmocote compost with perlite and Coco coir."
"Most of my plants seem to go well in the pots, particularly the tomatoes and cucumbers."
"Osmocote.. any of their premium mixes."
"Mixing cow manure with Osmocote and worm castings shows some growth after 4 weeks."
#7
Ocean Forest
5.0
(3)
"Ocean Forest is a great 'hot' soil option."
"Excellent quality soil that promotes strong root development."
"High quality potting mix mixed with perlite for light and well-draining soil."
#8
Coco Coir
4.7
(3)
"I sub coco coir for peat in this recipe and it turns out nice."
"Using coco coir and perlite with compost has made my succulents happier."
"I've seen others mention using coco coir in the mix as well, with less potting soil."
#9
Soil Ninja
4.7
(3)
"Never had such good roots than with pon."
"They have a really good range of specific mixes for all types of houseplants."
"Soil ninja you need to add fertiliser."
#10
Daltons
4.3
(3)
"I've had bloody amazing germination and seedling success with Daltons Premium Potting mix"
"So that's a nother vote for daltons premium potting mix,,, gotta be the good stuff."
"Daltons do have a seed raising mix, but you don't really need it. The premium potting mix is suitable for seeds and clones right up till harvest."
#11
Miracle Grow
4.3
(3)
"Great mix for indoor plants, providing excellent drainage and nutrients."
"Miracle grow for a budget option."
"The mix of peat moss, pine bark, and garden soil works well for my plants."
#12
Coconut Coir
3.7
(3)
"I would personally use coconut coir as opposed to the peat moss due to the environmental concerns."
"There are potting mixes that are peat free if you are looking for something that has nutrition in it."
"Holds moisture well but has little to no nutritional value."
#13
Green Life
5.0
(2)
"Combining their veggie concentrate with a standard potting mix is great."
"I love the square foot mix from Green Life soils."
#14
Fox Farms
5.0
(2)
"I use Fox Farms Ocean Forest as my base soil mix and add perlite, orchid bark and coco coir."
"Fox Farms is another excellent 'hot' soil brand."
#15
Bonsai Jack
4.5
(2)
"I have used Bonsai Jack Succulent soil for years and love it!"
"Bonsai Jack offers organic material that helps keep succulents alive."
#16
Pro Mix
4.5
(2)
"The plants went bananas!"
"Pro Mix makes quality products, I use their professional line at work."
#17
Sphagnum Moss
4.5
(2)
"Sphagnum moss enhances moisture retention."
"Sphagnum moss retains moisture well."
#18
Miracle Gro
4.0
(2)
"This is totally fixable if you get a bag of perlite and/or orchid bark."
"I used to use Miracle Gro and it did fine too."
#19
Cactus Mix
4.0
(2)
"Basically you want a light airy mix that drains well and won't cause root rot."
"Whatever store bought cactus mix you buy, I always amend it."
#20
FoxFarm
4.0
(2)
"I think I’ll try some Ocean Forest with bark, perlite and some vermiculite and see what happens."
"My Raven ZZ is in a mix of Fox Farm Ocean mix and vermiculite. It's currently pushing out a ton of shoots."
#21
Aldi
4.0
(2)
"I haven't had a problem with the Aldi stuff so far and it's a lot cheaper."
"They periodically have potting mix for $5 a bag which is a lot better than the cheap options at Bunnings."
#22
Happy Frog
4.0
(2)
"Great mix of soil and perlite for healthy plant growth."
"Happy frog is alright, a lot of peat moss, not much else, I like to mix happy frog with a product like their ocean forest."
#23
Vermiculite
4.0
(2)
"Vermiculite helps retain moisture effectively."
"My big containers and gardenbeds also get between 1/4 to 1/3 of a 50/50 mix of perlite and vermiculite."
#24
Coast of Maine
4.0
(2)
"As you're in NYC, you should have access to coast of Maine, who I hear makes good compost."
"Worked well for my plants."
#25
Garden Basics
3.0
(2)
"Some people hate on here hate the Garden Basic, but every weekend at Bunnings all around Australia people buy it pallet after pallet load."
"I have used the garden basics $5 ones and my seeds still sprouted."
#26
Amazon
3.0
(2)
"The outdoor grow lights are effective for providing the necessary light for my plants."
"Amazon is charging twice the price of other stores."
#27
Rocky Point
5.0
(1)
"Alternatively, Rocky point is a great brand and their potting mix is my personal choice."
#28
SA Composters
5.0
(1)
"If in South Australia, the SA Composters potting mix is the absolute best."
#29
Better Gro
5.0
(1)
"Better Gro Orchid Moss from Lowes is super cheap and really good."
#30
Molly's Aroid Mix
5.0
(1)
"I spent the money on Mollys aroid mix and everyone is thriving."
#31
Searles Organic Potting Mix
5.0
(1)
"Searles Organic is bloody amazing."
#32
M.M Basics
5.0
(1)
"This is the one I use and really love it."
#33
Coco coir
5.0
(1)
"Soak coir blocks in a weak thrive solution."
#34
Brunnings
5.0
(1)
"I like the Brunnings (note the r) Vege Mix in the red bag."
#35
Cactus Potting Soil
5.0
(1)
"Succulents do well in a 1:1 mix of cactus potting soil and perlite."
#36
Laguna Hills Nursery
5.0
(1)
"The information on this site is very helpful, especially the link to Soil for pots."
#37
Lechuza
5.0
(1)
"Lechuza has 6 months worth of slow release fertiliser already in it."
#38
Violet
5.0
(1)
"I use Violet potting soil with perlite at a 50/50 mix. It is the same that I use for my violets."
#39
Pro-Mix
5.0
(1)
"I used a mix of Pro-Mix potting soil with perlite (maybe ~70-30%?). Mine are doing well!"
#40
Homemade
5.0
(1)
"I made this mix and my dragons fucking love it. Use it for just about all of my plants."
#41
Fir Bark
5.0
(1)
"Orchids require 100% fir bark for optimal growth."
#42
Coir-based blend
5.0
(1)
"Works great for me, prevents rot and pests."
#43
Burpee
5.0
(1)
"Coco coir burpee seedling mix bricks are like under $4 at Home Depot. I’ve stopped using peat moss entirely."
#44
Coco Chips
5.0
(1)
"Coco chips are preferred over orchid bark for moisture retention."
#45
Sungro
5.0
(1)
"The mixes have never had an infestation in the years I have been using the brand."
#46
Sun Gro Horticulture
5.0
(1)
"I've used it for a while with no problems."
#47
Local Potting Soil
5.0
(1)
"Aroids thrive in a 1:1:1 mix of potting soil, fir bark, and perlite."
#48
Quikrete
5.0
(1)
"Quikrete all purpose works well, especially when mixed with perlite and pumice."
#49
Peat Moss
5.0
(1)
"African violets thrive in a 1:1 mix of peat moss and perlite."
#50
Organic Potting Mix
5.0
(1)
"Easy to use and provides good drainage and aeration for my plants."
#51
Dynamic Lifter
5.0
(1)
"I grow all of the veggies that I eat and rarely buy any veg at shops."
#52
Rooster Booster
5.0
(1)
"Makes it more financially beneficial to grow at home."
#53
Rotted cow or sheep manure
5.0
(1)
"1 part rotted cow manure is essential."
#54
Charcoal
5.0
(1)
"Add charcoal if you can get it cheap."
#55
River sand
5.0
(1)
"Add river sand if you can get it cheap."
#56
Mosquito Bits
5.0
(1)
"It works like magic."
#57
Sunshine Mix
5.0
(1)
"I’ve never had that problem with many bales of Sunshine Mix."
#58
Biofish
5.0
(1)
"Mixing old pot dirt with Biofish and a plant is a great way to rejuvenate your pots."
#59
Peat Block
5.0
(1)
"A better option is to buy a huge block of peat for $20."
#60
Bunnings
2.0
(2)
"Most things I try to grow in pots do not like the cheap stuff."
"Most things I try to grow in pots do not like the cheap stuff."
#61
hunter flytraps
4.0
(1)
"Hunter flytraps has some that’s pretty inexpensive."
#62
Anthurium
4.0
(1)
"Anthurium potting mix would be my choice over traditional potting mix."
#63
Black Kow
4.0
(1)
"Big box stores carry Black Kow in bags."
#64
Baileys
4.0
(1)
"Baileys is usually fairly consistent."
#65
Miracle-Gro Potting Soil
3.0
(1)
"Just regular potting soil."
#66
Captain Jack's Gritty Mix
3.0
(1)
"I believe Captain Jack’s Gritty Mix has no organic ingredients."
Discover your audience
GummySearch is an audience research toolkit for 130,000 unique communities on Reddit.
If you are looking for startup problems to solve, want to validate your idea or find your customers online, GummySearch is for you.
Sign up for free, get community insights in minutes.
Tell me more
Get started
