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Houseplant Potting Soils

There are many kinds of potting soil available at the store. The range of choices can be daunting. UT/TSU Extension Agent Celeste Scott talks about the most common components of potting soil and what each one does. She then shows several soil mixes and explains what each is good for.

Potting soil is a soil-less media, not soil from the ground. This allows the components to be mixed together to optimize water and nutrient retention and anchoring root support for each kind of plant. The primary components of potting soil are peat moss for water holding, perlite and vermiculite for porosity, sand for weight and porosity, and shredded bark for structure and drainage.

You can go to the store and buy premixed bags of soil, or you can make your own.

Related Videos:
What is in bagged soil?
What is the best soil for starting seeds?

Related Resources:
Find Homemade Potting Soil recipes here.
Find ideas for Organic Potting Mixes here. 
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  • Home
  • Watch
    • TV Schedule
    • Full Episodes Online
    • How-to and Informational
    • Questions and Answers
    • This Week in the Garden
    • Garden Notes
  • Garden Topic Collections
    • Apple Trees: How-to and Information
    • Peach Trees: How-to and Information
    • Tomatoes: How-to and Information
    • Square Foot Garden Blog
  • Resources
    • Soil Testing
    • Extension Publications
    • Gardening Resources
    • Blogs
    • Organic Gardening
    • Articles
    • Privacy
  • Guests
  • Contact Us
    • Ask a Gardening Gardening Question
  • Search