Lavender has been a highly popular plant for centuries due to several reasons.
Not only do lavender flowers make an excellent addition to any garden, providing color and fragrance, lavender is also a popular culinary ingredient. Also, lavender oil has been traditionally used for making perfumes, potpourri, and cosmetics.
Now, in an era where natural and organic remedies are in high demand, there has been a resurgence in the popularity of this Mediterranean herb. However, due to steadily increasing prices, purchasing lavender can be quite costly, so growing lavender at home can be the perfect solution in such a scenario.
But since lavender only grows well in certain soils, it can be pretty challenging to grow, especially in pots. Hi! I’m Stacy Smith and I’ve put together this guide to help you out, comprising a buyer’s guide and some FAQs to simplify things further.
Without further ado, let’s dive in!
Top 5 Best Soil For Lavender In Pots
1. Miracle-Gro VB300519
Let’s start with the Miracle-Gro VB300519, which has been specially created for the purpose of growing potted plants. It protects plants from under or over watering while speeding up the growing process, especially during the early stages.
Product Highlights
Lavender is a drought-resistant plant, which means it does not require a lot of water, and overwatering lavender plants can even make them susceptible to diseases. I picked the Miracle-Gro VB300519 because it does an excellent job of absorbing water, preventing you from accidentally overwatering the plant.
After testing the product, I was impressed by how quickly it began to show results. Compared to unfed plants, the ones that I planted in this soil could grow twice as big in the same amount of time.
What’s more, this potting mix contains fertilizer that feeds the soil for six months, so you do not need to add any additional fertilizer to the soil. Understandably, going with the VB300519 can help save a lot of effort, time, and money when growing lavender plants, making it a highly economical potting soil.
What’s There To Like About It?
One of the things that I liked most about the Miracle-Gro VB300519 is how easy it is to use. Once mixed with the soil in the pot, it will provide the lavender plant with the required nutrients for up to six months.
Besides absorbing excess water, the tiny crystals in this potting soil release water if you’ve forgotten to water the plants for a long time, preventing the plants from dying.
What’s There Not To Like About It?
When using this potting soil, the only concern is that it tends to be highly susceptible to fungus, gnats, and spider infestations. So, storing this soil is a tricky process since removing these contaminants can be quite cumbersome. I suggest that you buy only the required quantity of soil that you can use immediately.
Pros and Cons of Miracle-Gro VB300519
Pros
Cons
- FEEDS UP TO 6 MONTHS: Miracle-Gro Moisture Control Potting Soil Mix feeds plants for up to 6 months and Grows Plants Twice As Big (vs unfed plants)
- MOISTURE CONTROL: This container planting soil protects against over and under watering and absorbs up to 33% more water than basic potting soil that does not contain sphagnum peat moss, coir, and wetting agent
- FOR POTTED PLANTS: Use this outdoor potting soil mix gardening product with all types of container plants, including flowers, vegetables, annuals, perennials, and shrubs
2. FoxFarm Ocean Forest Potting Soil Mix
If you’re looking for potting soil that contains all the essential nutrients a lavender plant requires, then the FoxFarm Ocean Forest is a great choice. It is a highly recommended potting soil that works well for both indoor and outdoor plants.
Product Highlights
With a pH adjusted between 6.3 and 6.8, the FoxFarm potting soil is fully optimized to enable plants to take up the maximum amount of fertilizer. Whether you are using this soil for containerized plants or for those in your lawn, it ensures that you get excellent results quickly.
Coming to the composition, the FoxFarm Potting Soil contains a blend of bat guano, earthworm castings, forest humus, crab, and fish meal. This mixture helps plants thrive while reducing the requirement for additional fertilizers, such as NPK or organic compost. Most importantly, unlike other soils, it does not have any foul odor.
Also, this soil has been specially developed for potted plants, and you can use it directly out of the bag. Whether growing plants from seeds or transplanting young ones, just add this mixture to the existing soil to provide the required strength to your plants so that they grow.
What’s There To Like About It?
I liked that the manufacturer has provided detailed instructions on how to use this potting soil with regard to different types of plants. Whether using it for trees, shrubs, or houseplants, you will find all the necessary steps online.
Also, the manufacturer ships the product with an additional bag to protect it during shipping. This bag prevents the soil from getting spoiled quickly or spilling out while in transit.
What’s There Not To Like About It?
While using this soil, I discovered that you need to be constantly aware of the water requirements of the plants as this is not the best soil for water management. Since certain plants require a lot of water while others need better drainage, ensure great care when watering this soil.
Pros and Cons of FoxFarm Ocean Forest Potting Soil Mix
Pros
Cons
- THE SECRET TO VIBRANT GARDENS: Fox Farm Ocean Forest Soil is the ideal growing medium for plants. Whether you’re growing houseplants or container gardens, it provides the perfect environment for your plants to thrive
- GROWTH STARTS HERE: With a blend of aged forest products, sandy loam, and sphagnum peat moss, this seedling potting soil supports aeration and drainage. It’s designed to use right out of the bag
- FUEL FOR GROWING SUCCESS: Packed with fish meal, crab meal, and earthworm castings, this potting soil supports seedlings and plant starts with the nutrients they need to flourish. Get your plants off to a strong start with this blend
3. Lavender Potting Soil
The above options were suitable for all types of potted plants. Now, I bring you a product that is specifically meant for growing lavender plants in pots. Besides containing a blend of natural ingredients, this soil offers excellent drainage that lavender plants require.
Product Highlights
I came across this Lavender Hand Blended Potting Soil while searching for an easy-to-use option ideal for growing potted or containerized plants. Needless to say, this one seemed to be the perfect solution, requiring no mixing of fertilizers and helping save time and effort.
Besides being one of the easiest to use soils, it contains a wide range of all-natural ingredients. These include perlite, peat moss, sand, pumice, lime, worm castings, and charcoal. Lavender plants thrive on such ingredients, which is why this is such a great option for them.
Moving on, one of the highlights of this potting soil is that you can use it during different stages of the lavender growing process. Be it sprouting seeds or planting seedlings and repotting, the Lavender Hand Blended Soil will provide you with excellent results.
The soil also drains extremely quickly, making it a suitable choice for lavender plants.
What’s There To Like About It?
Most potting soils cannot mimic the natural environment that lavender plants need for growth. That’s where this soil comes in as it provides the plants with the required minerals and nutrients while offering superior drainage that can prevent overwatering.
Additionally, you can store this soil easily and use it later without worrying about spoiling it. This property allows the soil to be used during different plant growth stages, ensuring that you have a flourishing garden.
What’s There Not To Like About It?
If you’re looking for soil that has been specially developed for lavender plants, this is the one to go for. However, keep in mind that this is one of the costlier options on the market. You can get other potting soils for a lower price, though this one does offer excellent results.
Pros and Cons of Lavender Potting Soil
Pros
Cons
- 100% Natural: Custom blend for Lavender plants container growing; no artificial ingredients
- Uses: Specially formulated for growing healthy lavender plants; indoor / outdoor container gardening
- Benefits: Aeration, drainage, water retention, added nutrients, nutrient retention, & much more
4. Black Gold 1310102
Applying slow-release fertilizers to the soil can provide young plants with the strength needed for a good start. That’s why I selected the Black Gold 1310102 for this list since it already contains slow-release fertilizers that can boost the growth of lavender plants.
Product Highlights
While lavender plants do not require lots of water, they need nutrients in decent quantities to thrive. The Black Gold potting soil is a multipurpose product that contains a nutrient mix that is highly beneficial for several potted plants.
Besides this nutrient mixture, the 1310102 has sphagnum peat moss, forest humus, pumice, and worm castings. These organic materials help boost your plant’s growth, helping it grow faster and stronger without the need for additional fertilizers.
What’s more, you can easily use this soil for indoor plants, and its versatility allows it to be used in all types of containers. Whether you have hanging baskets, patio containers, or regular pots, this soil works well with all types of containers.
Another reason why this potting soil is great for indoor use is that it does not produce any foul odor. This, along with its excellent drainage, make this product a compelling choice.
What’s There To Like About It?
One common issue with such potting soils is that it is often difficult to tell when they need watering. I’m happy to say that the 1310102 does not suffer from this issue, thanks to its texture and consistency, which make it easy to estimate its water requirements.
Plus, it does not contain any bugs such as gnats and flies, which are generally attracted to such soils, and can be quite difficult to get rid of.
What’s There Not To Like About It?
While this lavender soil does not contain bugs or flies, it tends to attract a lot of spiders. Soils can be a haven for spiders to lay eggs, which is why I would recommend keeping this soil outside. You may also need to use spider deterrents to keep the arachnids away.
Pros and Cons of Black Gold 1310102
Pros
Cons
- A slow-release complete fertilizer is added to give plants a strong start
- Made with Canadian sphagnum peat moss with worm castings, forest humus, and pumice
- This product is made in United States
5. Organic Harvest 370304
Up next is an excellent potting soil from Organic Harvest, a well-known brand famous for manufacturing high-quality gardening products. This potting mix soil is highly effective for vegetables, herbs, or flowers and is an excellent option for lavender plants.
Product Highlights
The Organic Harvest Potting Soil is made from completely organic and recycled ingredients, making it one of the best natural options on the market. It contains ingredients such as wood shavings, peat moss, perlite, and composted green waste that can help plants flourish quickly.
Along with these ingredients, the manufacturer has mixed additional fertilizing agents such as bat guano, so using other fertilizers with this soil is not required. And since it does not need additional fertilizers, the application process is very simple and does not require much effort.
I’ve also seen soils and fertilizers that are mixed with animal waste, which contrary to popular opinion, can actually harm plants. However, this product from Organic Harvest does not contain animal or human waste in any form, which is one of the main reasons I found it to be a good choice.
What’s There To Like About It?
The thing that I liked most about this soil is that you can moisten it easily. Adding this potting soil can help add some texture, making nutrient absorption faster and more effective. Hence, it is an excellent option for indoor plants whose soil can get compacted pretty quickly.
Also, unlike most other similar products, this soil has a very pleasant aroma which can really make the planting process an enjoyable experience.
What’s There Not To Like About It?
The one issue that plagues this product is the presence of live bugs in the potting soil. While dead bugs can be an excellent source of nutrition for plants, live ones can be detrimental to their growth, and can even make the soil go bad quickly. So, make sure to remove the bugs from the soil before using it.
Pros and Cons of Organic Harvest 370304
Pros
Cons
- ALL NATURAL: Made from Organic and Recycled ingredients
- INGREDIENTS: Contains Peat Moss, Wood Shavings, Composted Green Waste and Perlite
- CONVENIENCE: No need to remove weeds
Buyers Guide
Besides knowing about the best options on the market, it is important to know about the factors that should be considered when purchasing the best soil for lavender in pots. These factors will help you make an informed choice and ensure that you are able to find the most suitable product easily.
Here are some of the vital factors that should be considered:
1. Plant Type
The first and most crucial factor in determining which potting soil you should go for is the type of plant you require it for. Different plants have different nutritional and hydration requirements, and both of these requirements are met by the soil they are planted in.
For instance, succulents require soil that drains well and is not very heavy, so it does not cause waterlogging, which might harm the root system. Plants like lavender can also do well with such soils since they require proper drainage. On the other hand, some plants might require soil that can hold water for long periods.
Hence, multipurpose soils are a good option if you are planning to grow different varieties of plants since they can meet the requirements of several types of plants.
2. Organic Vs. Inorganic Soil
Most professional gardeners prefer to use organic soils as they are free of chemicals that might harm the plants. In the case of organic soils, the nutrients are not broken down and dissolved, which makes it easier for plants to absorb them.
They also contain a wide range of materials, some of which include worm castings, fish meal, natural compost, bone meal, mushroom compost, and soybean. As a result, these are highly beneficial for all types of plants and can speed up their growth.
On the other hand, inorganic soils contain a blend of both organic and non-organic materials, the latter of which might be composed of perlite, bark, peat moss, vermiculite, and others. Some manufacturers also add pieces of styrofoam to these soils to help create space for air and water circulation.
Overall, inorganic soils are generally more cost-effective than organic ones, but organic soils can be reused.
3. Air Circulation
When selecting the right potting soil, you should keep in mind how effectively it allows air circulation. The root system of plants requires proper air circulation to help them absorb the necessary amount of oxygen for the plant to thrive.
The type of potting soil you select will directly affect air circulation and, thereby, the plants’ oxygenation. Lightweight blends with a fluffy consistency generally promote better air circulation than dense ones that can cut off or reduce oxygen flow, damaging plant health.
4. Drainage
Drainage is one of the most vital factors that can affect the health of your plants. Different plants have different drainage requirements, with some requiring fast-draining soils while others needing moisture retention properties.
Succulents, cacti, and similar plants do not require a lot of moisture and should be planted in fast-draining soils. However, most tropical plants, ferns, and orchids require a lot of moisture and do well in soils that hold water for long periods without drainage.
Make sure you determine which type of potting soil your plant requires before selecting the soil.
5. Nutrient Availability
To ensure that your plants grow well, it is vital to plant them in soils that provide the nutrients required by those plants. Due to the different compositions and makeup of various potting soils available on the market, the type and quantity of nutrients they offer vary significantly.
Before selecting a potting soil, read the label or contact the manufacturer to know which nutrients it offers.
Some plants might require more organic material, while others may heavily depend on calcium or magnesium elements. However, most plants require some quantity of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, so potting soils often contain some of these chemicals.
Frequently Asked Questions
It is possible to reuse potting soil, but before you can do so, it needs to be rejuvenated to restore its nutritional value. If the soil is used again without rejuvenating it, it can make the plants susceptible to disease.
Rejuvenating the soil can be done easily by spreading out the used soil in the sun, killing any pathogens present in it. However, avoid using soil from the container of a diseased plant.
Several ingredients in potting soil, such as peat moss and organic material, decompose due to bacterial action leading to a loss of nutrients. Used potting soil can even get contaminated with pathogens, while insects and other creatures consider such soil an excellent habitat.
All these factors can cause your potting soil to go bad, which is why it should be replaced at the start of every growing season.
Potting soils from different brands usually come with fertilizers added to the mix. However, with regular watering, these nutrients can get depleted quickly. In such cases, you can add supplemental nutrients by using water-soluble fertilizers with the soil.
There are several differences between potting soil and a potting mix, so I shall mention some of the key ones here. Firstly, potting mix does not contain any soil, while potting soil can contain soil as well as the microbes present in it.
Potting mix is also completely sterile, making it a safer option than potting soil as the latter may contain pathogens. Finally, potting soil generally contains compost, while potting mixes may have fertilizers.
My Final Recommendation
With this, I’ve reached the end of my list of recommendations regarding the best soil for lavender in pots. While all these are excellent choices, keep in mind the important factors that can help narrow down your choices.Â
Now, before signing off, let me just share some of my personal favorites with you. The Miracle-Gro VB300519 is a highly versatile option that combines affordability with ease of use. Then, the FoxFarm Ocean Forest is another great value for money option that has a slow-release fertilizer added to the mix.
Finally, the Lavender Potting Mix has been specially developed for lavender plants and delivers fast results.