Contents
In Today’s post we will look into DIY best potting mix for indoor plants in container gardening. The various ingredients used and the function of each will be explained with simple concepts.
The Rise of Urban Gardening
Urban gardening, or small-space gardening in containers, is on the rise! More people are growing plants indoors, making it crucial to focus on the potting medium. Along with light and moisture, the potting mix is essential for healthy, disease-free plants.
Why Make Your Own Potting Mix?
I prefer to make my own homemade potting mix instead of using expensive commercial options. Let’s explore the ingredients used in preparing an indoor soil mix and the proportions for each.
Key Ingredients for the Best Potting Mix For Indoor Plants
Garden Soil
Garden soil is a major component of outdoor potting soil because it provides plant anchorage, which is essential for outdoor plants exposed to strong winds. Although we use garden soil in our indoor potting mix, it’s in smaller quantities.
Cocopeat or Peat Moss
I prefer cocopeat because it is readily available, inexpensive, and has a neutral pH. Mixing cocopeat with garden soil helps reduce compactness and enhances drainage. Cocopeat is available as compact bricks or in powdered form, and a 5 kg brick can yield up to 75 liters of cocopeat powder.
Compost
Compost, such as vermicompost or decomposed cow dung or horse dung powder, is essential for providing major and minor nutrients (NPK: nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium) and trace elements. This has been discussed in previous episodes on indoor gardening basics.
Neem Cake Powder
This ingredient is optional but beneficial. Neem cake powder helps control fungal and bacterial growth, protecting your plants.
Bone Meal Powder
Bone meal is optional but beneficial, particularly for growing vegetables or flowering plants indoors under grow lights. It promotes flowering and fruiting when mixed into the potting soil.
Perlite, Vermiculite, or Pumice
These materials improve drainage and aeration for plant roots. Vermiculite holds moisture and is best for water-loving plants. Pumice and perlite are better for general use. Pumice is less likely to crush compared to perlite and is often a better option for long-term use.
Potting Mix vs. Potting Soil
Potting mix is a soil-less medium made from the ingredients listed above, while potting soil includes garden soil. The terms are often used interchangeably, but the key difference is the inclusion of garden soil in the mix.
Indoor Potting Mix Recipe
Here’s the formula for creating an effective indoor potting mix:
- Cocopeat: 40-50%
- Garden Soil: 10-20%
- Perlite or Pumice (or both): 20%
- Compost (vermicompost or cow dung compost): 20% (increase to 30% for veggies and flowering plants; 10-20% for ornamental plants)
- Bone Meal and Neem Cake Powder: Optional, 5%
Feel free to adjust the proportions based on the specific needs of the plants you are growing.
Watch Video below showing you how to make potting mix for indoor plants.
