What type of soil and pot is best for houseplants?
The best pot has drainage holes, and the best soil is a loose potting mix suited to the plant. Avoid using garden soil indoors because it can drain poorly and contain pests. Tropical foliage plants usually prefer an airy indoor mix, while succulents and cacti need faster drainage. Choose a pot only slightly larger than the root ball.
What soil and pot should you use for houseplants?
Choose a pot with at least one drainage hole and use a commercial potting mix made for indoor plants. Garden soil is usually too dense for containers. It can hold excess water, compact around roots, and introduce insects or disease.
Most tropical foliage plants do well in a loose mix that holds some moisture while allowing air to reach the roots. A standard indoor potting mix may be improved with materials such as perlite or orchid bark if it stays wet for too long. Succulents and cacti need a grittier mix that drains quickly.
The new pot should usually be only one or two sizes larger than the current pot. An oversized container holds more wet soil around a small root system, increasing the chance of root rot. The plant should sit at the same depth as before, with its stem or crown above the soil rather than buried.
Repotting basics
- Watering the plant lightly beforehand can make removal easier.
- Slide it out gently and inspect the roots.
- Trim only roots that are black, mushy, or badly damaged.
- Place fresh mix around the root ball without packing it tightly.
- Water lightly if the mix is dry, then let the pot drain.
Do not put gravel in the bottom of a pot to "improve drainage." It can raise the level where water collects. Good drainage comes from a suitable mix, an open drainage hole, and a pot that is not much larger than the root system.