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Best Soil for Cannabis

Last Updated: February 27, 2024
Roy Stevens
Product Review by Roy Stevens

Cannabis, like all other plants, thrives from an ample supply of water, oxygen, and nutrients. These three base components are responsible for your crops’ overall health, growth rate, and final yield.

Of these three factors, soil composition is one of the most easily modified to suit the needs of cannabis crops. Due to this, cannabis-specific soil mixtures are a booming industry.

Although the nutrients themselves aren’t altered, they are added in specific amounts that promote healthy growth for cannabis plants. Without these pre-made soil mixes, cultivators would be left to compose their own.

The main question is: what’s the best soil for cannabis?

Pre-made cannabis potting mixes allow beginners and professionals alike to jump into the fast lane for growing marijuana plants. You’ll find everything your plants need in these soil mixes, such as beneficial bacteria, fungi, macronutrients, micronutrients, vitamins, and more.

Furthermore, cannabis-specific soil mixes provide a more natural form of growth, as compared to the hyper-accelerated growth of hydroponics or aeroponics.

We’ve sifted through countless soil brands to find you the best soil for cannabis. Whether you’re searching for an organic solution or an all-in-one soil mix – we’ve got your plants covered so they can grow on cruise control.

Our Reviews
1

FoxFarm Ocean Forest Potting Soil

FoxFarm Ocean Forest Potting Soil is a tried-and-true soil mix for much of the cannabis community. It’s one of the easiest soil mixes to use for all stages of plant growth, whether from seedling to harvest.

A massive benefit for FoxFarm Ocean Forest is the fact that it’s already set to the ideal pH range. 6.3 to 6.8 pH is the ideal range for plants growing in soil for nutrient uptake. This makes Fox Farm Ocean Forest soil incredibly efficient, and your cannabis plants will likely show it with vigorous growth.

FoxFarm went above and beyond by offering a two-pack, which enables cultivators with additional potting soil. However, the price comes to around $30 per bag, which is still on the high-end for an organic potting soil.

Although you’ll spend a substantial amount of money for FoxFarm Ocean Forest, it will pay for itself, considering you won’t need a pH pen. If you’re looking for an easy-to-use potting soil mix – this is it.

 

Pros

  • Simple to use soil mix
  • Two-for-one deal saves money in the long run
  • pH adjusted
  • Ideal soil mix for seedlings to mature plants

Cons

  • Expensive if only growing a couple plants
  • Not enough perlite for aeration
  • May require supplemental nutrients for the flowering phase
2

FoxFarm Happy Frog Potting Soil

FoxFarm Happy Frog Potting Soil is one of the best and highly rated organic soil for cannabis plants. It’s perfect for seedlings and young plants because It contains mycorrhizal fungi and other beneficial microbes.

The nutrient source of Happy Frog soil stems from bat guano, earthworm castings, and forest products, such as wood chips. There are enough nutrients to last an entire cycle, from seedling to harvest.

Fox Farm didn’t overdo the nutrient content for a very specific reason, which was not to burn your plants. Many other soil brands create “hot” soil mixes by placing an overly-high nutrient content, but this is not the case with FoxFarm Happy Frog Potting Mix.

This is one of the best potting soil mixes for cannabis, especially for beginners. This is also the best soil for cannabis seedlings because they don’t require a high level of nutrients. If you’ve been looking for a gentle cannabis-specific nutrient mix – this is it.

Pros

  • An ideal composition that doesn’t drain too fast
  • Perfect soil for seedlings to mature cannabis plants
  • Comes loaded with worm castings and soil microbes
  • Insect free

Cons

  • Doesn’t provide enough P & K for the flowering phase
  • Contains a large number of wood chips
  • Similar to standard garden soil mixes
3

Coast of Maine Stonington Blend

Coast of Maine soil is a boutique soil mix brand. Their Coast of Maine Potting Soil is intended for growers that don’t want to spend additional money on pH monitors and associated products.

Coast of Maine Stonington Blend Mix is a stand-alone organic super soil mixture that contains mycorrhizae, kelp meal, fishbone meal, lobster compost, alfalfa meal, and worm castings. This organic soil mix is jam-packed with everything your plants need to thrive.

However, all of these high-quality ingredients come in at a hefty price. If you’re willing to stomach the bill, you’ll find a hearty harvest of aromatic and cannabinoid-rich flowers come harvest time if you choose to incorporate Coast of Maine soil.

Although Coast of Maine Potting Soil Mix is expensive, it performs exceptionally well. This is one of the best soil mixes for cannabis we’ve seen, and it’s highly suitable for both beginners and professionals alike.

All in all, Coast of Maine Stonington Blend can be considered a safe bet if you’re looking for a premium organic soil for your cannabis plants.

Pros

  • High-quality organic ingredients
  • No need to pH adjust
  • No supplements needed
  • Grows cannabis plants from seedling to harvest
  • Great for plants in large pots & containers

Cons

  • One of the most expensive brands on the market
4

FoxFarm Strawberry Fields Potting Soil

FoxFarm Strawberry Fields Potting Soil is a coir-based mix, which means it will have better drainage and hold less water than peat mixes. Some cannabis growers prefer fast-draining soils to avoid overwatering their plants; however, they may need to water more often with FoxFarm Strawberry Fields compared with growing in a peat-based soil mix.

FoxFarm Strawberry Fields Potting Soil and Ocean Forest by FoxFarm have a lot in common. They’re both made from similar ingredients: worm castings, bat guano, oyster shell, aged forest product, peat moss are the same between both soils. Strawberry fields soil has dolomite lime while ocean forest has granite dust instead. In addition to this, they also contain coco fiber and crab meal shrimp meal kelp meals fish emulsion respectively.

FoxFarm Strawberry fields is a great potting soil that will produce luscious and flavorful buds. You’ll be pleased with the overall cost, appearance, ease of use as well as its beneficial Mycorrhizae bacteria.

Pros

  • Fox Farm Quality
  • Priced Competitively
  • Highly rated

Cons

  • Buy from reputable seller and check date on product upon arrival
5

Fox Farm Salamander Soil Mix

Cannabis plants grown in hot climates love to be hydrated during growth phases, and under optimal moisture conditions, beneficial microorganisms will flourish while nutrient uptake will also increase. In the Fox Farm Salamander Soil Mix, we have an ideal soil for rooted cuttings and young cannabis plants that’s also great for both indoor & outdoor cannabis cultivation.

This salamander soil is rich in nutrients, holds water extremely well, and feels almost perfect in texture when it is wet. It’s the best choice for cannabis plants that love moisture as the quality of this soil is top-notch. If you have cannabis plants that require less moisture then this soil can still be used by mixing with a substrate like vermiculite, perlite or pumice stone.

Pros

  • Excellent at retaining moisture
  • Another Fox Farm Favorite
  • Quality ingredients

Cons

  • Again, as with all soil bought online only buy from reputable sellers and check contents on arrival
6

Nectar For The Gods Soil

Nectar for the Gods soil is a premium potting soil designed for both indoor and outdoor use. The company produces small batches that are mixed on-site in Oregon, USA, using all-natural premium ingredients.

This product has been highly rated by plant growers who have found it to be beneficial in their plants’ growth and health. It is produced by growers for growers and offers a good cannabis specific soil. Thus, if you are looking for a reliable potting soil to help take your garden or indoor plants to the next level of growth and success, Nectar for the Gods may be just what you need!

Nectar for the Gods Soil is made with a range of natural ingredients including sphagnum peat moss, perlite, coir fiber, pumice, amongst other ingredients. These are all mixed together on-site using rainwater along with limestone which helps to reduce salts. After blending and bagging the soil sits unwrapped (but covered) for up to 30 days which allows it to activate compost and go dormant so as not to become too hot when used in gardening or planting projects.

The potting mix from Nectar for the Gods is designed with multiple feedings per week in mind so can be used without worrying about overfertilizing your plants or gardens.

There are no added fillers or bark meaning only natural materials are used in its production process making it safe to use in organic gardens. As the company produces small batches at a time you can rest assured that each bag of soil contains only fresh materials which have gone through stringent quality control processes before being shipped out.

In terms of effectiveness Nectar for the God’s potting soil has proven itself as a popular choice among plant growers who have found it beneficial in helping their plants reach their full potential in terms of growth and healthiness. Due to its production methods there are no extra added chemicals which could harm delicate ecosystems thus making this product even more attractive if you wish to fully nurture your plants.

Pros

  • Made In The USA
  • Made By Growers For Growers
  • Cannabis Specific Soil
  • Organic

Cons

  • Price Point
  • Not Widely Available
7

Fox Farm Original Soil Mix

Fox Farm Original Soil Mix is made up of aged forest products, sphagnum peat moss, and earthworm castings. All these ingredients are used to make the soil more effective at holding moisture around plant roots which in turn makes for glorious cannabis buds!

Fox Farm Original Mix is an exceptional mix for raised bed planting. Ready to use straight out of the bag, it can be used to amend existing garden beds as well. This mix contains earthworm castings and beneficial micronutrients that work perfectly together in supporting healthy crops with strong root systems throughout all stages.

Fox Farm has carefully considered each aspect for optimal plant development when making their planting mix so it can provide all the elements needed at any stage throughout your cannabis plant’s life cycle.

Pros

  • Good all-round soil
  • Highly rated
  • Holds moisture

Cons

  • Pricey
8

Roots Organics Original Potting Soil

Roots Organics Original Potting Soil is an ideal choice for fast-growing, heavy-feeding plants. It has a balanced air to water ratio of porosity and water retention that allows you to frequently feed your prized possessions without worrying about their roots rotting or drying out too quickly. Roots Organics soil bags double as pots – just cut the top off, drop in your plant/seedling (or sapling) with ease!

This Original Potting Soil from Roots Organics contains many ingredients which work together to provide your plant with the nutrients it needs. It has beneficial mycorrhizal fungi, Funneliformis mosseae, and Rhizophagus intraradices that enhance uptake of plant nutrients as well as increase root biomass.

Pros

  • Highly rated
  • Good ingredients
  • All-purpose great for beginners

Cons

  • Check sizing
  • Buy from a reputable seller and check for fungus knats
  • Bags are plastic
9

Big Rootz Soil

When it comes to the best cannabis soil, there’s not many growers that haven’t heard of Big Rootz soil or it’s creator “The Soil King”.

With a considerable online following, the self proclaimed Soil King claims Big Rootz potting soil is built by growers for growers. It’s hard to dispute this claim having looked deeper into the considerable ingredients list Big Rootz soil mix features compared to other competitors in the market.

Their ingredient list, lists pre-washed coco-coir, peat, and compost as their base materials alongside worm castings, pumice, seabird guano, langbeinite, amongst many others.

If you plan to utilize Big Rootz in your soil recipe, then just like Royal Gold soil, it’s likely that you’ll need to supplement your cannabis plants during the flowering phase.

Another plus for Big Rootz soil is that it’s tested pesticide free and non-GMO alongside being certified green by the CGC.

All in all, Big Rootz soil is an easy to use soil amendment that’s ideal for indoors, outdoors, in greenhouses and as a soil builder to your existing soil mix. Available from big online retailers as well as The Soil King website, most growers should have no problem sourcing Big Rootz Soil for their next grow.

Pros

  • Formulated With Mycorrhizae For Enhanced Root Growth
  • Contains Water-Retaining Peat
  • Contains Pre-Washed Coco-Coir To Reduce Nutrient Lockout
  • Easy-To-Use Out Of The Bag

Cons

  • Expensive Depending On The Retailer You Buy From
10

SoHum Living Soil

SoHum Living Soil is designed by growers for growers, helping to make the cannabis cultivation process an easy one. It contains potassium, phosphorus, nitrogen, calcium, sulfur, and magnesium – all essential nutrients required by plants to grow healthy crops with a strong flavor.

Sohum Living Soil Mix comes with a specially blended mix of ingredients that includes kelp, meal, crab meal, bone meal, and alfalfa. The soil also contains perlite which helps with water retention and peat moss. Lastly, worm castings are added as they contain beneficial microbes for healthy plant growth making this mixture perfect for indoor or outdoor cultivation.

Sohum Soil has been purposely created to deliver rapid development of your plant’s root system and eliminates the need to flush, alongside increasing yields and producing trichome-covered buds full of flavor and aroma.

Pros

  • OMRI certified
  • Fully amended living soil
  • No synthetic chemicals
  • Highly rated
  • Made by growers for growers
  • Ready to use

Cons

  • May not be the best option for all stages
11

Brut Super Soil

If you’re after a premium all-purpose soil packed full of nutrients and beneficial microbial life then this super soil by Brut may be the one for you.

We’ve previously featured their highly rated and popular worm castings in our best worm casting review. Well, Brut has now released this fantastic new all-in-one soil to compete with the more established well-known brands.

Brut super soil features some superb natural ingredients including –

  • Worm Castings
  • Mycorrhizal Fungi
  • Azomite
  • Kelp

Developed by experienced professionals, this super soil has all the good bacteria and microbes you want, and need. The included ingredients have the most robust, beneficial microbial life alongside the perfect mineral balance.

If you’re looking to experiment with a different soil for your next cannabis grow, then why not give Brut super soil a try? You never know, your plants may just find their new best friend.

Pros

  • Great price
  • Good company
  • Top rated

Cons

  • None
12

BioBizz Soil

Many growers will have already heard and know about some of the fantastic grow products BioBizz produce but for those that don’t BioBizz is a well established name within the growing community, especially for many UK growers.

Two of their best rated and most popular products are their BioBizz All-Mix Soil and BioBizz Light-Mix soil.

BioBizz soil includes everything your plants require from seed to harvest. Their All-Mix is a fantastic all round potting mix that features ingredients such as worm humus, perlite, sphagnum peat moss, garden peat and BioBizz very own pre-mix recipe.

It’s a great heavily fertilized mixture that provides a full micro-active ecosystem. Nutrient filled to provide a rich soil ideal for long term plant health and full lush growth.

BioBizz Light-Mix Soil is just as, if not more popular amongst growers than their All-Mix soil and is the ideal mix for young seedlings and to develop rapid root growth for organic growers.

Containing only natural organic elements, Light-Mix is very highly rated and recommended for beginners and more experienced growers alike.

Available in the United Kingdom and the United States, alongside being competitively priced, most cultivators should have no problem sourcing BioBizz Soil for their next grow.

With a host of beneficial ingredients BioBizz Light-Mix has been specifically formulated to encourage vigorous growth in, seedlings, cuttings, and young plants. It’s 100% certified for organic use and features the very best sourced Baltic peat.

All in all, BioBizz Soil is another contender in our list of cannabis soil.

Pros

  • Available In 20L & 50L Bags
  • Popular Amongst UK Growers
  • Also Available In The United States
  • Well-Known Established Brand
  • Highly Rated By Growers
  • All-Mix & Light-Mix Variations

Cons

  • Check Contents On Delivery & Buy From A Reputable Seller
13

Canna Terra Professional Soil Mix

CANNA Terra Professional soil is probably better known to cultivators that reside in the UK, as it’s not widely available in the USA or Canada.

This nitrogen-rich potting mix is not only highly rated but also very reasonably priced. With thousands of happy customers across the UK, Canna Terra has been in the soil business for a long time and knows it like the back of their hand. They make everything from potting soil to nutrients for plant cultivation.

What makes CANNA Terra Professional potting mix different from your everyday soil is the organic rich ingredients. Sphagnum moss peat, compost, worm castings, perlite, and a special ‘natural plant booster’ to name a few.

Canna Terra bills their potting mix as the ideal soil mix for indoor and outdoor cultivation.

The high value organic ingredients CANNA Terra uses such as airy peat moss helps to prevent diseases and promote exceptional root development whilst delivering formations of thicker stems and higher yields. Low sickness rates and faster metabolism helps to ensure increased production.

Because of the above characteristics, CANNA Terra Professional Soil Mix is preferred by many UK growers for growing a wide variety of plants.

CANNA Terra Professional Mix makes an excellent bed improver that delivers a complex water/air system ideal for virtually every form of cultivation.

Pros

  • Highly Rated
  • Great Price
  • Popular in UK Cultivation
  • Well-known Established Brand

Cons

  • Availability
  • Purchase from official store and look out for infestations
14

Gaia Green Living Soil

Gaia Green Living Soil is a premium potting mix that provides plants with the optimal root environment. Gaia Green soil is enriched with glacial rock dust, dolomite, feather meal, alfalfa meal, bone meal, rock phosphate, blood meal, fishbone meal, mineralized phosphate, insect frass, and mined potassium sulphate to ensure that your plants get the nutrients they need.

The high porosity and moisture retention of Gaia Green Living Soil creates an ideal rooting environment for potted plants.

Made in Canada, and available in 30L bags and with an NPK of 01 – 0 – 0, this top-rated Gaia Green soil is packed with peat moss, perlite, coconut coir, fir bark, composted porcine litter, African nightcrawlers, and worm castings – all of which work together to support and promote healthy beneficial microbial activity.

Additionally, Gaia Green Living Soil is pre-charged with Gaia Greens very own proprietary slow-release organic fertilizers to provide your plants with everything they need to grow big and strong throughout every stage of growth.

Pros

  • Peat Moss
  • Perlite
  • Coconut Coir
  • Fir Bark
  • Composted Porcine Litter
  • African Nightcrawler
  • Worm Castings

Cons

  • Expensive Shipping Costs If Outside Of Canada
15

Mother Earth Terracraft All Purpose Potting Soil

Developed by experienced horticulturists, chemists, and biologists, Mother Earth Terracraft All Purpose Potting Soil is another highly rated, and popular soil for cannabis cultivators to consider at a very reasonable price!

Featuring an abundance of healthy ingredients, this all-in-one offering can help to nourish your cannabis plants all the way from seed to harvest!

Mother Earth all-purpose potting soil creates the perfect conditions for your plants, whether you’re growing indoors or outdoors. Aeration is moderate and the NPK is 0.19-0.08-0.11.

This well-blended soil mix includes ingredients such as;

  • Peat moss
  • Perlite
  • Forest products
  • Earthworm castings
  • Yucca

Pros

  • Very good price
  • Highly rated
  • Established brand

Cons

  • None
16

Organic Super Soil Concentrated Strength

Natures Living Organic Super Soil Concentrated Strength is formulated to create the perfect growing environment for your cannabis plants. They contain a wide variety of beneficial microorganisms and organic nutrients, all of which work synergistically to provide rapid growth and bountiful yields.

Although Natures Living Organic Super Soil Concentrate is one of the best organic soils for cannabis, it’s still relatively expensive compared to other products with similar ingredients.

A single bag of Natures Living Soil will not fill an entire 5-gallon pot, which makes this an expensive product if you’re growing more than one cannabis plant. Although the instructions recommend cutting this product with a standard potting mix, it won’t last very long.

Furthermore, the Organic Super Soil Concentrated Strength has a strong odor, which is a significant downside if you must be discreet.

Although Natures Living Super Soil Organic Concentrate is a premier potting mix for cannabis plants, it’s not recommended if you grow more than a handful of plants at once.

Pros

  • Organic
  • Contains a wide range of beneficial microorganisms
  • Simple to use
  • Perfect for all stages of growth
  • Microorganisms contained with all the nutrients required to take a plant from seed to harvest

Cons

  • Very expensive for its small size
  • Will not fill a single 5-gallon pot
  • May contain pests
17

Purple Cow IndiCanja Organic Living Soil

Purple Cow IndiCanja is the new kid on block in terms of cannabis soil.

Purple Cow Organics produce a whole host of different organic products, including seed starter mix, BIOActive vegetable Supercharger, right up to their Purple Cow IndiCanja Organic Soil.

This plant-based, natural organic soil mix by Purple Cow Organics contains the necessary minerals and nutrients to start your seedlings on their journey. Having been scientifically formulated and tested Purple Cow IndiCanja is lauded by the people at Purple Cow Organics as good for all stages of plant growth, from young seedlings all the way through to flowering.

Purple Cow Organics bills their Indicanja soil as developed by growers, for growers as well as being ideal for beginners or pro’s, an all-in-one soil perfect for every stage of growth.

We already know about the qualities of someone like FoxFarm Soil, but the big question is, is there room for another organic soil? And ultimately does the Purple Cow IndiCanja made by Purple Cow Organics have what it takes to sit among the top soil manufacturers?

Whilst a small number of consumers have experienced fungus gnats, the top-rated reviews from users so far would suggest they do, but the proof is in the pudding, or should we say the harvest…

Pros

  • Certified by the Organic Materials Review Institute
  • All-in-one Super Soil
  • Good for Different Stages

Cons

  • Expensive
  • Some Bags May Be Infested With Fungus Gnats
18

Super Soil Autoflower Concentrate

Here we have a fantastic but pricey soil in the Natures Living Organic Super Soil Autoflower Concentrate mix, which is a specially formulated version of the original “Natures Living Organic Super Soil”.

What makes Natures Living Soil so good is the microorganisms they include, everything from Glomus Aggregatum, Glomus Etunicatum, Glomus Intraradices, Glomus Mosseae, Pisolithus Tinctorius, Scleroderma Cepa, Scleroderma Citrinum, Trichoderma Harzianum and so much more!

This enables the cannabis cultivator to take their plants all the way from seed, straight through to harvest.

Natures Living Soil as always deliver a great organic Autoflower mix with some fantastic ingredients:

  • Organic Earthworm Castings
  • Azomite
  • Epsom Salt
  • Coconut Water Powder
  • Aloe Vera The Microorganisms
  • High Quality Bat Guano
  • Blood Meal, Bone Meal
  • Fish Bone Meal, Alfalfa Meal
  • Kelp Meal
  • Dolomite Lime

Yes, the Natures Living Super Soil Autoflower Concentrate is expensive, and the quantities may not be the best, but when you’re after a premium autoflower soil and can stomach paying that little bit extra, then Natures Living Soil is always a safe bet.

Pros

  • All-In-One
  • Top Rated
  • Established Soil Brand
  • Made Famous By r/SubCool

Cons

  • Price Could be Better
19

Kryptonite Soil

For our Canadian readers we have a great all-natural fully amended synthetic free water only living soil in the form of Kryptonite Soil created by a husband and wife team over at Next Gen Soil. A Canadian based family run soil brand started in 2011.

Kryptonite Soil has been specifically formulated for cannabis cultivation and features an abundance of beneficial ingredients to help your cannabis plants flourish.

If you’re after a locally sourced Canadian cannabis soil, then look no further than Kryptonite soil, it’s great for seed germination and for all stages of growth, alongside featuring the very best worm castings all produced locally on site, ensuring the highest standards possible.

Kryptonite Soil is available in three sizes, 1.5 C.U FT, 30 C.U FT, and 60 C.U FT bulk bags respectively and is priced competitively compared to other water only and living soil brands.

Next Gen Kryptonite Soil is extremely versatile and can be utilized all year round both indoors or outdoors, in pots and containers, alongside working well with existing soils and as a top dressing. It also requires no flushing as it’s completely natural, working in natural harmony to continually feed and protect your cannabis plants from pests and diseases.

Pros

  • Made In Canada
  • Added Ingredients Sourced & Produced Locally
  • Cannabis Specific Soil
  • Great For All Stages
  • Multiple Sizes Available
  • All-Natural Living Soil

Cons

  • Not Widely Available in The USA
20

BuildASoil

BuildASoil’s 3.0 Recipe is an excellent potting soil that can be used for cannabis plants and that provides the perfect balance of nutrients to give your marijuana plants everything they need, without any dirty ingredients!

This potting soil from BuildASoil is one of their heaviest amended soil recipes to date and a firm favorite in the growing community and is available in sizes of half a cubic foot, one cubic foot, one cubic yard tote, pallet size, and truckload!

BuildASoil Super Soil is a high-quality all-in-one potting soil mix that will provide your plants with everything they need for successful growth from seed to harvest, the only thing that needs adding is water!

This formula has been the cannabis growers favorite because of the quality and testing that has gone into the making of it alongside being ready to go as soon as you open the bag.

Pros

  • Good for all stages of growth
  • Respected well-known soil brand
  • Highly rated

Cons

  • Pricey
21

KIS Organics

KIS Organics Biochar Soil Mix is a revolutionary “water only” soil mix registered for organic use with CDFA. Ingredients are composed of natural and organic minerals, so you can be sure that your plants will grow from seed to harvest without nutrient burn.

KIS soil is ready to use right out of the bag and has all the beneficial biology, nutrients, minerals your plant needs. You’ll never have a need for bottled supplements ever again and this biochar soil will make your plants happier and healthier for up to 6 months with all the nutrients they need. All you have to do is add water!!

KIS Organics uses 8% Black Owl’s biochar and inoculates this soil mix with additional microorganisms to further increase microbial life and nutrient cycling, KIS soil is 100% natural without any synthetic chemicals and can be used indoors or outdoors to achieve a healthy cannabis crop.

Pros

  • Lab tested
  • Respected cannabis brand
  • Multiple sizes available

Cons

  • Pricey

Best Soil for Cannabis – Buyers Guide

Buying soil for your cannabis plants might not seem important, but it’s one of the biggest deciding factors when it comes to plant health and overall yield.

Cannabis plants take anywhere from 4-6 months from seed to harvest. Clones may take upwards of 3 months to complete their life cycle. Not only is this a significant investment in time, but also the energy needed to fuel their growth.

This is why we’ve compiled this buyer’s guide to help you find the best soil for cannabis plants.

The Number of Plants

Before you give your hard-earned money away, how many cannabis plants will you grow? This is the first question you must ask yourself because it’ll paint a clear picture of how much soil you’ll need.

If you’re growing a single plant or 6-plants in small containers, you won’t require a bale of soil to fit your needs. Instead, you can get away with purchasing a single bag to keep your costs to a minimum.

However, if you’re growing multiple plants in large containers, then you’ll need to purchase multiple bags or a large bale-size bag of soil.

Whether you’re growing a warehouse full of cannabis plants or a single plant in your closet, knowing how much soil you need is the very first step you must take.

Stand-Alone or Supplement-Based?

This is the next important factor that you must consider. Do you want a soil mix that’s filled with all the necessary nutrition for your plants, or are you seeking a mild soil mix that can be amended with additional supplements?

If you choose a stand-alone potting soil product, then it might not be suitable for seedlings due to the overall strength. If you decide to go with a milder soil mix, then you’ll need to purchase additional nutrients.

Some growers find more freedom in purchasing soil mixes that contain fewer nutrients so they can fine-tune their overall overall nutrient content.

However, this method is only recommended for cultivators with experience. If you’re a beginner, fine-tuning your soil mix may prove to do more harm than good.

Beginners will benefit from utilizing a stand-alone soil mix for cannabis because it contains everything your crop needs to thrive from seed to harvest.

Although these products are not packed to the brim with nutrients, they will allow you to grow vigorous and high-yielding crops without the worry of nutrient burn.

Organic or Inorganic?

This is another essential question you need to ask yourself. Organic soil mixes contain ingredients that are from organic sources, which is scientifically proven to be better for the environment and your overall well-being.

Inorganic potting mixes tend to be cheaper in cost, but the price difference isn’t as large as in the past. Ultimately, this is a very personal question that only you can answer.

Living Soil Or Not?

Next, you’ll need to understand if you’re looking for a soil mix that contains beneficial microbes or not.

You may question this idea at first, but fungi (mycorrhizae) and bacteria play an integral role in breaking down nutrients for your prized cannabis plants.

In other words, beneficial microbes facilitate enhanced nutrient absorption, promote root growth, and provides a protective barrier against harmful bacteria and fungi.

Although you’ll likely see an increased price tag on soil mixes that contain beneficial microbes, it’s well worth it when you consider the effort it takes to grow high-quality cannabis flowers.

Is Growing in Soil Easy?

This is the main question that beginners ask. In fact, growing cannabis in soil is one of the easiest methods because it’s by far the most natural.

The vast majority of soil brands offer “plug-and-play” soil mixes. This means that you don’t need to do anything – except water them.

In these cases, you’ll need to look for soil brands that are already within the optimal pH range. By finding a pH balanced soil mix, you won’t need to worry about complicating matters with a pH pen.

Do You Need Additional Aeration?

Just like animals, your cannabis plants rely on oxygen to thrive. Alongside water and nutrients, air is a necessity when growing cannabis plants in soil.

Perlite is a primary material that cannabis growers use to increase the amount of air inside a soil mix. Not all soil brands contain perlite, so it’s essential to understand if your soil mix is too heavy.

Air pockets within your soil mix not only provide oxygen for the roots, but they also allow the root system to expand rapidly.

Furthermore, consistent air pockets within the potting mix enhance drainage, which will reduce the possibility of fungus and bacterial rot.

How To Grow Cannabis in Soil

Growing cannabis in soil is incredibly straightforward, especially when it’s already pH adjusted. Here are a few tips on getting your soil ready for your marijuana plants.

The first thing you need to do is fill your container 3/4 full with potting soil. Gently place your plant, and carefully add additional soil to cover the roots.

The cardinal rule is never compact the soil. Cannabis roots not only thrive from the nutrients within the soil mix, but also from the air pockets.

These tiny pores keep roots from rotting, so it’s essential that you refrain from pressing down on your soil mix.

If your soil mix is already pH adjusted, then you simply add water. Always allow your plant to satisfy its thirst before adding more water to avoid overwatering symptoms.

Recap

Now that you understand the importance of potting soil mixes for cannabis, let’s take a look at the best soil mix for cannabis.

Overall, Fox Farm’s Happy Frog potting soil is the best nutrient mix for cannabis plants. Whether you’re a commercial cultivator or small-scale home grower, Happy Frog is a versatile potting mix for any type of cannabis strain.

Fox Farm’s Happy Frog potting mix is pH balanced, perfect for all stages of growth, inexpensive, and bug-free. All of these factors are crucial when growing cannabis, and Happy Frog delivers each of these with ease.

Furthermore, Fox Farm’s Happy Frog potting soil contains adequate nutrition for your cannabis crop while allowing you to add supplemental nutrients if you decide to. This burn-free nutrient mix is perfect for those that want an easy-to-use soil mix.

As growers, we want the best products for our cannabis plants, and Fox Farm’s Happy Frog potting soil provides exactly that. This is why we recommend Fox Farm’s Happy Frog potting soil as the best soil for cannabis.

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