Soil mix for houseplants

I have had houseplants for years but admit that I do little beside watering them occassionally. It is for this reason that they haven't really thrived. I prefer outdoor gardening and indoor plants seem like a chore...not sure the logic but there's the truth. Anyway, I envy those with pretty plants indoors so it is time to learn something methinks. I have been on the container garden forum (because I have some containers outside) and there has been alot of talk about soil and drainage and mixing your own potting soil mix to make sure that the water doesn't hang out in the pot too long and cause root rot. Is there a magic formula for indoor potting soil that differs from the outdoor formula? or can I use the same formula for both but just feed the indoor plants differently. Also, one of the reasons I never remember to feed the indoor plants is that I cannot remember whether I am supposed to feed them in the winter or the summer, during periods of growth or dormancy. Help!

I use the same type of mix for both indoor and outdoor container plants. I also fertilize them the same way, I'm not sure why you think you should feed them differently? For any plant, you should feed it when it's actively growing (generally spring/summer) and don't fertilize them when they're dormant or getting ready to go dormant (fall/winter). Your indoor plants may grow and bloom for a longer period than your outdoor plants so you may start feeding them earlier in the spring and stop a little later in the fall, but the same rules apply.

I use equal parts of Miracle Grow potting mix, perlite, and vermiculite for all my plants. It seems to provide good drainage along with good moisture retention. I fertilize when I remember to during the growing season and not at all during winter (except flowering houseplants that can bloom year-round, and they get fertilized when I remember all year long.)

We use a light good draining soil-less mix. We feed year round same for outside or inside just depending on the type of plant. Plants grown inside under grows lights need more fertilizer as they are growing year round, fast and have no domrant period .

We can't use vermiculite as our humidity is sooooooooo high. I always use Miracle Grow potting soil and liquid Schultz food. If you don't like fertilizing or see it as one more job inside, go to Walmart and buy those little sticks and put the 2" sticks in your houseplants...I do that on my front porch as I can't keep up with over 100 little plants all the time. If they are to bloom, you can always get a high second number fertilizer and supplement the regular feeding of the spikes (or sticks).

Ms Gessie :)) we don't use the vermiculite anymore either. I think we got tired of spending money for it when it is not nessary. and yes not good for humid areas or a person who is tempted to over water .
Any type of good potting soil, MG, African violet, Bayer 3 in 1 there are so many different ones, or even pro-mix. Mix in with any of these 50 percent perlite to slight moist. Keep in a covered container to keep moist. Stir around once in awhile . It won't go bad. If your like us we use so much we make 20 plus gallons at a time and always using it right up.

I should have acknowledged that i do mix perlite with Miracle grow.....I also mix mine in a giant container and keep in storage bldg. at the back door...then it is not a big deal to pot up anything that needs to go up a size, etc....

I like doing the same as you always having it there when needed. You never know when you'll have some plants or cuttings, babies to pot up !

Hi there. Gessie had a great suggestion with the sticks since you don't have to worry about fertilizing every month. However, I've heard that the sticks aren't so great to use (they typically fertilize only the area that the stakes are in)....but that concept is great. Osmocote might be good for that use...you only have to refresh it every 4 months. If you use a fertilzer liquid or powder, just make sure you don't over-fertilize...it's always better to under-fertilize.

As for soil mix, I think the suggestions listed above are great. I use regular potting soil and add perlite to it (it's hard to give an exact ratio, as I just feel it out...but maybe a handful of perlite to a 4-6" pot, or if you want to talk in ratios, maybe 2/3rd potting soil to 1/3rd perlite?...just an estimate). There is no harm in using more perlite, but the more you use, the more often you'll have to water. So if you don't pay much attention to your indoor plants, you might want to stick to less perlite so that the moisture stays in longer. Also, like stated above, adding some vermiculite will help with moisture retention, and since you live in Brooklyn I think you'd be OK with humidity.

Also, think about the pot you use. Plastic pots hold more moisture than unglazed clay pots do (the unglazed pots will absorb the moisture pretty quickly). Also, glazed pots hold more moisture than unglazed pots...I tend to stay away from those unless I use them as cache pots). So as with the soil, base the type of pot you use on how often you want to water. Also, make sure you don't use too large of a pot, as there will be an excess of soil holding water.

All good info. Oh Gessie has been to special pot size seminars I heard she knows a lot about pot sizes and soil mixes :))