Does Potting Soil Have Fertilizer In It?

Growing healthy plants in your garden can be a lot of work and seem impossible. Are you planning to grow potted plants and looking for great potting soil to use? Are you wondering if potting soil contains fertilizer? We have the answers for you.

Potting soil may or may not have fertilizer in it, depending on what type and brand you want to buy. Check the packaging and inspect if there is fertilizer in the potting soil and what fertilizers your plants need.

We will discuss potting soil and fertilizer in more detail in this post. Whether you're planning to grow new plants or repotting, we will delve into the topic in this article.

Does Potting Soil Contain Fertilizer?

Potting soils are mixes of vermiculite, peat moss, perlite, or other components.

If the potting soil you bought has fertilizer included as stated on the packaging, you don't need to add more fertilizer upon initial planting or repotting, since too much can harm the plants. You can add fertilizer later, since it wears off over time.

Does Potting Soil Need Additional Fertilizer?

As we mentioned, check the packaging of the potting soil to see if it contains fertilizer. If there is none, you still need to add fertilizer to provide nutrients to the plants.

The plants need NPK or nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium to thrive. Some plants also require other nutrients and vitamins to grow healthy and vigorous. Check the nutrient requirement of your plants before buying any product.

What Is The Difference Between A Potting Soil And A Potting Soil Mix?

Listed below are the differences between potting soil and potting soil mix:

Potting Soil

It may contain soil or may not have soil in it.
Potting soil may have perlite, peat moss, fertilizer, and more.
It has poor aeration.
Potting soil has poor drainage.
Dense and heavy.
Mostly used for composting and landscaping.
Annual replacement.

Potting Soil Mix

It does not have soil, mixed with peat moss, organic matter, perlite, fertilizer, and more.
It has good aeration.
Well-drained.
Light and fluffy.
It doesn't have pathogens.
Ideal for indoor, outdoor, and in containers.
Need to replace every six months.
Nutritious.

Which Potting Soil Is Best To Use?

Listed below are some potting soils that we recommend:

Fjiro Coco Organic Coconut Coir Potting Soil

The Coconut Potting Soil is ideal for acid-loving plants such as periwinkle, rhododendron, azalea, camellia, gardenia, and more.

This product retains water and prevents the leaking of nutrients. Coco coir contains calcium, magnesium, nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium, which plants need to grow and thrive.

Click here to check out this coconut coir on Amazon.

Wonder Soil Organic Potting Soil

This organic potting soil contains coco coir mixed with worm casting, kelp, mycorrhizae, and more, which helps plants to grow faster with vigorous roots. This product is pet friendly and safe for humans.

Click here to check out this organic potting soil on Amazon.

Sungro Black Organic Potting Soil

This organic potting soil is perfect for containers, hanging baskets, herb gardens, vegetables, and more. Sungro Black contains peat moss, perlite, and pumice for aeration and sturdy growth.

Click here to check out this organic potting soil on Amazon.

Soil Sunrise House Plant And Tropical Plant Potting Soil

If you are looking for potting soil for repotting house plants, this potting soil is ideal for you. It contains 100% natural ingredients such as worm, peat moss, perlite, lime, and casting.

Click here to check out this houseplant potting soil on Amazon.

SpongEase Pro Coco Coir Potting Soil

This coco coir acts like a sponge, absorbs water, nutrients, and oxygen, and resists over-watering. It does not have peat and is reusable—a great alternative to peat moss. Make sure it is moist and not soggy.

Click here to check out this coco coir potting soil on Amazon.

Do You Need Fertilizer To Grow Plants?

If your soil already has all the necessary nutrients and pH levels that your plants need to thrive, fertilizer is no longer required.

Keep in mind that nutrients wash away while watering, and your plants absorb them. Adding fertilizer later will be necessary. Know the soil's condition and nutrient level first before applying any fertilizer. You can use a soil tester to perform this procedure.

Click here to check out this soil test kit on Amazon.

Is Too Much Fertilizer Bad For Plants?

Too much fertilizer can harm your plants and the environment. Excessive nutrients have a drawback and may even kill your plant.

Over-fertilizing doesn't only occur from adding too much fertilizer but also happens if the soil doesn't drain well. The roots will burn if the water has not flushed out the fertilizer and you continue adding more.

These are the signs of excessive fertilizer:

Wilting and yellowing of leaves.
Browning of the leaf's tips and margins.
Dropping of leaves.
Slow growth or stops growing.
Burned roots.

How To Treat Over-Fertilized Plants

You can use the process of leaching to treat your over-fertilized plants. Leaching uses running water to rinse and force the salt in the roots and soil away.

Although leaching can help your plants recover and prevent future damage, this process can't fix the damaged part. After cleansing the plant roots, transfer the plant to new, fresh potting soil and cut away the damaged parts to help the plant thrive.

Wait for the plant to recover for at least a month and regrow before feeding again.

Do Fertilizers Expire?

Fertilizer comes in liquid and dry forms. Dry fertilizers contain essential nutrients and do not expire if stored properly. When the fertilizer has insecticide or pesticide, it can last up to four years.

Liquid fertilizers may be organic or non-organic minerals. The minerals may settle at the bottom of the container if not used for a long period of time. Shake it well before using it.

Can You Use Fertilizer After Transplanting?

After transplanting, let the plant adjust to its new environment and wait for 2 to 3 weeks before applying fertilizer.

The waiting time allows the plant to absorb the nutrients from the fertilizer. You can use root hormone powder to lessen the transplanting shock and help maintain the roots' health.

Click here to check out this rooting hormone powder on Amazon.

Which Potting Soil Mixes Contain Fertilizer?

Listed below are some of the potting soil mixes that contains fertilizer:

Miracle-Gro Moisture Control Potting Soil Mix

This potting soil mix is ideal if you want to create a perfect growing environment for your plants. This product protects plants from over and under-watering and provides nutrients to help them grow twice as big. It is perfect for indoor and outdoor plants.

Click here to check out this moisture control potting mix on Amazon.

Espoma Organic Natural Potting Soil Mix

Made from 100% natural ingredients, Espoma contains natural and organic fine ingredients. This potting soil mix gives maximum essential nutrients to promote healthy growth and replace chemical fertilizers.

Click here to check out this organic potting soil mix on Amazon.

Harris Premium Succulent And Cactus Potting Soil Mix

This potting soil mix provides a well-balanced blend of pumice, perlite, peat moss, humus, limestone, fish bone meal, and compost. This product improves drainage and provides a pH balance level for succulents and cacti to thrive.

Click here to check out this potting soil mix on Amazon.

FoxFarm Ocean Forest Potting Soil Mix With Fertilizer

If you are looking for a potting soil mix with a pH of 6.3 to 6.8 level, FoxFarm is perfect for your plants. This potting soil promotes pH balance for optimum fertilizer uptake.

The texture is light and aerated, blended with natural ingredients like crab meal, earthworm casting, sea-going fish, and more.

Click here to check out this potting soil mix on Amazon.

Sprout N Green Organic Potting Mix

This potting mix suits bonsai, vegetables, flowers, herbs, orchids, and more. Sprout N Green promotes a strong root system and helps plants grow stronger and taller.