Growing marijuana or cannabis is becoming quite popular around the world. Many people and many countries use several kinds of growing methods that may be different from the known methods. It has become quite popular for farmers to grow their cannabis indoors. Some growers use the hydroponics soi-less method, while some grow with soil. Remember that marijuana needs water and nutrients to grow healthy and produce a high yield.
Most plants require soil to grow, and the top soil is known to have the most nutrients that the plants feed on to grow. Rock particles, clay, and organic remains are some of the elements that can be found in the top soil.
Marijuana requires soil that is rich in organic elements for growth. You may begin growing your plants on top soil and then replant the plants in containers or patios where they can continue growing with the use of potting soil. These potting soils are majorly ready to use and contain nutrients that have richer benefits to your plants than the nutrients found on top soil.
If you intend on growing your cannabis plants indoors, then the best way to do so, particularly for learners, is in soil. Purchasing and setting up a hydroponic system may be too costly. However, with the use of soil, your buds can get a deeper supply of flavor.
Although, when growing cannabis, you have to consider more than just the nutrients in topsoil. best nutrients for vegetative stage
FACTORS TO CONSIDER BEFORE CHOOSING BEST SOIL FOR GROWING MARIJUANA INDOORS
Here are some main factors that you should look into before making up your mind on the soil to purchase. When growing marijuana, it is crucial that you tailor a blend that will boost your plant’s performance. However, when creating the perfect environment for your top-quality cannabis, you have to consider the following;
- Soil texture
When growing cannabis, you may want to opt for a loose and light soil texture. A loose texture will help to promote root development, and this texture guarantees a better flow of oxygen. This means there is an uninterrupted flow of oxygen to the roots and creates an environment for optimal health and growth of the plant.
- Water retention
The soil’s ability to hold water is critical. Just as good drainage is a vital factor, so is water retention. Good soil for growing cannabis has to have an excellent balance of drainage and water retention.
- Drainage ability
The soil you choose to grow marijuana has to have optimal drainage. When you water the plants, the water shouldn’t hang on the top of the soil. If the soil’s drainage isn’t right, it may kill your plants or make them sick, either way, resulting in little or no yield.
- pH value
A crucial point to look at is the pH value of the soil. pH is a chemical scale that specifies the acidity and alkalinity of something. This factor is vital because marijuana only performs well in a small pH range. A soil with a pH of 6.0 is suitable for growing weed. A 5.8-6.3 pH will do. However, if it is far from this range, then you would get zero yields. Your plants will die if the pH is off or wrong.
- Nutrients
Marijuana needs soil with nutrients to grow healthy and robust. Thankfully, most of the soils on the market already have nutrients in them. However, you should know that the nutrients usually last only about 3-4 weeks. By the time your marijuana plants begin to flower, the nutrients in the soil would have been exhausted, so this is where you start to add nutrients.
Although, when growing without added nutrients, your soil will need to occupy organic substances like; worm castings, humus, guano or compost, and so on. These microorganisms will help turn the organic substances into nutrients for your plants to depend on.
As listed above, the main things your soil needs to have to ensure healthy plant growth are; excellent water retention, a decent texture, and good drainage. If the soil doesn’t have a loose surface, then your marijuana plants cannot develop strong and sturdy roots. Also, if the soil doesn’t have good drainage, your plants will end up in a puddle of water, starving them of oxygen, which will lead to wilting. Likewise, if the soil doesn’t have good retention of water, your marijuana plant roots will become damaged and dry abruptly.
A good marijuana soil usually looks dark and lovely. It has a sandy but loose texture that helps it to retain ample water without the plant getting starved of oxygen, just as clay soil or mud balls would. You will have to specifically pick a soil that is compatible with the needs of your marijuana strain. For example, some auto-flowering strains may require a different recipe compared to other strains that are photo-period.
If you intend to grow an auto-flowering strain, then it’d be best if you chose a soil that is lightly fertilized. You can also mix up 50% of coco coir(produced from coconut husks to improve water retention) with 50% of soil and a lot of Perlite with a soil that is peat-based. Perlites are airy and light rocks that help improve drainage and ensure optimum drainage.
Also, when in the early stages of growth, you may want to be steady with the fertilizers used and allow your seedlings time to grow out.
The Best soil for growing marijuana indoors Are Reviewed Below
Table of Contents
Here are some of the best soils you can find on the market that are suitable for growing marijuana indoors;
1
FoxFarm Happy Frog Potting Soil
The FoxFarm potting soil is a famous favorite among experienced marijuana growers, and it is a reputable brand. This potting soil is known to be among the highly rated and best organic soil for marijuana plants. It is also great for young plants and seedlings because it contains beneficial microbes and mycorrhizal fungi.
As you grow your plants indoors, this potting soil will help to ensure that your plants get all the benefits of growing outside even though they are grown indoors. If you want your marijuana plants to get the best care with enough nutrients, then you should purchase the FoxFarm happy frog potting soil. The pH of this soil adapts immediately and allows for optimal absorption of nutrients by the plants. This soil is recommended, especially for cannabis that is planted in containers.
This potting soil will help you achieve higher production/yield, a more robust set of plants, and even an ongoing vegetative growth. The FoxFarm potting soil also has a light texture and an aerated pH. It is also suitable for container plants. It doesn’t contain sludge, fillers, and top soil.
This soil mix is one of the best, especially for marijuana and inexperienced marijuana growers. This soil is also great for marijuana seedlings and doesn’t need a high amount of nutrients. The FoxFarm happy frog potting soil is a gentle nutrient mix made specifically for cannabis.
Key Features:
- It is ready to use
- Fine screened potting soil
- Well aerated
- Adjusted pH for optimum results
Specification:
- Dimensions: 29.5 * 18.2 * 4.5 inches
- Brand: Sunlight Suply Inc
- Weight: 14.6 pounds
- Height: 2 cubic feet
Pros
- It is insect free
- It comes already loaded with soil microbes and worm castings
- It is a suitable composition that has a good water retention
- It is the best soil for mature cannabis plants and even seedlings
Cons
- It is quite similar to garden soil mixes
- It may not provide enough P and K for the flowering phase of the cannabis plant
- It sometimes contains a large number of wood chips
2
Fox Farm Ocean Forest 6.3-6.8 PH Plant Garden Potting Soil Mix
The FoxFarm Ocean Forest potting soil mix is a great soil mix for growing cannabis. It is a straightforward soil mix that can be used at all stages of the plant’s vegetative growth, whether it is seedlings or older plants ripe for harvest.
This excellent soil is designed for growing plants indoors or plants grown in containers. This makes it an ideal choice for marijuana growers that are making use of a small grow tent or grow room. This soil mix is pH adjusted and will help you get the best out of the fertilizers you use to boost plants’ growth. This soil mix is already adjusted to the suitable pH range of 6.3 to 6.8 pH. It is a very efficient soil mix and will boost the growth of your cannabis optimally.
Although the fox farm ocean forest soil mix is a bit expensive, it is worth it. You won’t even need a pH pen if you’re growing with this potting soil. FoxFarm also offers a two-pack soil mix that helps growers with additional potting soil.
Key Features:
- It is a fine blend of crab meal, fish meal, earthworm castings, forest humus, and more.
- Adjusted pH in the range of 6.3 to 6.8, which allows for optimum fertilizer intake
- It encourages strong branching and sturdy growth
Specification:
- Dimensions: 11 * 33 * 9 inches
- Brand: FoxFarm
- Weight: 78 pounds
- Height: 1.5 cubic feet
Pros
- It is an easy to use a soil mix
- It is a suitable soil mix for both mature plants and seedlings
- It is Ph adjusted
- FoxFarm offers a two for one deal that will save costs.
Cons
- If you’re only growing a few plants, it is a bit expensive
- It sometimes requires supplement nutrients at the flowering stage
- T doesn’t have enough Perlite to ensure aeration
3
Super Soil Organic Concentrate
The super soil organic concentrate is designed to provide the perfect environment for your cannabis plants to grow. It contains a wide range of beneficial organic nutrients and microorganisms. They all work together to produce bountiful yields and also boost plant growth. This soil product is also among the best soil mix available on the market and is great for indoor-grown marijuana. With this soil, it is vital to remember that you don’t have to add any fertilizers as it is already full of nutrients and microorganisms that will provide the plants with all it needs to grow. Simply add some water. You may also need to add potting soil along with this product because it is quite concentrated, but once that is done, you don’t have to do any other thing.
However, you must know that the super soil concentrate has a pungent smell due to the fact that it is highly concentrated. This soil is purchased and ready to use. It is very convenient to use because it doesn’t require much.
Key Features:
- Organic super concentrated soil
- 5 pounds of the super soil concentrates mixed with soil(potting soil) equals about 26 gallons of soil mix
- You only need water from seedlings to harvest
- Living soil technology for your vegetable garden
Specification:
- Dimensions: 7 * 7 * 5 inches
- Brand: Nature’s living soil
- Weight: 5 pounds
- Height:
Pros
- It is organic
- It is very easy to use
- It is excellent for every stage of growth
- It contains a good range of microorganisms that are beneficial to your plants
Cons
- It may something contain or attract pests
- It is quite small in size
- It is a bit expensive
4
FoxFarm FX14100 Coco Loco Potting Mix
A reputable company, FoxFarm, produces the coco loco potting soil. This soil is best, especially because it provides water to the plants whenever they need it. With its excellent water retention, it promotes self-watering cannabis growth. This potting mix contains primary ingredients like; Fossil, Earthworm castings, Dolomite Lime, Coco Coir, Oyster shell, Norwegian Kelp meal, Perlite, and much more. This potting mix can also be used as a replacement for soil.
This potting soil isn’t bulky, so it can be used when you’re planting from seed because it is safe and won’t burn the plants.
Some weed farmers even recommend a mixture of the coco loc potting soil and the happy frog potting soil for the perfect area/environment for your marijuana plants to grow
The coco loco potting soil mix is a trusted soil mix and produced by a reputable brand.
Key Features:
- Good drainage
- Excellent water retention
- Its lower humidity reduces the chances of attracting root rot and mold as well as insects are less likely to bother your plants
- The presence of coir ensures that water and nutrients are available to the plants as needed.
Specification:
- Dimensions: 29.5 * 4.5 * 18.2 inches
- Brand: Sunlight Supply Inc
- Weight: 40.1 pounds
- Height: 2 cubic foot
Pros
- It is insect free
- It has excellent drainage and water retention system
- It contains potent ingredients ad microorganisms
Cons
- Inferior packaging
5
Big Rootz All Purpose Potting Soil
The big rootz all-purpose potting soil is excellent for new and inexperienced growers. This product can be used both outdoors and indoors and also in greenhouses.
This product is designed and produced by expert cannabis growers.
The bigrootz soil mix is pH adjusted. This way, your plants get the optimal intake of nutrients and water to enhance their growth. This product is passed through quality control before getting to the grower. In the process of quality control, organic and natural materials are added to increase its potency. Its ingredients help to enhance the plant’s vigor, water uptake, and nutrients. Some of these nutrients are; compost, triple washed coir, worm casting, peat, and so on. They enrich the soil with Mycorrhizae.
However, this product is not the best when it comes to nutrients for the soil. You may have to add supplemented nutrients to your cannabis plants during the bloom(flowering) stage, especially if the only source of food is compost.
Key Features:
- pH tested and carefully formulated for maximum results
- It provides increased water and nutrients uptakes to provide overall plant vigor
- Researched developed award-winning proprietary blend
Specification:
- Dimensions: 30 * 40 * 20 inches
- Brand: The soil king
- Weight: 38 pounds
Pros
- It is formulated and designed with mycorrhizae for a rapid root growth
- It contains fore-washed coco coir to enhance the nutrient intake of the plants
- It also contains water-retaining peat
- It is ready to use
Cons
- It is quite expensive
- It may attract pests to the soil
- You still have to check the pH of your water
6
Mother Earth Coco Plus Perlite Mix
This coco and perlite mix is an efficient cannabis potting soil. It is an rhp certified product. The mother earth coco plus perlite mix is a natural product. It is made up of 100% coconut coir. This product is mainly coconut fiber and doesn’t have any artificial additives.
The combination of 70% coco coir and 30% perlite ensures that the crops get better drainage and aeration.
This soil mix can serve as an alternative for soil. However, it doesn’t have nutrients. It is a mix of coco coir and Perlite without soil. While using this mix, you’d still have to purchase nutrients for your plants to supply them with the necessary nutrients that aren’t available in the mother earth coco plus Perlite.
Key Features:
- The mother earth coco plus Perlite can be used with outdoor and indoor grown marijuana
- Coconut coir can withstand compression and tend to last longer in a vessel
- Achieve better drainage and aeration with a mix that contains 30% perlite and 70% of the finest coconut coir
- It is rhp certified
- Natural coco and perlite mix grow media
Specification:
- Dimensions: 16.85 * 8.5 * 8.5 inches
- Brand: Sunlight supply inc
- Weight: 25.8 pounds
Pros
- Excellent drainage
- Great water retention
- It can be used for a plant grown both indoors snd outdoors
- It is an excellent alternative to potting soil
Cons
- Low quality
- It may not have all the nutrients that the plants need in the flowering stage
7
Super Soil Autoflower Concentrate
Though this soil is quite expensive, it is an excellent super soil autoflower mix. Nature’s living soil is great and includes microorganisms like; scleroderma citrinum, Glomus aggregatum, glomus mosseae, scleroderma cepa, glomus etunicatum, and many more.
These organisms allow the cannabis grower to get the plants from seed to harvest. Some of the primary ingredients contained in this product are; azomite, bat guano, organic earthworm castings, coconut water powder, dolomite lime, bone and blood meal, fishbone meal, kelp meal, and alfalfa meal.
Key Features:
- 5 pounds of concentrate mixed with potting soil amend 25 gallons of containers
- Living soil technology designed for auto flower and your vegetable garden
- All-in-one (soil amendment, living soil, top feed, super soil, potting soil, and compost tea)
Specification:
- Dimensions: 8.46 * 6.38 * 5.75 inches
- Brand: Nature’s Living soil
- Weight: 5.1 pounds
Pros
- It is super concentrated
- It is formulated for auto-flowering
- It is all-in-one
- It is highly rated
- It is an established and reputable brand
Cons
- It is pricey
Buying Guide Questions
Here are frequently asked questions about soil for growing marijuana indoors
How much soil does a weed plant need?
For maximum yield, it is advised that you use 25 liters of soil per plant.
What is the best soil brand for weed indoors?
The FoxFarm Happy Frog Potting Soil is the best soil brand for growing weed indoors
Can I use dirt from outside to grow plants?
The soil from the outside garden is denser and more decadent than potting soil. It doesn’t hold enough water, nutrients, and air to support the potted plants. Best seed germination kit
Can I use regular dirt for weed?
Using the proper soil, you get to avoid unnecessary problems that may come with using regular dirt from outside. Your plants also get adequately enriched with all the nutrients they need.
Conclusion
By now, you understand the primary importance of potting soil mix for marijuana. When growing marijuana indoors, using soil mix will improve the plants’ growth and vigor and result in maximum yield. Soil mixes can help your plants to grow appropriately and even give them a pleasant flavor. The FoxFarm Happy Frog Potting soil is our number one soil mix and the best on the market. If you intend on growing cannabis indoors, this soil mix is the best and will produce excellent results.
Ensure that you consider the factors explained above before choosing the soil mix to use.
Also see, Best soil for outdoor marijuana plants