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Growing cannabis indoors can be one of the most enjoyable and rewarding tasks for budding gardeners. But if you’re just starting out, you might not be aware of the best techniques in how to grow marijuana. Beginners are often advised to grow marijuana in soil indoor grow tents instead of hydroponically because hydroponic setups can be expensive and are less forgiving of mistakes.
Do you think you have what it takes to grow your own marijuana? When you are gathering your equipment, you might wonder what soil to use for weed. It’s important that you consider what soil mixtures for cannabis you should be using, as the nutrients, texture, and composition of your marijuana soil mix will play a major role in the success of your growing.
You’ll need the best soil for weed to help you meet your growing goals. There are lots of factors to consider when you are trying to find the best soil for cannabis, but we’re here to help you make sense of what you should be looking for.
Best Soil for Cannabis in 2020: Our Picks
Fox Farm FX14047 2-Cubic Feet FoxFarm Happy Frog Potting Soil
- Balanced pH
- Rich density
- Includes soil microbes
Black Gold 1302040 8-Quart All Organic Potting Soil
- Convenient 2-pack
- Contains perlite
- Added fertilizer
Espoma SS8 8-Quart Organic Seed Starter
- Includes mycorrhizae fungi
- Blend of organic matter
- Reduces transplant shock
Fox Farm FX14100 Coco Loco Potting Mix
- 2 cubic foot bag
- Can be used to grow vegetables
- Contains coco coir
Big Rootz All Purpose Potting Soil pH Adjusted and Enriched to Maximize Root Growth
- Contains compost
- pH adjusted
- Filled with mycorrhizae
Roots Organics Rod Original Potting Soil
- Comes in a heavy-duty grow bag
- Contains fish bone meal and bat guano
- Washed and composted for 24 months
Super Soil Organic Concentrate
- Contains microorganisms
- Good for a vegetable garden
- Concentrated blend
Mother Earth Coco Plus Perlite Mix | 50L | RHP Certified Natural Plant Growth Media
- pH neutral
- Contains coco coir
- Has added perlite
Fox Farm FX14000-2PK Foxfarm FX14000 1.5 Ocean Forest Garden Potting Soil Bags
- 2 separate soil bags included
- pH adjusted
- Contains earthworm castings and fish meal
Miracle-GRO Potting Mix, 16-Quart
- Can be used indoors or outdoors
- Feeds plants for 6 months
- More blooms vs unfed plants
10 Best Soil for Marijuana Reviews in 2020
Fox Farm is a company that is known for producing some of the best soil for growing weed. The Happy Frog potting soil is some of the best soil for marijuana plants, an all-in-one blend that is ready to be used right out of the bag.
This potting soil has a balanced pH that is adjusted to provide for maximum nutritional uptake. It is filled with beneficial soil microbes and mycorrhizal fungi that not only help improve root development, but also support healthy soil life. This is something that is hard to find in indoor potting soils!
This soil has a light texture and is nicely aerated, a recommended blend not only for growing marijuana but for other indoor plants as well. It can enhance vegetative growth as well as flower production.
What We Liked:
- Balanced pH
- Rich density and odor
- Includes soil microbes
What We Didn’t Like:
- Can attract aphids
You can purchase the Black Gold organic potting soil, another best soil for weed, in quantities of one or two packages to help make your purchase more convenient. A good option for novice gardeners, this soil is considered the top-rated soil for weed since it contains small pieces of perlite to keep the soil loose and aerated.
This soil is regionally formulated for western growing areas, but is ideal for indoor use anywhere in the world. It resists bugs and is a great option for potting or repotting your marijuana plants, as well as for supporting their growth in the early stages of development.
What We Liked:
- Comes in a convenient 2-pack
- Contains perlite
- Has added fertilizer
What We Didn’t Like:
- Can develop mold
Another great option in our list of the best soil for growing weed is the Espoma Organic Seed Starter mix. This soil comes in an eight-quart package and is perfect if any kinds of cuttings and seedlings. It is considered a best soil for marijuana plants because it promotes root growth and is a rich blend of the best natural ingredients. It contains sphagnum peat moss, perlite, peat umus, and Myco-tone.
Myco-tone is a unique blend of mycorrhizal fungi. These creatures help support root growth in a natural way, improving the ability of your plants to uptake water and nutrients. You’ll have larger, healthier plants with abundant blooms.
What We Liked:
- Includes mycorrhizae fungi
- Contains a blend of organic matter
- Can reduce transplant shock
What We Didn’t Like:
- Has a tendency to develop mold
Another best potting soil for weed comes from Fox Farm. This soil is unique because it contains coco coir, which acs like small sponges to improve water and nutrient uptake by your plants. This soil drains remarkably well yet can still hold an exceptional amount of water. This excellent drainage reduces overall humidity and makes it easier for your plants to stay healthy.
In addition, the excellent drainage of this soil makes it less likely that your plants will develop mold or root rot. Insects will also be less likely to frequent your potted plants.
What We Liked:
- 2 cubic foot bag
- Can be used to grow vegetables as well as weed
- Contains coco coir for drainage
What We Didn’t Like:
- Not sold in several states
This grow dirt by Big Rootz is one of the best all-purpose potting soils. It is backed by solid scientific research and is an award-winning proprietary blend. It is formulated and pH tested to give you the best soil for marijuana each and every time. The nutrients in this soil are enhanced and provide all the nutrition and water drainage you need to perfectly hydrate and feed your marijuana plants.
What We Liked:
- Contains compost and worm casting
- pH adjusted
- Filled with mycorrhizae to maximize root growth
What We Didn’t Like:
- Can attract flies
Roots Organics produces some of the best soil for growing weed indoors. This best soil for weed is ready-to-use coco fiber-based soil that contains some of the best coco coir on the planet. It is repeatedly washed and composted for two years. Blended with extra long fibers, this potting soil is also amended with organic matter like bat guano, worm castings, feather meal, fish bone meal, green sand, mycorrhizae, soybean meal, humic acid, perlite, pumice, and more.
This potting soil has excellent drainage and comes in a heavy-duty grow bag. It’s even camouflaged to make it even more discreet. All you have to do is cut off the top and plant – everything is ready to be used.
What We Liked:
- Comes in a heavy-duty grow bag
- Contains fish bone meal and bat guano
- Washed and composted for 24 months
What We Didn’t Like:
- Some customers report too much perlite
This best soil for cannabis is also some of the best organic soil you will find. It is concentrated so that just five pounds fills 25 gallons of super soil treated containers. All you have to do is water your plants from seed to harvest – no fertilizing needed.
This soil has unique living soil technology, making it a great choice for a vegetable garden as well as a weed growing operation. It contains microorganisms to support root development and nutrient uptake. And contains a wide variety of bacillus species as well as organic matter like alfalfa meal, dolomite lime, kelp meal, bat guano, blood meal, and more.
What We Liked:
- Contains microorganisms
- Good for a vegetable garden
- Concentrated blend
What We Didn’t Like:
- Has a very strong smell
The marijuana soil mix by Mother Earth is a RHP certified soil that supports natural plant growth. It is an excellent alternative to potting soil that contains coconut coir to improve drainage. The soil also has a perlite blend to improve drainage and aeration as well.
Considered a best soil for cannabis producers, this soil eliminates concerns about overwatering your plants. It is pH neutral and well washed to ensure that your plants grow safely and vigorously.
What We Liked:
- pH neutral
- Contains coco coir
- Has added perlite
What We Didn’t Like:
- Has a chemical smell
Clearly, if you are looking for the best potting soil for weed, look no further than Fox Farm. Another winner on our list of the best soil for weed is the Ocean Forest blend. This ultimate potting soil has absolutely everything your plants could ever want. It contains a proprietary blend of bat guano, earthworm castings, fish meal, crab meal, moss, forest humus, and more.
It is pH balanced at 6.3 to 6.8, providing the perfect environment for growing weed. This pH and drainage encourages the branching and growth habit of your plants, and is ideal for growing weed indoors.
What We Liked:
- 2 separate soil bags included
- pH adjusted
- Contains earthworm castings and fish meal
What We Didn’t Like:
- Pricier option
Miracle-GRO is a well-known company when it comes to producing grow dirt that is some of the best soil for marijuana. While all of Miracle-GRO’s soils are superb, this potting mix is some of the best soil for growing weed indoors. Your plants will grow twice as large and won’t require feeding for at least six months.
In addition, you’ll likely notice more blooms as compared to unfed plants. While it’s best for indoor use, it can also be used in container plants outside,
What We Liked:
- Can be used indoors or outdoors
- Feeds plants for 6 months
- More blooms vs unfed plants
What We Didn’t Like:
- Can be dry
Soil for Weed Buying Guide Questions
When you are trying to figure out what soil to use for weed, the overwhelming amount of choices out there can be daunting. Luckily, there are only a few basic parameters you will want to keep in mind as you begin shopping.
What Soil is Good for Growing Cannabis?
Wondering what soil to use for weed or what a good soil for cannabis might be? There are several factors you should consider. First, your plants’ soil must have good drainage and the ability to retain some water. It should have a decent texture that will support the roots and the development of your plants, too.
Without a good texture – ideally one that is somewhat loose, yet not overly porous – your plants won’t be able to develop strong roots. And if you don’t have good drainage, your plants will become either over- or under-watered, which can cause them to wilt or rot.
You may want to mix about half of your soil with a combination of equal parts coco coir. These soils are made out of coconut husks and can help improve your drainage. Regardless of the type of soil you choose, make sure you take it easy on the fertilizer in the first few weeks or stages of growing your mairjuana plants – you will want to see how your plants react to the soil medium first.
When you are shopping, you will likely be able to choose between an all-in-one soil that has all the nutrients your plants need to survive, or a simple soil that will need to have amendments added. Simple soils are recommended for large-scale outdoor growing, while all-in-one blends are best for novice gardeners.
What Are the Best Soil Mixtures for Cannabis?
Not all soil is the same! When you are looking for good soil for cannabis, you need to remember that soil varies in regards to its pH levels, ability to retain water, texture, drainage abilities, and nutrient makeup. Therefore, you will want to purchase special soil mixtures for cannabis that have certain traits.
The best soil for growing weed will be nice and dark, somewhat loamy and similar in appearance to used coffee grounds. It will have a loose texture that should crumble when you pick it up. This will ensure that your plants are able to retain water without starving your plant of oxygen.
In some cases, you may also want to select a mixture that is designed for your cannabis strain. Some auto-flowering strains need a unique soil recipe that won’t suit other kinds of marijuana plants. For example, auto-flowering plants will need soil that is not heavily fertilized, since they will be able to put on ample growth on their own.
Recap
When you’re growing your own marijuana indoors, basic old-fashioned topsoil or standard potting soil just won’t do it. You need specialized soil that has the nutrients, texture, and drainage abilities that marijuana plants need to thrive. Cannabis needs lots of organic matter in order to grow, so when you are looking for the best soil mixtures for cannabis, you will want to select those that are formulated specifically for growing marijuana.
Once you have your soil, you’re ready to go! Order your seeds and your plants will be flowering in no time.
