Can Houseplants Be Grown With Yard Compost?

Compost can be used in containers for houseplants to improve soil quality, nutrient availability, and plant health. However, it is important to choose the right compost and repot your plants according to the guidelines provided. Most multipurpose compost is too high in nutrients for house plants, as they do not have rainfall to wash away excess nutrients.

When using finished compost, add a few inches to the soil or repot your plant in a mixture of 30 compost and 70 of your usual houseplant soil mix. It is best to use compost once or twice a year. Vermicomposting and in-vessel composting are also beneficial for indoor gardens.

Some common composting items include grass clippings, coffee grounds, and fallen leaves. The hot composting method is an alternative and most effective way to compost human waste and kill dangerous pathogens and bacteria that could harm house plants. To maximize compost’s benefits, use garden soil/top soil mixed in equal parts with grit or perlite, sand, and either homemade compost or composted bark or leaf.

If a potting mix or compost is labeled “multipurpose” or “all-purpose” and says it is suitable for indoor or outdoor plants, then you are safe to use it. However, it is crucial to avoid using a single type of compost for houseplants, as it may be harmful to the plants and may not provide the necessary nutrients for their growth.

What is the difference between garden compost and potting compost?

Potting composts are lightweight, non-soil improvers designed for growing plants in containers. They come in various mixes for seed sowing, cuttings, or ericaceous plants. To ensure quality, it’s important to buy bags labeled ‘peat-free’ and certified for organic growing. Check at your garden center or online. There are two basic types of commercial potting composts, both containing peat unless specified otherwise. It’s crucial to ensure the materials used are natural and suitable for organic growing.

Can I use garden compost in pots?

Garden compost is not suitable for seed sowing or root cuttings due to its high nutrient content and heavy weight. To convert it into potting compost, mix it with sand, grit, topsoil, or leafmould. If you don’t have the materials to make your own compost, purchasing peat-free potting compost in bags is a viable option. These bags are designed for growing plants in containers and come in specific mixes for seed sowing, cuttings, or ericaceous plants.

However, ensure the bag is labeled “peat-free” and certified for organic growing. Check at your local garden center or online if purchasing. Organic materials may mean natural materials, not suitable for organic growing.

Can you use compost for indoor potted plants?

Multi-purpose compost can be used for both indoor and house plants, but it’s important to check the labels and ensure the product is purchased in bulk bags. If the potting mix or type is labeled as’multipurpose’ or ‘all-purpose’, it’s safe to use for house plants. However, normal compost may have some added ingredients to make it more suitable for indoor plants, but most of these ingredients are used for marketing purposes. Double-check with the supplier before using any compost.

Which compost is best for indoor plants?

Multi-purpose compost is suitable for indoor plants, as it can be used for both houseplant soils and composts. Look for high-quality products labeled as “all-purpose” or “multi-purpose” and consider options like Jack’s Magic 50:50 Compost and Westland Peat Free Multi-Purpose Compost with John Innes 50L Compost for healthy potted plants. At Whitakers Garden Centre, customers can explore their range of composts, barks, and mulches in-store or online.

What is the difference between houseplant compost and garden compost?

Multipurpose compost is not suitable for house plants due to its high nutrient content, which can lead to brown leaves, stunted growth, and chemical burns. Instead, consider using peat-free compost, which is made from decomposed plants and provides a carbon sink. However, peat compost can starve plant roots of oxygen as it compacts down.

There are several peat-free compost mixes available, such as coco coir, which is made from coconut husk fibers and takes 3-8 years to grow. Coconut trees can live up to 100 years and convert carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, making it a sustainable choice for house plants. Coco coir is made from the bits from coconut husk fibers, which would otherwise go to waste.

Is garden compost good for plants?

Compost plays an essential role in promoting healthy plant growth by maintaining soil density, supplying and retaining nutrients, and preventing the spread of disease, pests, and weeds. This process ultimately fosters resilient and healthy plant growth.

Can you use normal compost for houseplants?

Potting mix or compost labeled as’multipurpose’ or ‘all-purpose’ is suitable for indoor or outdoor plants. However, multipurpose compost often contains a high percentage of organic matter, making it denser and reducing air circulation. Indoor plants prefer well-aerated compost with a lighter texture, and can benefit from a mix specifically designed for indoor plants. Adding perlite or vermiculite to a multipurpose compost can improve drainage and aeration. It’s recommended to replace potting compost every couple of years, as plants will consume nutrients over time.

Can you repot houseplants in garden compost?

Houseplants are low-maintenance plants that occasionally need to be re-potted. They may show signs of struggling, such as yellowing foliage, excessive leaf loss, sluggish growth, poor flowering, and a mass of roots emerging from the base of pots. Compost can become depleted over years, and stressed plants are more prone to aphid infestations. To repot houseplants, choose a slightly larger container with plenty of drainage holes to reduce overwatering.

Water plants a day before repotting to ease them from their old pots and minimize damage to roots. To remove the old pot, gently ease the root ball from the pot, and remove any dead or damaged roots. Fill the base of the new pot with houseplant compost, place the plant in the new pot, add or remove compost to prevent water spilling over the edges, and fill the gaps at the sides of the root ball with fresh potting mix. Gently firm the compost and water well.

What happens if you use garden soil for indoor plants?

Garden soil is not suitable for indoor plants due to its heavy and dense nature. Over time, it can compact and suffocate the roots of the plants. The best potting mix for houseplants is a blend of sphagnum peat moss, perlite, and organic material like humus. Soil is not sterile and can contain pathogens or weed seeds. Peat moss is not sustainable as it takes ages to regenerate and peat bogs cannot keep up with the rate of harvesting. Some countries, like the United Kingdom, are moving towards banning the use of peat moss in potting mixes.

Can I use only compost as potting soil?

Compost can be used as a mulch in gardens to improve soil and fertility over time. However, it is recommended to mix both compost and potting soil to ensure plants receive the benefits of both without losing nutrients, water retention, and support. Compost and potting media can be used in various ways in a garden, such as as a mulch on garden beds or borders, filling raised beds with organic material to compost, sowing seeds in seed trays, flats, or pots, and filling containers and planters in container gardens.

In a no-dig garden, it is best to leave the soil undisturbed and keep digging and tilling to a minimum. By incorporating both compost and potting media into your garden, you can ensure your plants receive the benefits of both nutrients and support without losing out on these benefits.

Is garden soil ok for potted plants?

Potting mix is a crucial component for growing plants in containers or pots. It is lightweight, retains moisture, and provides ample air space around the roots. It is essential for plants to have enough air to survive. Good potting mixes typically contain an organic component like peat moss, compost, bark, vermiculite or perlite, sand, nutrients, and limestone. Some may also contain fertilizer or moisture-retaining treatments.

Potting mix ingredients include organic materials like peat moss, compost, bark, vermiculite or perlite, sand, nutrients, and limestone. Some potting mixes may also contain fertilizer or moisture-retaining treatments. Knowing the ingredients in a potting mix is crucial for determining its suitability for the plants you are growing.

General potting mixes are suitable for most annuals and vegetables grown in containers, but they may hold too much moisture for orchids, succulents, or cacti. Specialty mixes are available for these plants and can provide benefits. Peat moss, a major component of potting mixes, is a special type of organic material derived from decomposed plants in bogs. It retains moisture without becoming waterlogged, is lightweight, and does not become easily compressed.