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Soil falls into three main types - sand, clay and silt. Generally speaking, the best potting soil for growing flowers is an even mix of the three aforementioned soil types and is called sandy loam. This mix will ensure optimum growth conditions for most flowers. Yes, most flowers, but not all flowers. Depending on the plants you’ll be looking after, you might need to go for a particular type of soil. So, let’s take a look at the different types of soil and which plants grow best in which.
Types of soils and when to use them
Soil texture normally depends on the amount of silt, sand and clay it contains. That being said, the quality of nutrients and drainage properties of the soil will depend a lot on its texture.
Loam Soil
Loam soil consists of a well-balanced mix of sand, silt, clay and humus. The reasons this soil is so often used for growing plants are the following:<.p>
Advantages of loam soil
- It contains high calcium levels - Calcium is good for stimulating healthy plant growth. It helps maintain the balance of soil chemicals and ensures that water reaches the flowers’ roots by improving the soil’s water-retaining ability. Calcium also helps loosen the soil and this way, facilitating oxygen to reach the plant’s roots. Calcium is great for reducing the amount of salt found in the soil. Which is great, considering that too much salt can damage a plant’s root system and limit its ability to absorb all of the much needed nutrients.
- It has higher pH levels - Most plants prefer pH levels between 6.0 and 7.0. The plant’s ability to grow is greatly influenced by the soil’s pH level. Since loam soil’s acidity is within the favorable range, it allows for good plant nutrients and other soil organisms, such as earthworms, to thrive in it.
- Has a gritty texture - Loam soil is dry and soft but has a nice gritty texture, which causes it to crumble easily. This type of texture helps increase its amazing draining properties, while also retaining water and plant nutrients. So, plants have consistent moisture and food. And since loam soil is crumbly, this also allows for air to easily flow through it all the way down to the roots.
Disadvantages of loam soil
- There are instances in which loamy soils contain stones that may affect the harvest of certain crops.
Plants that grow well in loamy soil
Rubus
This hardy plant prefers full to partial shade and grows best in moist loamy soil.
Wisteria
Wisterias love well-drained, fertile and rich in nutrients and organic matter loamy soil.
Silt Soil
Silt-based soil is composed of intermediate sized particles and can be a bit tricky to work with. Since there’s a risk of it compacting when wet, you will need to increase its organic matter by mixing it in with compost and other soil microbe-rich products. Here are some of the advantages and disadvantages of using silt soil in your garden:
Advantages of silty soil
- Silt is very fertile and holds on to nutrients very well
- Has good water holding capacity
Disadvantages of silty soil
- Water filtration of silty soils is usually poor
- Can become hard and compact
- Silt soils often form a crust
Plants that grow well in silty soil
Yellow Iris
An adaptive flower, which is often grown around a garden pond or stream.
Swamp Milkweed
A flower, which thrives in soggy soil.
Japanese Iris
A flower that loves water and is best planted around a water feature or wet area inside your garden.
Sandy Soil
Sand is the most prevalent part of this type of soil and its consistency is light and gritty to the touch. Sandy soil doesn’t have many benefits and can be used to grow only a few types of plants. However there are ways to make it more manageable. For example you can amend sandy soil with fewer fertilizers and small amounts of water but on a more regular basis. Its organic matter can be improved by adding compost to the mix.
Advantages of sandy soil
- Warms up quickly during spring
Disadvantages of sandy soil
- Dries out very quickly during summer
- Any nutrients you do put in it are oftentimes washed away during rainfall
Plants that grow well in sandy soil
Butterfly Weed
This butterfly magnet of a plant loves full sun exposure and prefers well-draining, dry sand-based soil.
Adam's Needle
This plant loves dry sandy soil and hates damp soils, which cause its roots to rot. Also, Adam's Needle can tolerate salt spray, which is said to decrease blooming and enhance the plant's green color.
Blanket Flower
This drought-tolerant plant thrives best in sandy, almost pH-neutral soil.
Wormwood
A perennial herb, which is drought-resistant and grows particularly well in less fertile, dry sandy soil.
Clay Soil
Clay soil contains copious amounts of clay and due to that, it drains very poorly. However, with the right management techniques you can improve its overall quality. Simply amend your clay soil with compost and products rich in soil microbes in order to improve its organic matter. Also, try not to work on the soil while it’s still wet.
Advantages of clay soil
- Clay soils are good at holding onto nutrients
- This type of soil is amazing for growing plants which require copious amounts of water
Disadvantages of clay soil
- Drains very slowly
- Warms up slowly during spring
- Compacts easily
- Is often too alkaline
Plants that grow well in clay soil
Black-eyed Susan
This plant can survive in both loamy and clayey soils, but does need proper drainage.
Bee Balm
There are varieties of Bee Balm that prefer sandy soils and others that grow better in loamy or clayey types of soil.
Goldenrod
A very adaptable flower that can survive in pretty much any soil, even clay.
How to grow indoor plants with soil from your garden?
When it comes to growing houseplants, avoid scooping soil directly from your back garden. Since garden soil contains many different types of bacteria, this can be harmful for your houseplants.
However, if you’re really keen on growing your houseplants in soil from your garden, make sure to sterilise it, first. Pasteurising outdoor soil will help you eliminate any disease, weeds or pest insects from it. The process itself is quite easy, simply spread your soil on a baking sheet, place it in the oven and bake for around 30 minutes at 180 °C. Just bear in mind that this method, although effective, will leave a foul odour in your kitchen once done.
Once the soil has been sterilised, you’ll have to amend it with the necessary amount of sand and peat moss. Adding these to the mix will help improve your soil’s drainage, air flow and moisture-retaining properties.
How to mix a batch of amazing soil for houseplants at home
Outdoor soil aside, another way to get great soil for your houseplants is to make your own mix. For this, you will need to buy a few different types of soil and soil amendments. In order to get the best quality soil, buy and mix the following:
- Half a cubic yard of yard perlite
- Half a cubic yard of peat moss
- Ten pounds of bone meal
- Five pounds of limestone
- Five pound sof blood meal
Once you mix all five of these, store the finished product in a proper airtight container. Open it only when you need to use the soil.
What to look out for when buying or making soil
When mixing or buying soil for your back garden or houseplants, it’s always important to follow certain guidelines. By that we mean - make sure that the soil you’ll be using isn’t contaminated. Also, beware that sometimes store-bought soil may contain weed seeds, which you don’t want, of course.
Watch out for large stones and debris
Things like plant roots, stones, decaying wood or manmade rubbish should definitely not be part of your soil mix. These can block your flowers’ root-run and cause drainage problems. Buying soil is pretty much the same thing as mixing it - always inspect what you’re getting. You don’t want any rocks as part of your soil mix, so opt for some good ol’ screened soil from a reputable supplier.
Screened soil is soil that has passed through a giant sieve, in order for any large particles to get filtered away. If your soil supplier tells you that their soil has gone through 20mm screening, this means that nothing with a diameter bigger than 2 cm has passed through the sieve.
Never buy soil that has been chemically contaminated
If you’re planning on mixing your own soil at home, you don’t really need to worry about your soil being chemically contaminated, unless you dumped some chemicals on it yourself. However, when buying your soil from a retailer, always ask them for a certificate, which proves that their soil has been tested for chemical contaminants. Because even though, sometimes, these can be sniffed out, most of the time, they blend in with the smell of the soil.
So, to sum up, learn what the plants you want to have prefer as a growing medium. Always, make sure to use reputable soil suppliers, when you need to buy some soil. And last but not least, don’t be afraid to make your own potting mix, as this will ensure that you get the best type of soil for your particular plants you’d like to grow.
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As a seasoned gardening enthusiast with years of hands-on experience and a deep understanding of soil science, I can confidently navigate through the intricacies of selecting the best soil for various plants. My expertise is rooted in practical knowledge gained from tending to a diverse range of plants and cultivating thriving gardens.
In the article about the best soil for planting flowers, the author covers essential concepts related to soil types and their suitability for different plants. Let's break down the key points and elaborate on each concept:
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Soil Types: Sand, Clay, and Silt
- The article begins by introducing the three main types of soil: sand, clay, and silt. These are fundamental components that determine soil texture.
- It emphasizes the importance of an even mix of these soil types, known as sandy loam, as the best potting soil for growing flowers.
-
Loam Soil
- Loam soil is highlighted as a well-balanced mix of sand, silt, clay, and humus.
- Advantages include high calcium levels, optimal pH levels, and a gritty texture promoting good drainage, aeration, and moisture retention.
- Plants such as Dog’s Tooth Violet, Rubus, and Wisteria are recommended for loamy soil.
-
Silt Soil
- Silt-based soil is described as having intermediate-sized particles with good fertility and nutrient retention.
- Advantages include fertility and water-holding capacity, but there's a risk of compaction.
- Plants like Yellow Iris, Swamp Milkweed, and Japanese Iris thrive in silty soil.
-
Sandy Soil
- Sandy soil is characterized by its prevalence of sand, light and gritty consistency, and quick warming during spring.
- Advantages include quick warming, but it dries out rapidly, and nutrients may wash away easily during rainfall.
- Plants like Butterfly Weed, Adam's Needle, Blanket Flower, and Wormwood are recommended for sandy soil.
-
Clay Soil
- Clay soil is described as having poor drainage due to its high clay content.
- Advantages include nutrient retention, making it suitable for plants requiring ample water.
- Disadvantages include slow drainage, slow warming in spring, compaction, and alkalinity.
- Plants like Black-eyed Susan, Bee Balm, and Goldenrod are suggested for clay soil.
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Growing Indoor Plants with Garden Soil
- The article advises against using garden soil directly for indoor plants due to potential bacteria. If using garden soil, sterilization is recommended through pasteurization.
- The pasteurization process involves baking the soil to eliminate diseases, weeds, and pests.
- Amendments like sand and peat moss are recommended to improve drainage and moisture retention.
-
Mixing Soil for Houseplants
- The article provides a recipe for a homemade potting mix, combining yard perlite, peat moss, bone meal, limestone, and blood meal for optimal soil quality.
- Proper storage in an airtight container is emphasized.
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Tips for Buying or Making Soil
- Guidelines for selecting uncontaminated soil are outlined.
- Importance of inspecting for large stones, debris, and weed seeds when buying soil is stressed.
- Recommendations for screened soil, free from particles exceeding a specified diameter, are provided.
- Caution against chemically contaminated soil when buying from retailers is highlighted.
In conclusion, the article offers a comprehensive guide to understanding different soil types, their characteristics, and the plants best suited for each. The inclusion of practical tips for indoor and outdoor gardening further adds to the depth of knowledge presented.
