The perfect soil for spider plants should not only retain moisture, but also allow for proper drainage. Finding the right soil mix can be difficult, so I compiled this list of the best mixes for an airplane plant.
My personal favorite from the list below would be: Wonder Soil Premium Organic Potting Soil Mix The combination of both perlite and peat moss makes this organic soil mix a hit for the jade plant. The perlite will assist with drainage, while the peat will ensure the soil retains a healthy amount of moisture.
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10 Best Soil Mixes For Airplane Plant
1. Wonder Soil’s Premium Organic Potting Soil Mix
Wonder Soil’s soil mix is a great blend of dry coco coir, with added worm castings, kelp, perlite, and more organic additives to ensure a healthy spider plant! Another feature of this soil mix is that it expands when mixed with water. This small 3 LB bag will expand to 12 quarts of soil mix when wet. In addition to that, Wonder Soil’s mix also comes in a very convenient resealable bag, making it an excellent choice for gardeners with limited storage space.
Reviews:
Reviewers were amazed by the expanding powers of this soil! They also noted the soil’s ability to hold water, making it a good choice for those who don’t want to water frequently. However, reviewers also warn to thoroughly read the direction on the package, as the expanding feature caused some overflow for a few buyers. Another criticism some buyers had was that the mix was a bit dusty upon opening up the package.
2. Kenzoplants’ Professional Potting Soil
This soil mix by Kenzoplants is a combination of 75% peat moss and 25% perlite, making it the best of both worlds for jade plant care. The perlite will allow for fast water drainage, which is essential to stopping root rot and overwatering. On the other hand, the peat moss will help retain enough moisture to keep your spider plant nourished. Kenzoplants also boasts a lightweight soil which will come in handy to allow fast root development.
Reviews:
Reviewers love the excellent quality of this soil. They’re also pleased with the resealable bag that this product comes in, which is very convenient for storage. However, some reviewers were disappointed with the small bag the soil comes in.
3. Noot’s The Mix Potting Soil
On first look, Noot’s The Mix Potting Soil might look like a small bag, but this soil mix packs a powerful punch. Blended with perlite and coconut husk, this light mix will be perfect to foster quick growth for the spider plant’s thick roots. Not only that, but this mix is also blended with organic plant food which will encourage a healthy ribbon plant. The icing on the cake for me is that The Mix Potting Soil is also non-toxic and safe for pets, so you can feel comfortable having this in the house with your furry friends.
Reviews:
Reviewers rave about the sheer quality of Noot’s potting soil. They attribute the growth of strong healthy roots to Noot’s The Mix Potting Soil.
4. The Next Gardener’s Professional Grower Mix Soil
The Next Gardener’s soil mix is on this list for a variety of reasons. Don’t let the advertisement for cacti and succulents fool you, this can be an excellent soil for spider plants. First, its pH is at a neutral level, making it ideal for spider plant growth. In addition to that, this soil’s well-draining blend is perfect for spider plants. I would recommend this to someone who is able to water their spider plants on a regular basis due to the soil’s draining abilities.
Reviews:
Reviewers applaud this soil for its fantastic ability to drain out excess water. They also mentioned that this soil is great for mature plants with full roots. Regrettably, other buyers did report that the soil mix does have an unpleasant smell.
5. Miracle-Gro Houseplant Potting Mix
Miracle-Gro is a household brand name that earns its place in our gardens. This soil for spider plants is designed with indoor plants in mind. It is a mix of perlite, sphagnum, and peat moss, which makes it a perfect balance needed for a beautiful jade plant. The bag size is small, 4 quarts, so this would be a match for small container sizes.
Reviews:
Reviewers are happy with the quality of the soil, praising the soil’s ability to stay moist while also draining out any excess water. However, buyers of this mix did express disappointment in its small bag size.
6. Espoma Organic Potting Mix
This organic mix from Espoma is blended with sphagnum peat moss, peat humus, perlite, dolomitic limestone for a soil that encourages strong root growth in spider plants. This soil is also infused with myco-tone, which is an ingredient that helps the soil stay moist, even during dry weather. The bag this mix comes in is 4 quarts, which is relatively small.
Reviews:
Reviewers loved how well this soil held onto water, saying it helped their plants stay perfectly watered through even the driest of weather. Though reviewers were unhappy with how small the bag was, and the fact that it was pricey for the small amount of soil.
7. Dirtco Indoor Plant Soil
Dirtco soil, manufactured in Kentucky, is made from a blend of natural ingredients including perlite, lime, worm castings, and peat. The bag size is a small 2 quarts, which is a good match for apartment gardeners who do not have room to store excess soil.
8. Miracle-Gro Moisture Control Potting Mix
Are you the type of person who doesn’t want to feel tied down to frequently watering their jade plants? This soil by Miracle-Gro is specially designed to hold in 33% more water than the average soil mix. This is especially convenient to those busy bees with tight schedules. Plant food also enriches the soil and keeps the spider plants strong. The Moisture Control Potting Mix comes in a large 8 quart bag, so you’ll have plenty of soil for all the spider plants you want!
Reviews:
Reviews say this is the ideal soil for those living in hot and dry climates. The coir mixed in the soil makes for great water retention. While reviewers liked how much product they get for their money, some users are disappointed that the bag is not resealable.
9. Miracle-Gro Seed Starting Potting Mix
For the adventurous gardener who is looking to grow their St. Bernard’s lily from seed, this Seed Starting Potting Mix from Miracle-Gro gets the job done. Miracle-Gro boasts that its formula is specially made for fast root growth, which is vital for young seedlings. Even if you are not planning on starting from seed, this soil mix is also a good choice if you intend to purchase a young spider plant. Another positive to this product is the large bag size. This product contains 8 quarts of soil mix, which will come in handy when it’s time to repot your growing St Bernard’s lily.
Reviews:
Reviewers attest that this potting mix works like a charm! Some even rave about how even the most difficult seeds flourished by using this soil by Miracle-Gro. Unfortunately, some reviewers did have the unpleasant experience of finding some mold and fungus upon opening the packaging. Other viewers did note that they found an abundance of sticks in their soil, requiring them to have to sift out the excess.
10. Burpee Organic Potting Mix
This mix by Burpee comes enriched with plant food in the soil mix, which encourages big healthy plants. Burpee’s Organic Potting Mix is also approved organic by the Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI). You also get a lot of product for your money; 9 quarts to be exact. Despite its large size, the bag is still very light, at about 5 pounds. This selection is a good all-purpose choice.
Reviews:
Reviewers loved the plant food that was enriched in the soil, and accredited it to their bountiful plants. Unfortunately, some reviewers did report that they found traces of mold in their bag upon opening it.
Which product from the list should you choose?
Of course there are a lot of options on this list, and each one is different for everyone.
If you’re looking for an overall great soil for spider plants that is also organic, I would go with Wonder Soil’s Premium Organic Potting Soil Mix, Burpee’s Organic Potting Mix, or Espoma’s Organic Potting Mix.
If you’re planting either a very young ribbon plant or starting from seed, I would recommend Miracle-Gro Seed Starting Potting Mix.
If you’re going to be housing your plants indoors, I would recommend Dirtco Indoor Plant Soil, Miracle-Gro Houseplant Potting Mix, and once again, Wonder Soil’s Premium Organic Potting Soil Mix.
If you’re the type who doesn’t like the hassle of frequent watering, I would go with Miracle-Grow Moisture Control Potting Mix.
What pH range is best for spider plants?
Spider ivy will do well in a more neutral pH range. So ideally, a pH of about 6 to 7.5 would be best for an airplane plant.
What fertilizer ratio is best for spider plants?
Conveniently enough, spider plants survive well even without fertilizer. If you do want to go the extra mile with your plant, any all-purpose water soluble fertilizer will do. As far as the ratio of fertilizer, do look for one with a 3-1-2 ratio. Spider plants only need a diluted solution of fertilizer applied very infrequently; about every 2 to 4 weeks.
What is a good pot size for a new spider plant?
While spider plants do well in smaller pot, I would repot a new spider plant in a pot that is 2 inches larger than what you purchased the plant in.
What is a good pot size for a fully grown spider plant?
At maturity, a spider plant can fully grow up to 2 1/2 feet wide and 3 feet long, however they survive best when they’re root bound in a smaller container. I would recommend a pot between 18 to 24 inches as a suitable size for a fully grown spider plant.
What is the original habitat of the spider plant?
Spider plants originally hail from southern Africa, primarily in coastal and tropical regions.
My Personal Favorite
When you’re caring for a spider plant, selecting the right soil for spider plants is essential to its health. The main characteristics of a good soil for spider plants is neutral pH, well-draining, and able to retain the right amount of moisture. After reviewing many different products, I have concluded my personal choice is Wonder Soil’s Premium Organic Potting Soil Mix. This particular soil mix checks off all the boxes for me. It has the right blend of perlite and coco coir, and its convenient space saving package is a huge plus. In addition, its all-natural formula is safe for pets, so you don’t have to worry about keeping it away from your animals.
Works Cited
- Espiritu, Kevin. “Spider Plant Care: Easy Chlorophytum Comosum Tips.” Epic Gardening.
https://www.epicgardening.com/spider-plant/. Accessed 23 March 2021. - Grant, Amy. “Do Spider Plants Need Fertilizer – How To Fertilize Spider Plants.” Gardening
Know How. https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/spider-plant/fertilize-spider-plants.htm#:~:text=Fertilizer%20for%20spider%20plants%20should,suitable%20for%20houseplants%20is%20acceptable. Accessed 25 March 2021. - Jones, Alexandra. “How to Grow Spider Plant (Airplane Plant).” My Domaine.
https://www.mydomaine.com/how-to-care-for-your-spider-plant-4690431. Accessed 23 March 2021. - Spengler, Teo. “Repotting Spider Plants: How Do You Repot A Spider Plant.” Gardening Know How.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/spider-plant/repotting-spider- plants.htm. Accessed 23 March 2021. - Spider Plant Babies. “Spider Plant Care – 8 Things You Need to Know.” Spider Plant Babies.
https://www.spiderplantbabies.com/spider-plant-care/#:~:text=The%20Spider%20Plant%20Product%20Guide,19%2D6%2D12%20fertilizer. Accessed 25 March 2021.
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