3 reasons why using garden soil in pots harms plants' health, say experts

When it comes to planting, you would be forgiven for reusing garden soil in your pots. This rich organic material is readily available – and appears to contain all the nutrients your plants may crave for the best start in life. 

However, garden experts have revealed that using soil in pots is a deceivingly dangerous garden idea that will hinder your plant's health in the long term. Here’s what you need to know. 

Why using soil in pots will impact your plants' health

‘Garden soil is soil that is specifically meant for use in outdoor gardens. It is usually a mixture of loam, sand, and clay, and it is often enriched with organic matter such as compost or manure,’ explains the founder of Gardening Boost, Rodger St. Hilaire. 

However, while this mixture is beneficial for gardens, says Rodger, it doesn’t cater to the needs of your container plants. 

‘Using garden soil in pots is not ideal. The reason is that it tends to dry out more quickly than other types of soil and it can become compacted in pots,’ Rodger says. This makes it harder for plant roots to grow and access the nutrients they need – meaning your container gardening ideas' health will be impacted in a few ways… 

1. Using soil in pots will lead to nutrient problems

Garden expert and founder of Urban Organic Yield, Lindsey Hyland, warns that there are several downsides to using soil from your garden in your pots. However, the most significant problem is that the soil’s pH is not ideal for container plants. This can, therefore, lead to nutrient deficiencies that will negatively impact your plants' health. 

2. Using soil in pots can cause bacterial and fungal spread

Another problem with using soil in your containers is that the soil may contain harmful bacteria or fungi that could infect your plants and cause them to die. 

If you have no choice but to use garden soil, Rodger urges you to sterilize it first by cooking it in the oven. This should limit the bacteria in the container and allow your plant to flourish with less chance of running into problems. 

3. Garden soil is too dense for healthy growth 

‘Garden soil is often too dense for pots, which can cause water to pool on the soil's surface and prevent it from draining properly. This can lead to root rot and other plant problems,’ Rodger explains. Therefore, while this natural solution may be good for your flower bed ideas, you should avoid using them in pots and invest in potting soil that is made for the job. 

The season of planting with the right soil begins now.