Shopping The 11 Best Seed-Starting Soil Mixes of 2023 We chose Espoma Organic Seed Starter as our top pick because it has premium ingredients designed to promote plant health. By Renee Freemon Mulvihill Published on February 14, 2023 Share Tweet Pin Email In This Article Expand Jump to a Section Our top picks Reviews The Bottom Line What to Know Before Shopping Your Questions, Answered Who We Are We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Better Homes & Gardens / Kevin Liang Nothing gets us more excited about the upcoming gardening season than starting seeds indoors. As you watch those tiny seedlings emerge, you can have fun dreaming about the vegetables and flowers that will soon populate your outdoor garden. But successfully germinating seeds requires that you first find a good seed starting mix. Ironically, the best soil for starting seeds is not actually soil at all. Instead, seed starting mixes include a special blend of ingredients to provide just the right conditions for those tiny seeds to germinate and grow. “Seed starting soil should be sterile and fresh to avoid weed seeds and fungal spore infections,” says Ruth Rogers Clausen, a horticulturist, speaker, and author. “It’s not chunky and seldom contains field soil or ‘dirt’ from outdoors.” Traditionally, these mixes have used sphagnum peat moss to ensure the soil has a good mix of drainage and water retention, and many seed starting mixes still do. Some companies have switched to using coconut coir because of concerns over the sustainability of peat. Keep reading to see our full list of the best soil for starting seeds. Our Top Picks Best Overall: Espoma Organic Seed Starter Potting Mix at Amazon Jump to Review Best Budget: Back to the Roots Organic 3-in-1 Seed Starting Soil at Amazon Jump to Review Best Organic: Coast of Maine Sprout Island Organic Seed Starter at Amazon Jump to Review Best Pellets: Minute Soil Compressed Coco Coir at Amazon Jump to Review Best for Indoors: Jiffy-7 Peat Pellets at Amazon Jump to Review Best Coir: Burpee Organic Coconut Coir Concentrated Seed Starting Mix at Amazon Jump to Review Best for Vegetables: Gardener’s Supply Organic Seed Starting Mix at Amazon Jump to Review Best for Herbs: Burpee Eco-Friendly Natural & Organic Seed Starting Mix at Walmart Jump to Review Best for Microgreens: SunGro Black Gold Natural & Organic Potting Mix at Amazon Jump to Review Best for Succulents: Bonsai Jack’s Gritty Mix at Amazon Jump to Review Best Overall Espoma Organic Seed Starter Potting Mix Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Macy's Why You Should Get It: This is a versatile seed starting mix packed with beneficial microbes.Keep in Mind: This mix does include sphagnum peat moss. Our top pick for the best soil for starting seeds is this mix from Espoma. It’s a versatile seed starting mix from a trusted brand that includes a lot of ingredients that are beneficial to plant growth. Plus, we like the fact that it’s organic. Although this seed starting mix does use sphagnum peat moss rather than coir, the company is committed to using renewable and sustainable ingredients and practices. (The manufacturing facility is 100% solar-powered, for example.) In addition to including peat moss for drainage, the seed starting mix also includes perlite for aeration, and it’s enhanced with Myco-tone. This is the company’s blend of beneficial microbes that help encourage plants to grow stronger roots and take up more water and nutrients so plants can grow bigger. Another bonus: This mix doesn’t have as many sticks and large chunks of bark as some other seed starting mixes do, which helps increase germination rates and ensure that even small seeds can push through the soil and develop strong roots. Because of its beneficial and quality ingredients, this is the best overall soil for starting seeds. Price at time of publish: $21 Product Details: Bag Capacity: 8 quarts | Organic: Yes | Suggested Use: All seed types Best Budget Back to the Roots Organic 3-in-1 Seed Starting Soil Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Target Why You Should Get It: Coco coir replaces peat in this soil mix, which is a big bonus for some gardeners who are interested in sustainable products. Keep in Mind: Don’t be surprised if you find large chunks of wood in the mix; it doesn’t have as fine of a texture as other seed starting mixes. If you are looking for an affordable soil for starting seeds, the Roots 3-in-1 Organic Seed Starting Soil offers a great option that’s not only budget-friendly, but also peat-free. This seed starting mix is blended in the U.S. and works well for herbs, vegetables, and flowers, and can also be used to start cuttings. The mix includes yucca extract to help maintain soil moisture and beneficial mycorrhizae microbes to promote stronger roots. Coconut coir replaces the peat moss and helps increase the seedling’s uptake of nutrients. Limestone in the mix keeps the pH neutral (ideal conditions for the majority of plants), thanks to a blend of calcium carbonate, and magnesium carbonate. Keep in mind that this mix may contain some larger wood chunks. Although a fine textured seed starting mix is ideal for better germination rates, this product still does a great job of providing plants the nutrients seedlings need to thrive at an affordable price point. Plus, the company offers a guarantee—if your seedlings don’t grow, they’ll send you a new bag of seed starting mix. We also love the fact that if you post a picture of yourself gardening with their products on social media, they’ll donate a grow kit to a school of your choice. Price at time of publish: $8 Product Details: Bag Capacity: 12 Quarts | Organic: Yes | Suggested Use: All seed types Best Organic Coast of Maine Sprout Island Organic Seed Starter Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Home Depot Why You Should Get It: This mix contains quality compost, beneficial microbes, and natural moisture retention. Keep in Mind: It does contain sphagnum peat moss, which is a concern for some gardeners. If you’re looking for an organic soil mix, the Coast of Maine Sprout Island Organic Seed Starter is a great choice. This organic mix can be used to germinate seeds or start cuttings. It’s ready to add to cell packs, trays, or flats—no extra steps needed. Made in Maine and Pennsylvania from all natural ingredients, it’s listed as safe to use for organic gardening by the Organic Materials Review Institute (look for the OMRI-Listed seal on seed-starting mix packages.) This seed starting mixture is a blend of sphagnum peat moss and perlite, as well as kelp meal, worm castings, and well-aged compost—all of which serve as mild natural fertilizers that help create the ideal conditions for germinating seeds. This seed starting mix also contains mycorrhizae, beneficial microbes for plant growth and its target pH is 6.2. A neutral pH of around 5.5-7.0 provides ideal growing conditions for the majority of plants. Overall, this mix is a great choice for organic gardeners thanks to the fact that it’s packed with beneficial ingredients that carefully balance moisture retention and aeration. It can be used to germinate all types of seeds, including vegetables, flowers, and herbs. Price at time of publish: $24 Product Details: Bag Capacity: 8 quart, 16 quart or 2cf bags | Organic: Yes | Suggested Use: All seed types The 13 Best Potting Soils for Indoor and Outdoor Plants Best Pellets Minute Soil Compressed Coco Coir Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Trueleafmarket.com Why You Should Get It: These pellets are lightweight, convenient to ship and store, and they’re made from sustainable coconut coir. Keep in Mind: You need to add water to transform these disks into loose soil before planting. The best soil for starting seeds can come in many forms. These 40 millimeter dehydrated soil pellets may not look like traditional soil at first, but their ability to change shape may just inspire young gardeners to give seed starting a try. To use, simply add 1/3 cup of water to each disk and it will expand into 3/4 cup of soil. Unlike large bags of potting soil, these disks are convenient to ship and transport—plus, you can take out just a few at a time and save the rest for a later time. This seed starting product is made from sustainable, raw coconut coir, which has been dried and compressed into pellets. Because coconut coir retains water, you can use these discs for starting seeds or expand them and add some to potting soil for houseplants to help improve water retention. The soil’s light texture also works well for growing seedlings. These pellets can be used for any type of seeds, but they work especially well for microgreens. They are also OMRI-listed for organic gardening. Several pellet sizes, as well as bricks and a wheelbarrow block are available—choose the size based on how much soil you need. Price at time of publish: $18 Product Details: Bag Capacity: 30 pucks/5.5 quarts of soil | Organic: Yes | Suggested Use: All seed types (or as additive to potting mix) Best for Indoors Jiffy-7 Peat Pellets Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Walmart Why You Should Get It: These pellets offer a great way to start seeds indoors without a lot of mess; plus, they can help avoid transplant shock when you move the seedlings out to your garden.Keep in Mind: These pellets are made from peat moss, rather than coconut coir. These soil pellets offer an easy way to start seeds indoors and transplant them out into the garden at a later time. Simply add water to the pellets and they expand so you can plant your seed right into the pellet, which means you don’t have to deal with the mess of pouring loose soil. The pellets are held together by a thin, degradable netting. Once your seedlings are large enough for transplanting, you can bring the expanded pellet and seedling out to the garden and plant it as is (including the netting)—which reduces the chance for transplant shock and root damage. This easy-to-use system can be a bonus for beginning gardeners. These Jiffy-7 pellets are 36 millimeters which expand to about 1.25 inches in diameter. The pellets are also available in a 42-millimeter size that expands to about 1.75 inches in diameter. You can find these pellets in small packages or large quantities that are likely more than most home gardeners need. These pellets are made with sphagnum peat moss rather than coconut coir, but the peat comes from specially selected peat bogs to minimize environmental impact. They have a pH of about 5.3 and also contain limestone to ensure a neutral ph and worm castings to serve as a natural fertilizer. Price at time of publish: $12 Product Details: Bag Capacity: 50 pellets | Organic: No | Suggested Use: All seed types The 10 Best Heirloom Seeds of 2023 Best Coir Burpee Organic Coconut Coir Concentrated Seed Starting Mix Amazon View On Amazon View On Burpee.com Why You Should Get It: These dehydrated bricks are made from a renewable resource—plus, they don’t take up much room and can be easily stored until you’re ready to start your seeds. Keep in Mind: The bricks are easy to expand by adding water, but this does add an extra step to the seed starting process. You’ll also need to store any leftover mix in a sealed container. Coconut coir is a renewable resource made from recycled coconut husks and has become a popular alternative to peat moss among gardeners concerned about sustainable practices. Coconut coir does a great job of holding just the right amount of moisture for seedlings and improves nutrient absorption. Burpee’s Organic Seed Starting Mix is sold as two bricks which together expand to provide about 16 quarts of seed starting mix when you add water. You can break off part of the brick if you don’t need a smaller amount. The bricks are easy to transport and store until you’re ready to start your seeds. They work well for starting a variety of seeds, such as flower, herb, and vegetable seeds. Since coconut coir does such a great job of retaining water, the mix can also be added to compost or other potting soil for use in containers for houseplants and raised beds outside. This eco-friendly product is also OMRI-listed as safe for organic gardening. Keep in mind that if you expand more soil than you need for your current seeds, you’ll need to find a sealed container to store your leftover mix in, since this product isn’t sold in a bag like other types of seed starting mixes. Price at time of publish: $13 Product Details: Bag Capacity: Two bricks expand to 16 quarts | Organic: Yes | Suggested Use: All seed types (and established plants) The 9 Best Indoor Gardens of 2023 for Growing Delicious Herbs and Vegetables Best for Vegetables Gardener’s Supply Organic Seed Starting Mix Amazon View On Amazon View On Gardeners.com Why You Should Get It: This seed starting mix helps give seedlings a strong head start, and you won’t find large pieces of bark in it like you can with other mixes. Keep in Mind: It’s not organic, and it does contain Canadian sphagnum peat moss. The best soils for starting seeds contain a mix of beneficial ingredients and the Gardener’s Supply Organic Seed Starting Mix is a good example. It features a host of ingredients designed to promote strong and healthy vegetable plants. It contains Canadian sphagnum peat moss to help with drainage, perlite to provide aeration, limestone, and a wetting agent. The manufacturer’s SuperRoot Booster with MycoActive Technology adds beneficial microbes to help plants thrive, promotes strong roots, boosts nutrient and water uptake, and improves the plant’s resilience to drought and stress. Because of these added ingredients designed to make the seedlings grow bigger more quickly, you may be able to transplant them outside a bit sooner than you would otherwise. The seed starting mix works well in both self-watering and traditional seed-starting trays. It can also be used outside in raised beds and containers. In addition to vegetable seeds, it works well for herbs and flowers, too. This is a versatile mix that promotes strong, healthy growth; however it’s not an organic product, so it may not be the best choice for those committed to organic gardening practices. Price at time of publish: $16 Product Details: Bag Capacity: 9 quarts | Organic: No | Suggested Use: All seed types Best for Herbs Burpee Eco-Friendly Natural & Organic Seed Starting Mix Burpee View On Walmart View On Burpee.com View On Menards.com Why You Should Get It: This eco-friendly mix is made of coconut coir and is OMRI-listed for organic gardening.Keep in Mind: It works great for starting seeds, but it doesn’t provide enough nutrients for more established plants. Burpee’s Eco-Friendly Natural & Organic Seed Starting Mix gives herb seedlings a healthy start and is OMRI-Listed as safe to use for organic gardening—always a good option for plants that you’ll use for cooking and eating. This product is labeled as eco-friendly primarily because it’s made using coconut coir, a renewable resource created by recycling the husks of harvested coconuts, rather than peat moss which some gardeners have raised concerns about. The coir helps improve drainage and water retention in the mix, while perlite ensures aeration. The seed starting mix has a neutral pH so it works well for a variety of plants, including herbs, vegetables, and flowers. It contains a mild fertilizer (made partly from composted poultry manure) to provide a little extra nitrogen to help seedlings grow. This seed starting mix is enriched with Burpee’s natural and organic plant food, but the levels of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium it provides is low (as is common in seed starting mixes), so you’ll need to move seedlings to a more nutrient-rich soil once they grow their first set of true leaves, or transplant them outdoors into your garden. Price at time of publish: $8 Product Details: Bag Capacity: 8 quarts | Organic: Yes | Suggested Use: All seed types Best for Microgreens SunGro Black Gold Natural & Organic Potting Mix Amazon View On Amazon View On Ace Hardware Why You Should Get It: This mix is a great choice if you want to buy just one product for seed starting and established containers—plus it’s organic and made with natural ingredients. Keep in Mind: It’s an all-purpose potting mix which also works well for starting seeds, but it’s not technically defined as a seed starting mix. Microgreens are packed with nutrients and easy to grow from seed; an organic potting mix like Black Gold Natural & Organic Potting Mix makes sense for these ultra-healthy greens. This mix can actually be used for seed starting and beyond and works well indoors and out. The rich, loamy mix contains Canadian sphagnum peat moss, composted or aged bark, compost, worm castings, perlite pumice or cinders, and organic fertilizer. The mix is porous and fine, which is ideal for the small roots and shoots of microgreens. Since these microgreens will be harvested so early they don’t really need the included fertilizer, but it comes in handy if you’ll use this mix for other established plants too. The potting mix also contains a silicone-enriched additive to prevent wilting and offers a good mix of drainage and water retention to help microgreens and other plants thrive. This mix works well for starting seeds for microgreens, as well as vegetables, herbs, and flowers. In addition to seed starting, it can be used for established plantings in hanging baskets and outdoor containers and houseplants inside. It can also be used in raised beds if you are starting microgreens there, making it a very versatile choice. It’s OMRI-listed for organic gardening. Price at time of publish: $17 Product Details: Bag Capacity: 8 quarts | Organic: Yes | Suggested Use: All seed types (and established plants) Best for Succulents Bonsai Jack’s Gritty Mix Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Bonsaijack.com Why You Should Get It: It’s fast draining to help prevent root rot, a common problem when gardeners overwater their succulents. Keep in Mind: This general potting mix (which can also be used for starting seeds) is a bit pricier than many other seed starting mixes. Although succulents are commonly started from cuttings, it is possible to start them from seed. Be aware, though, that many of the succulent seeds are very tiny and may be harder to work with than some other types of seeds. This potting mix, designed for succulents, cacti, and bonsai, is very fast-draining, an ideal characteristic for succulents. Because it drains so quickly, this mix can help prevent root rot often caused by overwatering. The ready-to-use mix has an optimized pH of 5.5, which is ideal for succulents, cacti, bonsai, and other plants that do well in acidic soil. It’s a great choice for echeveria, crassula, lithops, jade, aloe, haworthia, crassula, and more. Made with pine coir, bonsai block (calcined clay), and Monto clay, it’s very lightweight and free of peat moss. In addition to seed starting, this mix can be used for established succulent plants as well. Although the price tag is higher than other seed starting mixes, you can use it for more than just seed starting. In fact, you’ll want to keep it around for established plants, because the tan, dark brown, and other earth tones in the potting mix will look great in your planters. Price at time of publish: $16 Product Details: Bag Capacity: 2 quarts | Organic: No | Suggested Use: Succulent seeds and established succulents The 5 Best Soils for Succulents of 2023 for Thriving Plants Best for Flowers Premier Horticulture Pro Mix Organic Seed Starting Mix Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Macy's Why You Should Get It: This mix contains organic fertilizer and beneficial microbes to promote plant growth.Keep in Mind: This product is not the most affordable option and it does contain peat moss. The Premier Horticulture Pro Mix Organic Seed Starting Mix works well for starting annual and perennial flower seeds, as well as vegetables and herbs. It can also be used to start stem or root cuttings of succulents or other plants. The mix is enriched with plant food that is gradually released over nine months so it can benefit established flowers too. This mix includes Mycorrhizae, beneficial microbes to help stimulate plant growth and develop healthy roots. This will help avoid transplant shock when you move your plants to your outdoor garden. The mix also includes Canadian sphagnum peat moss and coco coir fibers to help manage moisture levels and help avoid root rot. Perlite and limestone are also part of the mix. This seed starting mix is OMRI-listed for organic gardening and includes an organic fertilizer that will feed plants for up to 3 months. While this product does include peat moss, the peat moss comes from bogs that are certified through the Veriflora Program, which helps ensure the bogs are managed using sustainable and environmentally-friendly practices. This mix comes with a higher price than a number of other seed-starting products, but the high quality of the mix is worth the extra cost. Price at time of publish: $29 Product Details: Bag Capacity: 8 quarts | Organic: Yes | Suggested Use: All seed types The Bottom Line After researching a variety of seed starting mixes, we chose Espoma Organic Seed Starter as our top choice, because it’s organic, includes beneficial microbes, and comes from a trusted brand. If you would rather use a soil starting mix that is composed of coconut coir rather than sphagnum peat moss, we recommend the Burpee Organic Coconut Coir Seed Starting Mix. Sold as dehydrated bricks, it’s easy to expand into loose soil simply by adding water. What to Know About Soil for Starting Seeds Before Shopping Bag Capacity When you’re shopping for seed starting mixes, be sure to pay attention to how much of the mix you’re actually buying. Bag capacity varies widely between products (and some products are available in multiple sizes), but you’ll often find them sold in 4-, 6-, 8-, and 12-quart sizes. Before starting seeds indoors, take time to figure out how much seed starting mix you will need. Some products are sold as dehydrated bricks or pellets which then expand into loose soil when you add water. Be sure to read carefully to find out how much soil you will end up with when you purchase one of these dehydrated products. Organic If you are interested in avoiding chemicals and using organic gardening practices, be sure to look on the product label to find out if it is designated as safe for organic gardening. Sometimes it can be hard to know for sure, so it’s best to look for a seal on the package that says the product has been OMRI-listed. This means the product has been designated as safe for organic use by the Organic Materials Review Institute, an international nonprofit organization. Suggest Use Most seed starting mixes can be used to germinate a variety of seeds, such as vegetables, herbs, and annual and perennial flowers; use purchased seed packets or learn to save seeds from your garden to start next year. Some plants, such as succulents, require better drainage, while other plants require better moisture retention. Be sure to research if your seeds require any special conditions before purchasing a seed starting mix. Your Questions, Answered What is seed starting soil? The best soil for starting seeds is a specially formulated potting mix that creates the ideal conditions for seeds to germinate. “The ideal mixes are lightweight and fluffy so that the weight of the mix does not compact around the tender new shoots and roots,” says Rebecca Sears, chief marketing officer & resident green thumb at Ferry-Morse. Ironically, these mixes usually don’t contain any actual soil. “Seed starting soil may include several items including moisture-retentive organic matter like peat moss, coco coir, fine compost, composted tree bark, or leaf mold and porous material to assist with good drainage, such as perlite, vermiculite, or sand,” Clausen says. You can use your seed starting mix in a seed-starting station or simply place pots or trays with seed starting mix on a windowsill. Purchase seed starting trays or make your own seed starter pots for your seed starting endeavors. What is the difference between potting soil and seed starting mix? Unlike seed starting mix, potting soil often does include some traditional garden soil. It also differs in texture. “The main difference between seed starting mix and potting soil is the size and texture of the medium,” Sears says. “Seed starting mix is a better starting point for seeds because it is finer and lighter which then makes it easier for tiny seedling roots to grow, while potting soil tends to be coarser and will generally contain compost.” Can you start seeds in regular potting soil? You can start seeds in regular potting soil, but it’s not really recommended. The best soil for starting seeds is a mix that is specifically intended for that purpose. “The likelihood of germination success is higher with a seed starting mix due to the weight, texture, and lack of fertilizer in seed starting mixes,” Sears says. She adds that fertilizers are added to potting soil to help with plant growth, but there is a risk that they may burn young seedlings if they are too strong. It’s best to use seed starting mix in special seed starting trays (or skip the tray and use soil blocking instead). Who We Are Renee Freemon Mulvihill is a freelance writer who specializes in home and garden topics. To research this article, she reviewed seed starting mixes online, comparing ingredients and reviews, and checked in with Rebecca Sears, chief marketing officer & resident green thumb at Ferry-Morse and Ruth Rogers Clausen, a horticulturalist, speaker, and author of several books, including 50 Beautiful Deer Resistant Plants, to get their tips on starting seeds and selecting a seed starting mix. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit