<P> Potting soil, also known as potting mix or potting compost, is a medium in which to grow plants, herbs and vegetables in a pot or other durable container . The first recorded use of the term is from an 1861 issue of the American Agriculturist . </P> <P> Some common ingredients used in potting soil are peat, composted bark, sand, perlite and recycled mushroom compost, although many others are used and the proportions vary hugely . Most commercially available brands have their pH fine - tuned with ground limestone; some contain small amounts of fertilizer and slow - release nutrients . Despite its name, little or no soil is used in potting soil because it is considered too heavy for growing houseplants . </P> <P> Some plants require potting soil that is specific for their environment . For example, an African violet would grow better in potting soil containing extra peat moss, while a cactus requires sharp (i.e. plenty of) drainage, most commonly perlite or sand . But potting soil is not ideal for all contained gardening . Insectivorous plants, such as the Venus flytrap and the pitcher plant, prefer nutrient - poor soils common to bogs and fens, while water - based plants thrive in a heavier topsoil mix . </P>

Whats the difference between potting mix and potting soil