If you’re keen on growing plants on a small container then you must use good quality potting mixes. It contains sphagnum moss, perlite, vermiculite, bark, compost and a few more ingredients, and takes an active part in the growth of a plant.
But, does potting mix go bad?
Potting mix can go bad, but just how bad depends on multiple factors. Furthermore, depending on what caused it to go bad, it may have still allowed it to be revived with some simple tinkering.
For traditional growing methods, potting mix is essentially the life force of a plant.
Doing everything possible to keep it in a usable condition is vital. Not only for the plant but to keep within the desired budget also.
In this article, we’ll go through the most common reasons that cause soil to go bad, how to tell if it’s no good, and some storage tips. Let’s dive in, shall we?
Table of Contents
Does Potting Mix Go Bad? (My Take)
Ensuring that the potting mix is in good condition will essentially decide the long-term fate of a plant. The main reasons a potting mix can go bad are sitting around for too long or not being stored properly or even a mix of both.
In general, the shelf life of a bag of potting mix is around 6-12 months, depending on how it is stored. They will usually have an expiration date and should be used before that date expires.
Poor storage can damage potting mix in several ways. For example, if a bag is exposed to moisture, it can clump and develop mold and/or fungi, deeming it unusable.
Equally, if a bag is slightly open for whatever reason, exposure to air can dry it out and make it either harder to work with or not usable.
If a bag becomes frozen, the contents can become moist or clump and present usage issues. High humidity and poor ventilation can also contribute to soil degradation.
Regardless of what causes the damage, if the potting mix is used in this state, it could be an open invitation to pests and other diseases. Doing everything possible to stop your potting mix from going bad should be top priority.
How To Tell If Potting Soil is Bad?
It’s easy to have bags of potting mix lying around without thinking about their condition. Sometimes, you buy a few too many and save the rest for later. You throw them in the corner of your shed and tinker in the garden for the next few months.
Suddenly, you’re running dry and remember you had those few extra bags. So you go to get them out, but it’s unclear whether they are still in okay condition.
If you’re unsure how to tell, here are some easy signs to look out for. You will need to use at least 3 of your senses to help determine the condition.
Smell
As you walk into your storage area, you can instantly smell the waft of rotting eggs. It can be extremely potent or subtle, depending on how long it has been sitting.
The bad smells are usually due to high humidity or poor ventilation. These conditions cause the peat moss in the potting mix to decompose and become degraded. The smell is the rotting moss.
Look
If the bag has been exposed to moisture, you may notice a mold build-up on the soil surface or inside the bag. The mold can either be green, yellow, or even pale white.
Additionally, you could find insects such as springtails, fungus gnats, or moss bugs crawling around on both the potting mix and bag. They feed on the decomposing moss and can cause some real headaches if not discovered and removed as soon as possible.
Feel
It’s always a good idea to check the condition of your potting mix bags before use. Give them a good squeeze and ascertain whether the mix is clumping from moisture or rock hard from exposure to excess heat and dry air. Some mixes can be saved by breaking them up, but others that are soggy are not worth keeping and should be discarded.
Reason for Potting Mix Going Bad
Potting mix can go bad by either not being used by its expiry date or poor storage. When manufactured, vital nutrients and minerals are added to the potting mix.
These essential micro doses of plant food simply become degraded over time and lose their potency. Therefore after their period of expiry, they have simply ‘gone bad.
Comparatively, if the potting mix is stored too close to a source of moisture, exposed to air or heat, or even frozen, it can become damaged. Depending on the degree of damage, it may still be usable, but the chances generally aren’t high.
2 Commonly Used Potting Mix That Doesn’t Expire
It doesn’t have to be all doom and gloom, though; some potting mix types don’t expire; the 2 most common are:
Vermiculite
Vermiculite is fast becoming a hit with the more seasoned growers, and for a good reason. It’s super effective when it comes to water and nutrient retention, meaning it releases them slowly, so it supports long term growth.
It also helps to aerate the soil, which promotes oxygenation around the roots. This allows the roots the space to move around to collect food and water and establish overall stability.
Additionally, it’s non-toxic, sterile, and lightweight. Vermiculite doesn’t expire because it’s a mineral; minerals won’t expire unless subject to conditions that aren’t useful to their life calculation.
For example, when stored close to weed killers or other garden chemicals. The only downsides with vermiculite are that it is often expensive and hard to find an abundance of it to continue using.
Perlite
Perlite is also pretty popular for the simple fact that it can be considered timeless. It’s inorganic matter and won’t break down or compose, meaning it won’t expire.
In contrast to vermiculite and its water retention characteristics, perlite offers exceptional drainage.
It can even help improve the texture of heavier growing mediums such as clay. If anything, it prevents soil from compacting. It also assists cuttings with their rooting process via its unique aeration capabilities.
Some drawbacks of using perlite are unwanted fast drainage, blowing away in the wind, or floating in pools of water due to its lightweight and health issues regarding respiratory and irritation.
2 Commonly Used Potting Mixes That Expire
Potting mixes that expire are generally organic or contain organic matter. The 2 most common potting mixes that may cause problems with longevity are:
Pine Bark
Pine bark is an extremely handy plant base insulator, especially in the colder months. Additionally, it assists with water retention by creating a layer on top of your soil mix, locking in moisture there.
It can create even better results when purchased premixed into a potting mix bag. The biggest issue with pine bark is that because it’s organic, excessive long term moisture will make it decompose.
As a result, it will become unusable via rotting and mold. Furthermore, the mold can invite certain insects, creating even more issues if not discovered sooner rather than later.
On the other hand, if the bark is kept dry, it can last indefinitely. Although, that would defeat the purpose as its usage requires it to become wet.
Peat Moss
Peat moss works similarly to pine bark. Except it also loosens soil which assists with aeration as well as drainage. Additionally, it helps to neutralize soils that may be too acidic.
It will reduce the pH and then level it out once it reaches its balance level. The difference between pine bark and peat moss is much finer and denser, meaning it will decompose much faster. Once manufactured, peat moss can generally last upto 2 years if stored correctly.
Peat moss can become damaged by being exposed to moisture, excessive heat, and extreme colds. High humidity and poor ventilation can also be troublesome for stored bags of peat moss.
Does succulent potting mix go bad?
A good quality potting mix created exclusively for succulents requires some specific ingredients. These mixes are generally made with a 3 part ratio in mind. 2 of the parts are usually more coarse and help with drainage. Coarse ingredients include turface, poultry grit, coarse sand, volcanic rock, perlite, and fine gravel.
The 3rd part should include organic matter such as compost, coconut coir, or pine bark. These potting mixes are generally made for succulents such as cacti and are classified as specialty soils. On the one hand, coarse ingredients are usually inorganic and can last for extended periods.
In contrast, the added organic ingredients can and will decompose. It all comes down to the condition of the bag and its storage. An unopened bag of succulent potting mix can last upto 5 years if stored correctly. Conversely, an opened bag can still last a year if sealed and stored away from anything that can leach in and degrade it.
An unsealed bag may lose usability after as little as 3-4 months. Again, storage is key first and foremost, followed by the age of the product.
How to store potting soil?
Storing unopened potting mix is as simple as keeping it off the ground where water or other harmful liquids can leach in. You could stack them on a pellet or some shelves. Additionally, store it in a well-ventilated room or area where the humidity levels aren’t above the average household of 40-50%.
If you have a bag or more of potting mix that you want to use later but don’t want it to become spoiled in the meantime, then you can follow these steps to help prep and store them:
- Purchase some clean, airtight storage containers. Bags will work, but you always risk them breaking due to their potential weight and maneuverability.
- Disinfect them with a 1:9 solution (1 part bleach:9 parts water). Add the solution to the containers and give them a good scrub
- Allow the solution to soak for at least 30 mins. This will help kill any pathogens.
- Discard most of the solution carefully. Leave just enough to give a final washdown, including the lid and other parts that may be attached to the inside.
- Flush the remaining solution using a hose and ensure the container(s) are completely clean.
- Allow the container(s) to dry out completely before adding the soil.
- Add the soil and seal the containers. That’s it!
- Use as required.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How long does potting soil last once open?
Different types of potting soil can last longer than others. An opened bag of standard potting mix may last upto 6 months depending on what it is exposed to, e.g., water, air, heat, and humidity.
Conversely, a mix created for succulents that have been opened may last up to 2 years if stored correctly. The latter has added minerals that are much more difficult to break down. This can extend the shelf life of an opened bag.
What to do with old potting soil?
Depending on its condition, old potting soil can be either revived or redistributed differently. Some redistribution ideas can include spreading thin over a lawn area, adding to the base of raised beds or compost bins, and even around flowers or other plants as a filler.
Is the potting mix still good after a year?
The potting mix usually has a use-by date, and these dates are added based on the type of materials included in the mix. Some materials become degraded over time.
Generally, traditional potting mixes, which include organic matter, can last around 2 years if kept unopened and stored correctly. Exposure to heat, cold, air, and moisture can spoil them prematurely.
Does Miracle Gro potting soil expire?
Miracle Grow usually comes with a 5 year use date or shelf life. This potting mix contains ingredients such as sphagnum moss, ammonium nitrate, perlite, and compost which break down over time and last even shorter if subject to certain degrading conditions.
Does Miracle Gro potting soil expire?
Potting soil can grow mold, as its main ingredients include organic matter. When organic matter is exposed to excess moisture, mold can form. For example, if a potting mix that a plant is growing in becomes soggy, the environment becomes a breeding ground for mold spores. Furthermore, roots, stems, and leaves that are decaying become rotten and have the possibility of inviting both mold and unwanted pests such as insects.
Can potting soil get moldy in the bag?
Potting mix stored in a bag can easily become moldy if exposed to moisture. Moisture can leach in from underneath if the bag is sitting in a damp spot. Furthermore, poor ventilation and high humidity can cause moisture to find its way inside a soil bag.
Poor ventilation can often make the air damp and moist. High humidity can make a bag such as this sweat, another form of moisture.
How do you keep the potting soil from molding?
The easiest way to prevent molding potting soil is via proper storage methods. Aim to keep open bags from being exposed to air, heat, or moisture. Purchase some air-tight containers and disinfect them before adding the soil to them.
Otherwise, sealed bags should be kept in the dark, cool, well ventilated area up off the ground so no liquids can leach into them. If the soil is used, avoid over-watering so it doesn’t go soggy and form mold.
Conclusion
A clean, undamaged potting mix is one of the most important ingredients to producing a plant without fail. It is essentially the life force that contains food, water, and room for the roots to stabilize the plant.
This is why it’s vital to ensure it doesn’t go bad. We hope this article has been helpful, and we look forward to creating many more to assist with other gardening issues. Thanks for tuning in, and happy growing!
