Soil & Substrates
Find houseplant potting mixes, substrate ingredients and growing media for indoor plants, terrariums, propagation and semi-hydro setups. Compare ready mixes, single components and substrate sets by drainage, moisture retention, particle size and root support so the mix matches the plant, pot and drying speed.

About Our Filters
Filters are here to help you get to the right plants faster, without guessing. We keep our filter values consistent across the shop by cross-checking multiple references and sanity-checking them against real-world indoor growing and handling.
Use them as guidance, not guarantees. Two homes can have the same “light level” on paper and still be very different. For the details that matter most, open the product page and read the full description.
How filtering works
- Filters stack: Every selection narrows the results.
- Multiple picks in one filter are usually either/or: Selecting two genera shows plants from either genus.
- Different filter groups work together: For example, Light level + Non-toxic narrows to plants that match both.
- Undo anytime: Click a selected option again (or use the clear/reset option in the filter panel).
Quick start: pick Light level first, then refine by Plant Type and size.
Shop & availability
- Favourite Collections: Curated groups like Bestsellers, Baby Plants, Rare Plants, Easy-Care Plants, Variegated Plants, Classic Houseplants, XL Houseplants, and Plant Sets. These are browsing shortcuts, not strict care categories.
- Availability (In stock only): Hides sold-out items so you only see what can ship right now.
- Price: Narrows by the current listed price range. If a product has multiple sizes/variants, prices can span a wider range.
Pet friendly & safety
- Non-toxic: Plants we classify as not known for relevant chemical toxicity for common pets. Still: chewing can cause irritation or stomach upset even with non-toxic plants.
- Non-toxic & Pet Friendly: A stricter shortlist for curious noses and paws. This isn’t only about chemical toxicity, it also helps you avoid many plants with physical hazards like spines, sharp tips, hooked thorns, stiff bristles, or scratchy textures that can cause discomfort or minor injuries. It’s still not a green light for chewing.
Care-related filters
- Light level: From Low indirect to Full sun/direct. “Indirect” means bright light without sun hitting leaves. “Some direct” means a limited amount of gentle sun. “Full sun/direct” means sustained direct sun.
- Water Needs: Low / Medium / High describes how quickly substrate is typically allowed to dry before watering again in normal indoor conditions.
- Humidity Level: Normal (40–50%), Moist (50–60%), Humid (60–80%+). This is about your usual range and consistency, not short-lived spikes.
Growth habit & training
- Growth Habit: How a plant naturally grows: Climbing, Hanging & trailing, Crawling & spreading, Upright, Self-heading, Clumping (offsets), or Rosette (compact). Use this for placement, training, and pot shape.
- Needs support? “None” holds shape without help. “Optional” means support improves structure/size but isn’t required. “Needed” means a stake, pole, or trellis noticeably improves performance or form.
- Growth Speed: Slow / Average / Fast under decent indoor conditions. Helpful for expectations, not a promise.
Size filters (delivered vs. long-term)
- Pot size (delivered): The nursery pot diameter your plant ships in (⌀).
- Plant height (delivered): The approximate height range of the plant you’ll receive. Natural variation is normal.
- Max. Height Indoors: Realistic long-term height potential indoors with time, care, and training where relevant.
- Max. Spread Indoors: How wide a plant can get long-term (clumping width, rosette width, or overall footprint).
Looks: shape, size, colour
- Leaf Shape & Size: Quick visual categories. “Small/Medium/Large” refers to typical mature leaf size, while shape labels describe the dominant outline.
- Foliage Colour: Dominant tones/patterns (e.g., Silver & grey, Pink & Red, Golden-yellow). Individual plants can vary, and new growth often looks different before it matures.
Botanical browsing
- Plant Type: Broad groups like Aroids, Hoyas, Cacti, Ferns, Succulents, Prayer plants, and more, good for browsing by “plant vibe” and general care style.
- Genus: Filters by botanical genus (e.g., Alocasia, Philodendron, Hoya). Great if you already know what you collect.
- Family: Filters by plant family (e.g., Araceae, Apocynaceae). Useful for deep browsing across related genera.
Want to see what we reference when standardising labels? Plant Care Resources is simply a curated list of the sources we use (POWO, Kew, and more).
Sort by:
Filters
Soil & substrates: quick buying checks
- Range: ready mixes, base soils, mineral media, mosses, single ingredients and Substrate Sets.
- Best match: plant group, pot size, root size, airflow and drying speed.
- Single ingredients: good for changing one behaviour, such as drainage, texture or moisture retention.
- Semi-hydro: inert media need a suitable nutrient routine because the substrate itself does not feed plants.
- Mix tuning: ratios are starting points; pot size, airflow, and watering style decide the final balance.
Soil & Substrates for controlled root zones
Growing media decides how water, air, structure and weight behave around roots. A compact mix can stay wet after watering; a very open mineral mix can dry quickly around fine roots. The right option depends on plant group, pot size, root volume, airflow and how fast the setup dries in real conditions.
Compare the format first
- Ready mixes: pre-blended options for common houseplants, specialist groups and faster potting jobs.
- Single ingredients: materials such as perlite, pine bark, coco coir, pumice, lava rock, vermiculite, sphagnum moss and activated carbon for targeted adjustments.
- Mineral and semi-hydro media: inert substrates for setups based on structure, flushing and nutrient solution management.
- Terrarium and propagation media: finer or layered materials for young roots, moss displays and planted glass.
- Substrate Sets: separate components grouped around a defined plant group or setup.
Read the pot, then adjust
A mix that suits one plant can behave differently in a tall plastic pot, a small terracotta pot or a humid cabinet. Slower drying usually points toward more structure, a smaller pot step or stronger airflow. Very fast drying can call for more moisture-holding material, especially with fine-rooted plants and young starts.
Before adding more ingredients
- Check drainage: excess water should leave the pot freely after watering.
- Check compaction: old collapsed substrate often needs refreshing, not only topping up.
- Check root size: small roots need close contact; large roots can handle chunkier structure.
- Check watering rhythm: the final mix should match how often you can realistically check the plant.
Frequently Asked Questions About Growing Media
What is the difference between potting mix and garden soil?
Potting mix is made for containers. It is designed to hold some moisture while still leaving air around the roots, whereas garden soil is usually too dense, heavy, and unpredictable for indoor pots.
Do different houseplants need different substrates?
Yes. A foliage plant, an epiphyte, a cactus, and a semi-hydro setup do not all want the same root environment. One mix can suit several plants, but one mix does not suit everything.
What do ingredients like perlite, vermiculite, and bark actually do?
They change how the mix behaves around the roots. Perlite helps keep a mix lighter and airier, vermiculite holds more moisture, and bark adds structure and extra air space in chunkier blends.
Can I reuse old potting mix?
Sometimes, but fresh mix is usually the safer option. Old substrate can compact, lose structure, hang on to salt build-up, or carry pests and root problems over from the last plant.
Why does substrate matter so much for indoor plants?
Because roots need both water and oxygen, and containers leave very little room for error. When the mix stays too wet, too dense, or too airless, root trouble usually starts before the leaves tell you much.
Experience you can count on
More than 20,000 customers, rated 4.6 out of 5 stars.
Quality first
Plants are hand-selected and checked before shipping.
Reliable shipping
Safe packaging and tracked shipping from DE and NL.
Small business
Support a small, independent, women-led family business.
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Our Customers
★★★★★
Die Pflanzen waren prima verpackt und ein heatpack war im Paket enthalten. Die Lieferzeit hat 2 bis 3 Tagen gedauert, was aus meiner Sicht wirklich gut ist. Alle drei Pflanzen haben die Lieferung gut überstanden. Ich habe mich auf Hoyas spezialisiert und habe schon die nächsten Pflanzen meiner Wunschliste auf der Website gefunden. Daher wird die nächste Bestellung nicht lange auf sich warten lassen.
Marion
★★★★★
The plants are carefully packaged and arrive in great conditions (I’m based in Spain) and they’re always there to help in any way they can with your purchase.I have and will always recommend Foliage Factory to every friend I can. I’m not only satisfied with their plants and prices, but their customer service is exceptional.
José
★★★★☆
Very healthy and well packed plant. Unfortunately there was one plant that ordered couldn’t be delivered as it was out of stock hence 1 star less.
Sam
★★★★☆
Die Sendung kam leider in keinem guten Zustand bei mir an, kann passieren. Habe mich darauf hin sofort an Foliage Factory gewandt und habe selten einen so guten, schnellen, freundlichen und kulanten Kundendienst erlebt.
Frauke
★★★★★
Everything arrived in good condition and very well packed - it wasn't easy with a fragile plant and a heavy bag of substrate. I recommend it!
Lia
★★★★★
Bester online-Pflanzenhandel den ich kenne (habe davor 4 andere ausprobiert). Eine teure Pflanze wurde beim Transport beschädigt und mir ersetzt. Der Kontakt dabei war auch sehr nett (danke Jan) und hat mir gut geholfen. Die anderen Pflanzen sind in einem sehr guten Zustand, keine Schädlinge, super Bewurzelung. Nur zu empfehlen! :)
C L
★★★★★
Super Service, Gute Auswahl, Preise sind fair. Eine Pflanze kam kaputt an, hab sofort Ersatz bekommen. Danke an den unkomplizierten (und blitzschnellen) Kundenservice!!
Sarah
★★★★★
Envoie très rapide (2 jours), plantes parfaitement emballées et super offres ! Je suis une habituelle j'ai passé 6 ou 7 commandes et je n'en peut être plus satisfaite du service client et de la qualité et variété des plantes offertes
Iris
★★★★★
The plants have arrived in perfect condition, the roots and the foliage so so healthy! I had problem with 1 plant out of 16 and they have responded to my email almost instantly and the issue was resolved straight away. I'm really impressed and satisfied, definitely getting more plants from them again!
Patricija
★★★★★
I received perfectly heathy and absolutely beautiful plants, even bigger than expected. The delivery within Europe was really fast. I think Foliage Factory has one of the best plant web shops in the internet. It‘s just great to get so much informations about the plants. I will definitely order again :)
Walkerova
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