Can you reuse potting soil from year to year? Learn how to select a quality potting mix and how to clean planters for a fresh start each growing season.
Can You Reuse Potting Soil in Planters?
Updated on May 28, 2025
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Should Potting Soil Be Reused?
“Can potting soil be reused, or does it need to be thrown away after a plant is removed?” asks Bob Nelson of Buffalo, New York.
Horticultural expert Melinda Myers says, “Consider using fresh potting soil in your annual planters each year. This helps avoid future pest problems caused by insect or disease populations that may be building in the soil. Try composting the soil as well as the plant. Soil contains wonderful microorganisms that help with decomposition. It’s a great way to recycle potting mix back into the landscape.
Don’t use soil directly from the garden. As tempting as it is to dig up some backyard dirt and throw it into a container, potted plants need drainage. Use a high-quality potting mix or potting soil when planting containers. The best blends are designed to stay slightly moist while allowing excess water to drain. This keeps the mix light and airy so plants receive more oxygen. Look for potting mixes that have vermiculite, peat moss, compost and perlite.”
Can You Amend Used Potting Soil?
“I do container gardening and have approximately 20 containers of both veggies and flowers. Can I reuse the soil already in the containers and amend it to make it productive again?” asks reader Linda Zimmerman of Minnetonka, Minnesota.
Melinda says, “Always discard any potting mix and disinfect containers if plants suffered from diseases or other problems. Otherwise, you can remove the dead plants, roots and all, and that usually removes half of the potting soil. I use an organic potting mix and add the old mix to my compost pile. Mix fresh potting mix and fertilizer as needed with the old potting mix you saved before making your next planting.
If your container doesn’t have drainage holes on the bottom, drill a few holes yourself.”
Bugs in Potting Soil
“When I got out my pots from last fall, tons of little bugs with wings covered the old soil. Can I reuse the potting soil?” asks reader Suzanne Foote of Cayuga, New York.
Melinda says, “In general it’s best not to save and reuse potting soil when the mix or plants are infested with insects or infected with disease. So discard that soil and clean the pots before you use them again.
If you don’t want to discard potting soil each year for container plants, there is a valid and affordable alternative. Simply work in a little compost from year to year to improve the soil structure and provide added nutrients. But if you’re growing a rare or cherished plant you’d hate to lose to disease, it’s worth the investment to change the potting soil annually.”
Follow these 5 steps for preparing a garden for spring.
How to Clean Garden Planters
To clean your planters, dip each pot in a solution of 1 part bleach to 9 parts water. Then rinse the pots in clear water and they’ll be ready for fresh soil and new plants!
