Howdy!
I'm new to the forum, and gardening in general. My question is, do any experienced gardeners have suggestions for potting soil for container plants?

I have a beautiful Crossandra plant and a medium daylily that are currently doing alright. I have only had them for about a year and so far they are both still alive and look to be in fairly good health (no bugs or disease). No returning flowers yet but it's still early in the year. I plan to get another medium-to-large plant soon (I can't keep small ones alive, sadly). I have Miracle-Gro Organic soil in with my current two, but I want to know if there are any other brands that come highly recommended (to pot my new plant in)? I have read good things about FoxFarm & Black Gold soils, but was wondering if they are really as good as they say? Are there also any "extras" I should add (i.e.: worm casings)? There's so much information on the internet it is a bit overwhelming!

I apologize for the long post. I have never had much luck with plants in the past, and I really want to keep these alive!

@sunstar93
Welcome
I am in the same zone as you, but I can't grow anything in pots, I overwater or underwater. My wife has Kalanchoe dying in pots and I need to repot them. I bought cacti potting soil, but they don't seem to care much for that. So I can't give much advice on potting soil for potted plants. Welcome to the site, there are plenty of people here who will be able to help you.

I like Happy Frog for potting soil. I can amend it with perlite if better drainage is required. Potted vegetable plants last year liked it as well.

I mix 2/3rds Miracle-Gro Organic soil with 1/3 Black Cow composted manure. to which I add a little "Play" sand. Daylilies LOVE water so I get saucers under all but the largest pots. When I water, I top-water until the water flows out from the bottom holes into the saucer. I do not water again until the water in the saucer is gone. Before filling the pots---get some landscape fabric and cut a piece, or pieces to cover, from the inside, the drainage holes on the bottom of the pots. That will prevent your soil from leaching out into the saucer, and delay the time when you will have to repot. Have FUN!

Thank you for the suggestions! I found a place near my house that sells Happy Frog so I'm thinking I will try that one, once I get a bit more money. I have some perlite already so I'll try adding some in with it.

@Sscape: I didn't realize how much daylilies like water (probably should have done more research on them, but it was an impulse buy LOL). I'll get a saucer to put under it and try your method. It's getting hotter here in Texas so I hope it'll help to keep them from drying out. And thanks for the fabric tip! I'll try that out!

sunstar - I think you'll like the Happy Frog. I found it easier to rewet if the pots got too dry.

I have some old window screening that i put in bottoms of pots to keep soil in pots.
😎😎😎

@Shadegardener: I found a place nearby that sells Happy Frog (I thought it was going to be more expensive so it was a nice surprise it was only $10!). Do you amend it with anything else aside from perlite? Sorry for so many questions, I've just gotten attached to my plants and I want to make sure I am doing everything right

sun- Happy Frog does have some nutrients but you may want to mix in a little fertilizer appropriate for your plants when you pot them up. Personally, I use granular fertilizers which perform better when mixed into the soil. Sometimes I'll give the plants a little boost with seaweed or fish solutions. The seaweed would be good for transplanting. Glad you were able to save some money!

@Shadegardener:
I got some "Jobe's" brand granular fertilizer to add to the soil when I potted up my new plants today. I accidentally left the Happy Frog in the trunk of my car for 2 days and I was afraid the heat might have killed off the mycorrhizal fungi that's in it, so I settled on the Jobe's since it has that + beneficial bacteria, just to be on the safe side (hopefully it's not just a marketing gimmick & it actually works). I've read about the fungi doing wonderful things for plants so I really wanted to make sure to have some in my soil somehow.
I just wanted to say thank you for all of your help (and to everyone else that has responded to my post)! I really appreciate it!!

Hope your plants are happy. I don't garden in TX but be careful about letting water sit in any saucer under your pots. Constantly wet soil can cause some plants to be unhappy.

I have had amazing result with Fox Farm potting soil.