Customers say
Customers find the soil effective for growing plants and seedlings. They appreciate its lightweight nature. However, some customers have reported mold issues with the soil. Opinions vary regarding expansion, value for money, and moisture retention.
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Miracle-Gro Expand ‘n Gro Concentrated Planting Mix expands up to 3X when combined with water
This planting soil substitute feeds plants for up to 6 months
When used with potted plants, this potting medium’s all natural fibers hold up to 50% more water than traditional potting mix and release it as plants needs it
Apply this soil amendment to in-ground gardens to make your soil up to 40% lighter and create up to 90% more air space for plant roots to thrive
One .33 cu. ft. bag of Miracle-Gro Expand ‘n Gro Concentrated Planting Mix fills two 12-inch containers or covers 4 sq. ft. of in-ground area
Our Top Reviews
Reviewer: dksquat
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Not labeled accurately – Beware
Review: First thing I read regarding this product’s qualities: Great substitute for garden soil or potting mix. After purchasing 5 bags of this product and planting my 3 ea./20″ containers I’ve learned that this is a soil additive. Everything is already planted and in place. Now all I can do is cross my fingers and hope my plants thrive. How misleading to advertise as a soil substitute! Hoping to ensure healthy plants I have combined a topping of chopped hay, Organic Worm Castings – All Natural Soil Amendment, Soil Builder, and Fertilizer, 3 Pound Bag, black dirt and no float Cyprus mulch. Also mixed hay mulch in the planting mix as well. Added Jobe’s 06328 Bone Meal Fertilizer Spikes, 50, Natural and utilized Safer Brand 5450-6 Garden Fungicide Ready to Use 32 Ounces as a safety upgrade to stop any mulch mildew, etc. Now what to do next year as these are perennials and I do not have available free dirt of my own as I live in an apartment. What I should have done in the first place is purchase black dirt and combined that with this product. Ugh, always one step forward and 50 steps back. Hoping that my patio garden has not become my money pit 🙁 I have begun my begonia bulbs indoors with the assistance of the Grow Light for Indoor Plant Growing LED Grow Light 9 Dimmable Settings, Horizontal Plant Growth Lamp for Indoor Plants with Red/Blue Spectrum, Adjustable Gooseneck, 3/9/12H Timer (Red). Included the Amazon product headings where applicable. Planted 04/29 and the growth rate varied while the very last one of 5 appeared on 5/30/2021. Next step is hang outdoors once the weather stabilizes with constant warmer nights, etc and wait for the blooms of my Non-Stop Begonia Red in my 14″ Resin Woven Hanging Basket, Espresso Brown, Hangings Basket. My patio holds my hydrangea, dianthus, and these red begonias. Will update as the summer continues.
Reviewer: Lew2331
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: This is for real!
Review: I was a little skeptical at first look. Very lite, didn’t seem like there was near enough dirt for my flower box! Then I added the water and boom! I had extra dirt. Quality you expect from Miracle Grow, convenient, easy to store and easy to carry. My only suggestion is read the ratio of water vs dirt before using! I actually ended up with to much soil.
Reviewer: Always
Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Great for Small Apartments
Review: I have a few small house plants that needed to be replanted, but I don’t have the space for huge bags of soil. This works perfectly, as with water it expands to a larger size while keep the soil bag small enough to fit in my closet. My plants liked it and it was fresh clean soil. No bugs or gross stuff.
Reviewer: !Gano
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: This is a fabulous product
Review: This stuff is incredible. A few weeks ago, I planted two tomato plants in large pots- side by side on my patio. One using regular MIRACLE GRO soil and one using MIRACLE GRO EXPAND ‘N GRO. Both plants are doing well- however the one in the EXPAND ‘N GRO is almost double the size. I was so impressed I just ordered (and received) another bag of the soil. It holds moisture well and is a wonder for the plants planted in it!!!
Reviewer: Denver gal
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Convenient size bags, lightweight to carry
Review: After I see the results in a couple months, I’ll review again. My expectation is that the value is there for a raised garden as the bags are manageable sizes so this retired lady can carry them herself, mix and wet them and that both the moisture retention and drainage will be adequate. I plan to drain the raised garden with 4” pea gravel base and lay down a metal mesh over that to deter the moles.As for value I gave it 4 stars because of past performance with this brand, but I was usinganother of their products. I’ll let you know if this product works as planned. Thevdesign and the product would deserve 5 stars if no moles, adequate moisture retention, adequate drainage, vigorous plant growth.Colorado zone 5-4a, 7500’ altitude, dry & windy pine forestOrdered 4 bags
Reviewer: Kayla
Rating: 3.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Use with caution
Review: The **Miracle-Gro Expand ‘n Gro Concentrated Planting Mix** is an innovative product designed to expand when water is added, providing more planting volume from a smaller bag. While it has some benefits, such as convenience and the ability to expand up to three times its size, there are also a few **negative aspects** that might be worth considering before purchasing. Here’s a breakdown of the drawbacks:### **Challenges and Negatives**#### **1. Uneven Expansion**One of the most common issues with the **Expand ‘n Gro** mix is its **uneven expansion**. While the product claims to expand up to 3 times its size, some users have reported that the expansion isn’t consistent throughout the mix. In some cases, certain portions of the mix will expand well, while other areas remain more compacted, leading to **uneven coverage** and potential gaps in your containers or garden bed.#### **2. Needs a Lot of Water**While the idea of adding water to expand the mix is convenient, the **amount of water needed** can be quite substantial. If you’re dealing with a larger garden or many containers, the amount of water required to fully expand the product can be excessive. In areas where water is scarce or expensive, this could become a **costly and inconvenient** factor.#### **3. Initial Texture and Dryness**Some users have found that the product can be **very dry** and almost hydrophobic when first unpacked, making it challenging to fully wet and activate. This dryness can result in uneven watering, and you may need to mix or agitate the soil manually to ensure that all of it gets hydrated properly. The initial texture is also quite **coarse**, which may not be suitable for more delicate plants or seeds that require a finer growing medium.#### **4. Requires Frequent Rehydration**Once the product is fully expanded, you’ll need to **keep it hydrated** to maintain its volume and effectiveness. If the mix dries out, it tends to **shrink and harden**, which can negatively impact root growth and moisture retention for your plants. This frequent need for rehydration can be a hassle, particularly in hot, dry climates where the soil mix might dry out more quickly than traditional potting mixes.#### **5. Limited Nutrient Content**While **Miracle-Gro** is known for including nutrients in its products, the **Expand ‘n Gro mix** has a **limited supply of nutrients** compared to some of their other potting mixes. The concentrated mix is designed to improve soil structure and moisture retention, but it doesn’t have the same long-term nutrient content as some other planting mixes. This means you’ll likely need to **supplement with fertilizers** sooner rather than later, which could add to the overall cost and effort.#### **6. Not Ideal for All Plants**Due to its coarse texture and potential issues with drying out, the **Expand ‘n Gro** mix may not be suitable for all types of plants. For example, plants that prefer a finer, consistently moist soil may struggle to thrive in this mix unless you’re diligent about watering and maintaining the soil’s moisture levels. It may also not be ideal for seedlings or young plants that require a more delicate environment.#### **7. Cost**While the concept of getting more soil volume through expansion is appealing, the **price per bag** can seem high compared to traditional potting mixes that don’t require expansion. When you factor in the need for frequent watering and potential supplements for nutrients, the overall **cost-effectiveness** of this product becomes a bit questionable, especially for larger gardening projects.### **Final Thoughts**While the **Miracle-Gro Expand ‘n Gro Concentrated Planting Mix** offers convenience and space-saving benefits, it does come with its share of challenges. The **uneven expansion**, **dry texture**, and **need for constant hydration** can make it more labor-intensive than initially expected. Additionally, the limited nutrient content and higher cost compared to traditional planting mixes may make it less appealing for gardeners who want a low-maintenance, all-in-one solution.For those willing to invest the time in maintaining proper moisture levels and supplementing nutrients, it can be a helpful product, but for others, a more conventional potting mix might be a better option.
Price effective as of Mar 14, 2025 17:17:39 UTC
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