Back to the Roots 6qt Organic Potting Mix All Purpose: OMRI Certified, for Patio & Garden
$6.99 when purchased online
Target Online store #3991
About this item
Highlights
- Organic and peat-free potting mix for a home garden
- Potting soil for indoor plants and outdoor plants
- Contains nutrient-rich fertilizer and beneficial Mycorrhizae
- Includes pH-balancing dolomitic limestone
- Great for herbs, veggies, fruits, and flowers
- Perfect for practicing gardening at home
- #GrowOneGiveOne - Share a pic, and we'll donate a kit to a classroom of your choice!
- Guaranteed to Grow Promise
Description
Back to the Roots Organic All-Purpose Potting Mix is a great soil for herbs, veggies, fruits, and flowers in pots, in the ground, or in a raised bed or container! This soil blend contains natural, organic, and nutritious fertilizer as well as moisture-retaining coconut coir and beneficial mycorrhizae for enhanced root growth. Our All-Purpose Potting Mix is peat-free, meaning that instead of imported peat, the base of our soils is made from upcycled plant matter and wood fines. The Back to the Roots Organic All-Purpose Potting Mix Specialty Blend is a great addition to your at-home gardening supplies!
Weight: 3.5 Pounds
Used For: Flowers, House Plants
Capacity (Volume): 6 Quart
Features: Organic, Peat-Free
Sustainability Claims: Renewable Resource, Contains Recycled Content, Post-Consumer Recycled Material
Industry or Government Certifications: OMRI Certified
Maximum Coverage Area: .41 Square Feet
TCIN: 82834900
UPC: 810667034092
Item Number (DPCI): 084-16-8973
Origin: Made in the USA
Shipping details
Estimated ship dimensions: 5.07 inches length x 11.48 inches width x 13.54 inches height
Estimated ship weight: 6.87 pounds
Return details
This item can be returned to any Target store or Target.com.
This item must be returned within 90 days of the date it was purchased in store, shipped, delivered by a Shipt shopper, or made ready for pickup.
See the return policy for complete information.
Q: Does it cause gnats?
submitted by Ana - 4 months ago
A: Yes! The bag was filled with gnats and not my house is infested with fungus gnats. It’s been two weeks of trying to get rid of them.
submitted bySg - 1 month agoA: Hi Ana! Organic potting mixes can sometimes attract or harbor fungus gnats, especially if they stay too moist for too long. Fungus gnats are drawn to damp, organic-rich environments where they can lay their eggs. It's not that the potting mix causes gnats directly — rather, it provides the kind of conditions (moisture + organic material) that gnats like if the mix is kept wet. To prevent gnats, it's important to let the top layer of the soil dry out between waterings, use good drainage, and consider adding a top dressing like sand or diatomaceous earth, which makes it harder for gnats to breed. Please feel free to reach out to contact@backtotheroots.com with questions or concerns. Our team is always happy to help!
submitted byBack to the Roots, Inc. - 4 months agoBrand expert
Q: How do I get rid of the fungus gnats that have taken over my house due to this potting soil? The bag was filled with gnats and when I opened it they swarmed out. I have been dealing with a gnat infestation for two weeks!
submitted by Sg - 1 month ago
A: Hi Sg! We’re truly sorry to hear about your experience and appreciate you bringing this to our attention. Fungus gnats can be a frustrating issue, and while they can sometimes occur with organic soils, they definitely shouldn't be swarming out of a freshly opened bag. To help us look into this, please email a clear photo of both the front and back of the potting mix bag to contact@backtotheroots.com so our production team can review it as part of our quality assurance process. We’d also be happy to share some tips for managing and eliminating fungus gnats in your space. It would be helpful to know if you noticed the gnats before using the soil or if they appeared after potting. Thank you again for reaching out — we’re here to help and want to make this right!
submitted byBack to the Roots, Inc. - 1 month agoBrand expert
Q: What exactly are "post-consumer recycled material" and what kind of "recycled content" are you referring to? Are these materials organic pre-processing?
submitted by - 3 months ago
A: The recycled materials come from things like used paper or cardboard that have been reused. They help reduce waste and are safe to use. The potting mix is still fully certified organic for your garden!
submitted byBack to the Roots, Inc. - 3 months agoBrand expert
Q: Is this safe for pets, to grow grass for cats and dogs?
submitted by R - 4 months ago
A: Hi R! Yes, our Organic All-Purpose Potting Mix is safe for growing wheatgrass for pets like cats and dogs. We do recommend supervising your pets around the planter—especially if they tend to dig or eat soil. For added peace of mind, consider using a planter with a cover or mesh that lets the grass grow through while keeping the soil protected. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to reach out to us at contact@backtotheroots.com—we're always happy to help!
submitted byBack to the Roots, Inc. - 4 months agoBrand expert
Q: Does this contain any peanut, tree nut, or wheat products?
submitted by ogirlh - 5 months ago
A: Hello! Our soils are made from processed forest products, coir, limestone, fertilizer, mycorrhizae, and moisture-balancing yucca. Depending on the soil bag, the organic fertilizers could have ingredients derived from milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, or soy. Please read through each soil bag's exact ingredients in case you have any allergies to any of these ingredients. If very severe, we'd recommend being careful using our soils & talking to a doctor first. Please feel free to send us an email to contact@backtotheroots.com with questions or concerns. We're here to help!
submitted byBack to the Roots, Inc. - 5 months agoBrand expert
Q: Does this contain pesticides?
submitted by Mic - 1 year ago
A: Hi Mic! We sell an organic, living soil that is not made with synthetic ingredients and has not been fumigated/sprayed with highly toxic chemicals or pesticides. Please reach out to contact@backtotheroots.com with further questions or concerns!
submitted byBack to the Roots, Inc. - 1 year agoBrand expert
Q: I can not read clearly or it does not say. I want to know how acidic is the soil . Is it between ph 5 and 6 ? Thanks for answering.
submitted by ilia - 1 year ago
A: Hi Ilia! Our All-Purpose Potting Mix is more alkaline. Please reach out to contact@backtotheroots.com with further questions or concerns.
submitted byBack to the Roots, Inc. - 1 year agoBrand expert
Q: how much soil do i need for 24"x8" planter
submitted by JBM - 1 year ago
A: Hi JBM! It'll depend on the shape and depth of the planter, but you can find more information here, https://www.gardeners.com/how-to/soil-calculator/7558.html.
submitted byBack to the Roots, Inc. - 1 year agoBrand expert
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Guests are saying
This organic potting mix is a favorite among guests for its versatility and effectiveness in promoting healthy plant growth. Many appreciate its rich texture, moisture retention, and nutrient-rich composition, making it suitable for both indoor and outdoor gardening. While some guests noted issues with pests and drainage, the overall consensus is that this mix supports vibrant plant life and is easy to work with, making it a great choice for gardening enthusiasts.
Summary created by AI from text of reviews reflecting recent feedback provided across different star ratings (includes incentivized reviews)
4.5 out of 5 stars with 5152 reviews
quality: 1.93 out of 5
value: 2 out of 5
18% would recommend
266 recommendations
Gnat city
1 out of 5 stars
Thumbs down graphic, would not recommend
yessy - 1 day ago
The reviews are true… I didn’t want to believe it but now that I see everyone complaining about gnats, it confirms my suspicion. The texture wasnt my favorite either and I feel like it doesn’t drain as well as I’d like.
Why is this product still on the shelves? Massive gnat issues!
1 out of 5 stars
Thumbs down graphic, would not recommend
Tzipora - 4 days ago, Verified purchaser
Like so many other reviewers, my plants and home are infested with fungus gnats. I was pretty sure it was the soil since they showed up after repotting a windowsill full of plants and seemed to be coming from the dirt (notably they don’t like a thriving succulent but my other plants are covered with them) and today when I went to use what I had left, my suspicions were proven. I’d sealed the remaining soil in a ziplock baggy and as seen in the photo- tons of dead gnats in the bag. Worse, live ones were flying all around inside too. Tossed that but having a hard time trying to kill off the ones in my home. Unlike others who found them upon opening their bag, I didn’t have that. Count yourself lucky if you did. I sure wouldn’t have used it had I known. Ugh.
Gnats and spiders
1 out of 5 stars
Thumbs down graphic, would not recommend
Dw - 4 days ago, Verified purchaser
Within an hour of setting the unopened bag down on my kitchen floor, gnats started flying around and baby spiders started crawling around!
Horrible stuff!!
1 out of 5 stars
Thumbs down graphic, would not recommend
epselos - 15 days ago, Verified purchaser
Full of sticks and awful texture. Then was terribly INFESTED with gnat eggs that hatched and infested my home. Nothing worked and I finally tossed the plant, soil, and everything. Such a waste.
1 reply from Back to the Roots, Inc. team - 14 days ago
Hello there! We’re so sorry to hear about your experience and truly understand how frustrating it must have been to deal with a gnat issue in your home. That’s never the experience we want our customers to have. Because our soil is organic and contains no synthetic chemicals, it can occasionally attract fungus gnats — especially in warm, moist environments. These insects are not harmful to people or pets, but they can be a nuisance. We always recommend allowing the top layer of soil to dry between waterings and using sticky traps or a layer of sand to help deter them. That said, it absolutely shouldn’t result in a full infestation, and we want to help make this right. It would be incredibly helpful if you could email photos of the soil along with clear photos of the front and back of the bag to contact@backtotheroots.com. This allows our quality team to trace the batch and troubleshoot more effectively. Thank you again for your feedback — and please don’t hesitate to reach out directly with any photos or questions. We’re here to help. – The Back to the Roots Team
GNATS/FLIES
1 out of 5 stars
Thumbs down graphic, would not recommend
dominicandlylarose - 20 days ago, Verified purchaser
I have been getting these nasty little flies in my house for weeks now and i couldn’t find the source. I happen to walk by this bag and those same flies were all over it! I tossed the entire bag and had to toss a plant i just re-soiled with it. I’ve had that plant for over 2 years and never had a problem like this. I only bought this bag because they were out of the one i usually use. I’m never purchasing this brand ever again.
1 reply from Back to the Roots, Inc. team - 19 days ago
Hello! We're so sorry to hear about your experience, and we truly understand how frustrating it can be to deal with gnats in your home — especially when you've cared for your plant for so long. We appreciate you sharing your feedback and would love the opportunity to help make things right. We also wanted to share that fungus gnats are a common issue many indoor gardeners face, especially in warm, moist environments. They’re often drawn to organic-rich soils and can sometimes appear when any soil (regardless of brand) is exposed to humidity or overwatering. While our soil is heat-treated and tested to meet quality standards, once opened, it can pick up gnats from the surrounding environment — especially if it's stored near plants or in high-humidity areas. To help us better understand what may have happened in your case, we’d be grateful if you could email us at contact@backtotheroots.com with: Photos of the front and back of the bag (if available) When you first noticed the gnats — before or after using the soil A bit about your plant care routine (e.g., watering frequency, indoor/outdoor placement, etc.) We’re committed to supporting your gardening journey and would love the chance to make this right.
Would not recommend
1 out of 5 stars
Thumbs down graphic, would not recommend
jumbledjellyfish - 25 days ago, Verified purchaser
Unfortunately infested with some sort of gnat/fruit fly. I’ve been defending my plants from pests all week and no end in sight :(
1 reply from Back to the Roots, Inc. team - 22 days ago
Hello there! We’re so sorry to hear about the gnat issue you’re experiencing — that’s incredibly frustrating, and we completely understand your concern. Fungus gnats are a common challenge in organic soils, especially those rich in natural compost and nutrients. They’re usually harmless to plants but can be a nuisance. They tend to thrive in consistently moist environments, so adjusting your watering routine to let the top layer of soil dry out between waterings can often help disrupt their lifecycle. That said, we absolutely want to make this right and help you get back to enjoying your plants. Could you please send us the following information to contact@backtotheroots.com? A photo of the front and back of the soil bag Whether the gnats appeared before or after using the soil A quick note about your watering routine Your order number, if available Once we receive that, we’ll be happy to look into this and assist with a replacement if needed. Thank you again for your feedback, and we’re here to support you every step of the way!
Bug infestation.
1 out of 5 stars
Thumbs down graphic, would not recommend
M - 30 days ago, Verified purchaser
WARNING: This soil caused a major gnat infestation in my house. Highly recommend that you do not use.
1 reply from Back to the Roots, Inc. team - 29 days ago
Hi M! We're so sorry to hear about your experience. Fungus gnats can occasionally appear in organic soil, especially if conditions are warm and moist. To help us investigate, could you please email photos of the full front and back of the bag to contact@backtotheroots.com? It would also be helpful to know if you noticed the gnats before or after using the soil, and what your watering routine looks like. Thanks for bringing this to our attention — we’re here to help!
Nats
1 out of 5 stars
Thumbs down graphic, would not recommend
Lauren - 1 month ago, Verified purchaser
Filled with fungus nats!
1 reply from Back to the Roots, Inc. team - 29 days ago
Hi Lauren! We're so sorry to hear about your experience. Fungus gnats can occasionally appear in organic soil, especially if conditions are warm and moist. To help us investigate, could you please email photos of the full front and back of the bag to contact@backtotheroots.com? It would also be helpful to know if you noticed the gnats before or after using the soil, and what your watering routine looks like. Thanks for bringing this to our attention — we’re here to help!
Crawling with gnats
1 out of 5 stars
Thumbs down graphic, would not recommend
Returned it - 1 month ago
I picked it up this afternoon and when I opened it at home , there were a lot of gnats flying inside the bag. Fortunately I opened it in my garage and not inside my house. I just filled up a small pot and poured diluted hydrogen peroxide in it and I repotted a small plant in it. The rest I dumped in a plastic container and closed with a lid tightly. Hoping the gnats die and I can use that soil. Didn’t have patience to go back to the store and get a replacement or return it. Disappointed as this is the first time I am buying this brand.
1 reply from Back to the Roots, Inc. team - 1 month ago
Hello there! Thank you for taking the time to share your experience — we're really sorry to hear about the gnats and completely understand how frustrating that can be. Fungus gnats are unfortunately a common challenge with all organic soils since they’re made with natural, compost-based ingredients that can occasionally attract them, especially if bags are exposed to warmth or humidity during transit or storage. That said, they definitely shouldn’t be swarming when you first open the bag, and we want to make this right. When you have a chance, please email us at contact@backtotheroots.com with a clear, full photo of both the front and back of the bag so our quality control team can look into it. We’d also be happy to send you a replacement. Thanks again for giving our soil a try — we’d love the chance to turn your first experience into a better one!
BUGS
1 out of 5 stars
Thumbs down graphic, would not recommend
Hf - 1 month ago, Verified purchaser
Not good for house plants. I now have a ton to gnats flying around my room :(
1 reply from Back to the Roots, Inc. team - 1 month ago
Hello there! We’re really sorry to hear about the gnats — we know how frustrating that can be, especially indoors. Fungus gnats can sometimes appear with organic soils since they’re made from natural, compost-based ingredients and don’t contain synthetic pesticides. That said, they definitely shouldn't be causing an infestation, and we want to help make this right. When you have a moment, please email us at contact@backtotheroots.com with a clear photo of the full front and back of the bag, and let us know whether you noticed the gnats right when you opened the bag or only after using the soil in your plants. That info will help us with quality control and support. We’d also be happy to send you some troubleshooting tips and offer a replacement. Thanks for giving our soil a try — we’d love to help turn your experience around!
fungus gnats
1 out of 5 stars
Thumbs down graphic, would not recommend
BriAAA - 1 month ago, Verified purchaser
Like many other reviewers, I opened the bag and a swarm of fungus gnats came out. Why aren’t they pulling this from shelves??
1 reply from Back to the Roots, Inc. team - 1 month ago
Hi BriAAA! We’re really sorry to hear about your experience with fungus gnats — we understand how frustrating that can be. Because our potting mix is made from organic, compost-based ingredients, it can sometimes attract fungus gnats, which is a common challenge across many organic soils. However, we absolutely want to ensure you’re receiving a product that meets our quality standards. Please email us at contact@backtotheroots.com with clear photos of the front and back of your bag so our quality team can review your batch. We’d be happy to send a replacement if needed and offer tips to help manage any gnats. Thanks for sharing your feedback — we’re committed to making this right!
Bag was filled with gnats!
1 out of 5 stars
Thumbs down graphic, would not recommend
Sg - 1 month ago, Verified purchaser
Do not buy! I opened the bag and there were gnats everywhere! Days later and I still have gnats flying around my home.
1 reply from Back to the Roots, Inc. team - 1 month ago
Hello there! We’re really sorry to hear about your experience—that sounds incredibly frustrating, and it’s definitely not what we want for our growers. Fungus gnats can sometimes appear in organic soils because they’re made with natural materials that retain moisture and support microbial life. While they don’t harm plants, we understand that having them in your home is unpleasant. The good news is that they’re treatable with simple solutions like letting the top layer of soil dry out, using sticky traps, or applying neem oil. That said, we’d love to make this right. If you could send us photos of the front and back of the bag to contact@backtotheroots.com, we’d be happy to take a closer look and send a replacement if needed. Thank you again for reaching out—we’re here to help every step of the way.
Wanted to love it...
1 out of 5 stars
Thumbs down graphic, would not recommend
Powdery mildew - 2 months ago
It gave all of my beautiful herbs powdery mildew.
1 reply from Back to the Roots, Inc. team - 2 months ago
Hello! We’re really sorry to hear about the powdery mildew on your herbs—that's definitely not the experience we want for our growers! Powdery mildew is a common fungal issue that can affect herbs, especially in environments with high humidity, low airflow, or excess moisture on leaves. We’d love to learn more and help make it right. Could you please send us photos of your plants and any details about how they’ve been growing to contact@backtotheroots.com? Our team will take a closer look and offer personalized support. In the meantime, to help prevent powdery mildew: 🌿 Make sure your plants have good air circulation ☀️ Place them in a spot with plenty of indirect sunlight 💧 Water at the base, avoiding getting the leaves wet Thanks so much for growing with us—we’re here to help every step of the way!
DO NOT BUY
1 out of 5 stars
Thumbs down graphic, would not recommend
madiii - 3 months ago, Verified purchaser
HORRIBLE!! infested our whole apartment with gnats!!
1 reply from Back to the Roots, Inc. team - 3 months ago
Hi Madi! We're so sorry to hear about your experience — that’s definitely not what we want for our customers. Fungus gnats can be common with all soils, as they’re attracted to decaying organic matter and thrive in moist, warm environments. Please send a photo of the front and back of the soil bag to contact@backtotheroots.com. We'd love the opportunity to make this right and help you grow with us! 🌱
Believe the reviews!
1 out of 5 stars
Thumbs down graphic, would not recommend
Momo - 3 months ago, Verified purchaser
I should’ve trusted my gut when I was in the store and was being swarmed by gnats, but I was a new gardener and desperately in need of soil. 1) believe the other reviews. This is not really soil but ground up mulch. 2) gnats everywhere! And now I am so worried about my plants!
1 reply from Back to the Roots, Inc. team - 3 months ago
Hi Momo! Thank you for sharing your experience, and we're truly sorry to hear about the issues you've encountered. As fellow gardeners, we know how frustrating pests like gnats can be, especially when you're just starting out. Fungus gnats are a common challenge in indoor gardening and can sometimes be attracted to the moisture in soil or compost-based mixes — especially when conditions are warm and humid. The good news is that they’re manageable, and we’re here to help you get things back on track! We’d love to take a closer look and support you with both solutions and a replacement if needed. When you have a moment, please email us at contact@backtotheroots.com with photos of the front and back of the bag you purchased — that will help us identify the batch and provide the best next steps. You’re not alone on this journey — we’ve got your back, and we’ll help your garden thrive 🌱
Brought gnats into my home
1 out of 5 stars
Thumbs down graphic, would not recommend
RiDaPe - 3 months ago
My home is infested with fungus gnats now
1 reply from Back to the Roots, Inc. team - 3 months ago
Hello! We're so sorry to hear about your experience — that sounds incredibly frustrating, and we absolutely understand your concern. Fungus gnats can be an unfortunate side effect when growing indoors, especially in moist environments, and we want to help make it right. Please reach out to our team directly at contact@backtotheroots.com so we can learn more about your situation and provide the best possible support. We truly value your feedback and are here to help every step of the way. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to make this right.
Worked first 2 years. Horrible last year (2024)
2 out of 5 stars
Thumbs down graphic, would not recommend
Bri - 3 months ago
Last year was the first year it was pretty bad. A lot of mulch and gnats. NONE of my green beans, peppers, tomatoes or cucumbers grew. They would sprout and die over and over. Also a lot of mushroom caps. The soil looked different compared to previous years (2022 & 2023) . I trusted it would be okay but I should have listened to my green thumb.
1 reply from Back to the Roots, Inc. team - 3 months ago
Hi Bri! We're really sorry to hear about your experience with the soil this past season — that’s definitely not what we want for your garden. We appreciate you sharing these details and want to help make it right. To better understand what happened and help troubleshoot, could you please reach out to us at contact@backtotheroots.com? If possible, include photos of the soil and any affected plants, along with any additional details about your growing conditions. Our team is ready to look into this and support you in getting your garden back on track. Thanks again for your feedback — we truly value your green thumb and are here to help!
Do Not Buy from this company
1 out of 5 stars
Thumbs down graphic, would not recommend
Suzi - 3 months ago
This is not soil. It is full of mold, gnats, and rust. Such a disappointment. Unethical business for sure.
1 reply from Back to the Roots, Inc. team - 3 months ago
Hi Suzi! We're very sorry to hear about your experience and truly appreciate you bringing this to our attention. This is not the standard we strive for, and we want to make things right. Could you please send photos of the soil to contact@backtotheroots.com so our team can better understand what happened and assist you directly? We’re here to help and ensure you have a positive experience.
This is not soil!
1 out of 5 stars
Thumbs down graphic, would not recommend
Tricia356 - 4 months ago
It's mulch! Good grief what a waste of money. Thought I was buying potting soil.
1 reply from Back to the Roots, Inc. team - 4 months ago
Hi Tricia356! Thank you for your feedback, and we’re sorry to hear you were disappointed. Our Organic Potting Mix does contain larger pieces of organic material by design—these help improve drainage, prevent soil compaction, and break down over time to enrich the mix naturally. That said, we definitely want to ensure you received the quality you expected. If you’d be willing, please email us at contact@backtotheroots.com with photos of the soil you received so our team can take a closer look and assist you further. We’re here to help make things right!
Mushroom growth after a week
2 out of 5 stars
Thumbs down graphic, would not recommend
Sarah - 4 months ago, Verified purchaser
Growing tomatoes and basil indoors in pots, noticed all three pots have these mica caps. Apparently it's not bad for plants but not a huge fan of this at all. Would probably not purchase again.
1 reply from Back to the Roots, Inc. team - 4 months ago
Hi Sarah! Thanks for taking the time to share your experience. We totally understand your concern with the mica caps—it’s not uncommon in some soil blends, but we’d love to take a closer look to make sure everything is as it should be. Would you mind sending us a few photos to contact@backtotheroots.com? Our team would be happy to take a closer look and help however we can. We always want to make sure you're having the best possible experience growing with us. Looking forward to hearing from you! 🌿