Back to the Roots 12qt Organic Seed Starting Mix Potting Soil
$7.99
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3.5 out of 5 stars with 359 reviews
quality: 1.63 out of 5
value: 1.89 out of 5
10% would recommend
114 recommendations
1 out of 5 stars
Thumbs down graphic, would not recommend
24 March, 2026Verified purchase
Not worth it
Full of chunks. Not worth the money. Looks more like mulch than seed starting mix. Don’t waste your time or money.
1 reply from Back to the Roots, Inc. team - 5 days ago
Hi Carrie! We're sorry to hear you have had this experience, and we would love to hear from you. Please send us photos of the soil and photos of the full front and back of the bag to contact@backtotheroots.com. We'd love to take a look and send a replacement bag as needed.
3 out of 5 stars
Thumbs down graphic, would not recommend
23 March, 2026Verified purchase
Wood chip filler
Just in one 36 cell starter tray, I picked out enough wood chips for 5 handfulls. The chips aren’t small. The soil itself is alright and my seeds germinated, but the amount of soil I’m left with after removing the wood chips is not worth the price of the bag. Doesn’t hold water very well.
1 out of 5 stars
Thumbs down graphic, would not recommend
21 March, 2026
Save your money
Full of gnat eggs which kept hatching ... and hatching ... and hatching. Mfg. offered a refund but I really don't want more gnats. Seedlings were stunted as well. Many died. Changed mixes, used same seed lots and zero problems. Save your money.
1 reply from Back to the Roots, Inc. team - 7 days ago
Hi there! We're sorry to hear you've had this experience. Fungus gnats are common in all organic mixes, but this does not sound standard. Please reach out to us at contact@backtotheroots.com. We would love to hear from you and make this right.
1 out of 5 stars
15 March, 2026
(no review title)
It’s very disappointing and ugly ! I came from 8mikes! Now you are telling out of stock even your site is showing
1 reply from Back to the Roots, Inc. team - 12 days ago
Hello there! If you have any questions about our Organic 3-in-1 Seed Starting Mix, please feel free to reach out to contact@backtotheroots.com. We'd be happy to help troubleshoot!
1 out of 5 stars
Thumbs down graphic, would not recommend
14 March, 2026Verified purchase
Junk "Potting Soil"
This is more like junk fill! There is very little actual nutrient rich soil and quite a bit of peat moss followed by mostly LARGE pieces of mulch. But not any mulch, dyed black mulch! They must use the mulch as filler! Save your money. I am hesitant on using this because the dye even stained my hands.
1 reply from Back to the Roots, Inc. team - 13 days ago
Hello MJ! Thank you for your feedback. This does not sound standard for our Organic 3-in-1 Seed Starting Mix, but it is peat-free. Please send photos of the soil itself and photos of the front and back of the bag to contact@backtotheroots.com. We'd love to take a look and help with a replacement as needed.
1 out of 5 stars
Thumbs down graphic, would not recommend
12 March, 2026Verified purchase
Large wood chunks, very disappointing
Disappointed. Seed-starting mix should be light and fine, but the first scoop from the bag had three large wood chunks in it. That’s not appropriate for starting seeds. I returned it because it felt more like overpriced soil than a proper seed-starting mix.
1 reply from Back to the Roots, Inc. team - 18 days ago
Hi Emily! Thank you for your feedback — this does not sound normal for our Organic 3-in-1 Seed Starting Mix. If you have any photos of the soil, and the front and back of the bag, please send them to contact@backtotheroots.com. We would love to hear from you and make this right.
1 out of 5 stars
Thumbs down graphic, would not recommend
6 March, 2026
Do not use for seed germination!
This is not a good seed starting soil there are wood chips that are too big for germinating seeds in. My snapdragon seedlings have been growing in the soil for seven weeks and the growth has been abnormally slow. I’ve talked to a few other gardeners who have used this soil and they said they had the same problem. i’m sure it’s OK for more established plans, but definitely not for seed starting.
1 reply from Back to the Roots, Inc. team - 22 days ago
Hi there! Thank you for bringing this to our attention. This does not sound normal for our Organic 3-in-1 Seed Starting Mix. Could you please send photos of the soil, your plants, and photos of the front and back of the bag, as well as details about your care routine, to contact@backtotheroots.com? We'd love to help troubleshoot and send a replacement bag as needed.
1 out of 5 stars
Thumbs down graphic, would not recommend
6 March, 2026Verified purchase
Large chunks of mulch, to big for seed treys
I was expecting seedling soil, but I got a mix of large mulch and sand that I was surprised to see in a bag labeled for seed starting. Definitely would not recommend or buy again
1 reply from Back to the Roots, Inc. team - 25 days ago
Hi Hailey! We're sorry to hear your seed starting mix was not what you were expecting. This is not the experience we want for our customers, and we'd love to take a look and make this right. Please email photos of the soil and the front and back of the bag to contact@backtotheroots.com. We'd be happy to send a replacement!
1 out of 5 stars
Thumbs down graphic, would not recommend
22 February, 2026Verified purchase
Terrible
Seed starting mix is supposed to be light and fluffy so the delicate seedlings don’t have to fight big chunks of debris to break the surface and develop roots. This mix is full of large wood chips. It’s pure greed selling this stuff before it’s broken down enough and/or filling it with crap to take up space.
1 reply from Back to the Roots, Inc. team - 1 month ago
Hello Abby! We are sorry to hear that you've had this experience, but we'd love to hear from you and make this right. Please email photos of the soil itself and the front and back of the bag to contact@backtotheroots.com so we can take a look. We look forward to hearing from you!
1 out of 5 stars
Thumbs down graphic, would not recommend
29 January, 2026Verified purchase
Extremely Poor Quality
There should be ZERO stars allowed for accurate rating! This seed starting mix it pure garbage. There are so many chunks in it that it cannot be used without sifting. Im not sifting soil when its below zero. ZERO STARS!
1 reply from Back to the Roots, Inc. team - 2 months ago
Hi there! We’re really sorry to hear about your experience and understand how frustrating that must be—especially in those conditions. That’s definitely not what we want for our customers. So we can look into this and help make it right, could you please email us at contact@backtotheroots.com with a few photos of: The soil itself and the full front and back of the bag you received Once we have that information, we’d be happy to review and assist with a refund or replacement, pending approval. We appreciate you bringing this to our attention and giving us the chance to help.
1 out of 5 stars
Thumbs down graphic, would not recommend
12 January, 2026Verified purchase
Filled with Flies!!!
Ive purchased this on three separate occasions out of desperation- all 3 contaminated with fungus gnats. Do not buy!
1 reply from Back to the Roots, Inc. team - 3 months ago
Hi there! We’re really sorry to hear about your experience — we understand how frustrating fungus gnats can be. Fungus gnats are unfortunately very common in houseplants and can occur with any soil brand, especially since they’re naturally present in indoor environments and are attracted to moisture and organic matter. While our soils are carefully formulated and quality-checked, gnats can still find their way into open bags or freshly potted plants once they’re in the home. That said, we absolutely want to help make this right. If you’re willing, please reach out to us at contact@backtotheroots.com with photos of the full front and back of the bag, and our team would be happy to look into this and help with a replacement. We truly appreciate you sharing your feedback and giving us the opportunity to support you 🌱
1 out of 5 stars
Thumbs down graphic, would not recommend
18 April, 2025Verified purchase
Flies
I opened the bag and it was filled with tons of small flies. Do not buy.
1 reply from Back to the Roots, Inc. team - 11 months ago
Hi Haley! We're truly sorry about the experience you've had with our Organic Seed Starting Mix. While flies are not standard with our soil, we would love the chance to help troubleshoot and see what you're dealing with. Please send a few photos of the soil and the flies to contact@backtotheroots.com along with a photo of the lot number on the bag. Our team would be happy to take a closer look and offer tips to help you grow or a replacement or refund. We look forward to hearing from you!
5 out of 5 stars
15 April, 2025
originally posted on influenster.com
Great!
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] I love gardening so this seed starting mix was the perfect blend to help out my leafy green veggies. It worked well and now my greens are very happy and thriving.
1 out of 5 stars
Thumbs down graphic, would not recommend
13 April, 2025Verified purchase
Way too chunky
Ugh, I wish I had never bought this! I ran out of my usual seed starter and thought this would be a fine substitute. How wrong I was...It's way too chunky for delicate seeds and seedlings. Small seeds don't seem to have been able to push themselves out. 6 weeks later, and only exactly half of my seeds germinated. Compare that to my usual seed starter, which I'd started some seeds in the week prior, which had an 80% success rate. Same lighting, same amount of water—all other variables the same. Truly a waste of my time and resources. Now I'm way behind on my gardening. Won't be buying again.
1 reply from Back to the Roots, Inc. team - 1 year ago
Hello! We're sorry to hear you're having trouble with our Organic Seed Starting Mix. We've recently improved the blend for a finer, more consistent texture, and we'd love to help troubleshoot. Could you please send a photo of your soil and plants, along with clear images of the front and back of the bag, to contact@backtotheroots.com? Our team will take a look and do our best to help you grow successfully!
1 out of 5 stars
Thumbs down graphic, would not recommend
28 March, 2025Verified purchase
Not good
The worst seed starting mix. I could dig up better soil from my yard. It has tons of mulch, peet (which it clearly states on the front it’s free from). Do not buy.
1 reply from Back to the Roots, Inc. team - 1 year ago
Hi there! We're sorry to hear you're having trouble with our seed starting mix. Please send a photo of the soil as well as a photo of the front and the back of the bag to contact@backtotheroots.com. We'd love to help you grow with us!
5 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
24 March, 2025Verified purchase
Quick and easy
I like it and will buy more it's easy to use
5 out of 5 stars
20 March, 2025
originally posted on influenster.com
Organic seed start
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] I love the seed starting mix. Very easy to work with ,environmentally friendly, great value. Very nutrient rich pete free easier to waterVery nutrient. Rich peat, easier to water. Highly recommend
5 out of 5 stars
17 March, 2025
originally posted on influenster.com
Great soil
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] This is great seed starting soil mix. The soil is a rich black and it is free of large pieces of mulch and debris that I’ve experienced with our soils. I also like that it’s organic.
1 out of 5 stars
Thumbs down graphic, would not recommend
16 March, 2025
Chunky.
Huge chunks of mulch and sticks. Not good for seed starting. Not great for even containers honestly. Sad because seems like a good company. Wouldn’t buy again
1 reply from Back to the Roots, Inc. team - 1 year ago
Hi V! We're sorry to hear your seed starting mix did not have the texture you were hoping for. Please send a photo of your soil and the front and back of the bag to contact@backtotheroots.com so we can take a look. We'd love to help you grow with us!
5 out of 5 stars
16 March, 2025
originally posted on influenster.com
Perfect
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] I recently had the chance to try the Organic Seed Starting Mix, which was sent to me for free from Influenster in exchange for my honest review, and I am really impressed with the results! I used it to reseed the grass in my front yard, and the mix provided an ideal environment for the seeds to thrive. The texture is light and fluffy, which helps with aeration and water retention, promoting strong seed growth. I noticed that my grass started sprouting quickly, and the healthy growth continued without any issues. Overall, I’m very happy with the Organic Seed Starting Mix. It’s a fantastic product for anyone looking to give their seeds the best start, whether it's for grass, flowers, or vegetables. Highly recommend it!