Back to the Roots Organic Vermiculite for Garden Soil, 8 qt

This is an essential product for both indoor houseplants and for starting seedlings to then move outside. I use it in nearly all my soil mixes. It works wonderfully to increase moisture retention while still allowing easy draining so that you avoid getting mucky soil that rots roots. The moisture retention is especially helpful getting vegetables and herbs started indoors as seedlings because they tend to love some moist soil but should also drain well. It's also helpful for growing houseplants in terra cotta pots, which tend to allow soil to dry very quickly. For some plants, for example tropical houseplants like aroids that like air around their roots or succulents that like more arid conditions, this is still a good soil amendment but I recommend balancing the moisture retention by adding an amendment like perlite or leca to ensure that conditions aren't too wet around the roots. I find that the quality of this brand is right up there with some of the best regarded brands of gardening products. The value is also generally good, though if you think you'll be using lots of it, you could probably save a buck by buying a brand that sells in larger bags where you save money for the large volume.