No reports of toxic chemicals in Miricle grow potting soil from reputable sources have been made and it is what I use. People who subscribe to “all organic” ignore the fact that elements are the same whether they are organic or synthetic and slow release nitrogen fertilizer that is synthetic is better than fast acting all organic urea. Urea can burn plants. 
This article is a common sense explanation of some of the concerns and why they are baseless.
https://herpetocultureinc.com/2023/03/09/is-miracle-gro-potting-mix-dangerous/

Evelyn Locke;

I agree that Miracle-Gro potting soil is perfectly safe to use. But what about Miracle-Gro Garden Soil?
People are claiming it contains high levels of PFAS and plastic. Is there any truth to that?

Jeffery Thole
St. Paul, MN




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I was able to locate one study but they did not release the names of the products examined. Biosolids appear to contribute the most PFAS contamination so biosolid free garden soil should have the least. I don’t know the names of products that are tested for biosolids.

Concerns have been raised regarding the presence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and plastics in gardening products, including those from Miracle-Gro. A 2021 study by the Ecology Center and the Sierra Club tested nine garden fertilizers containing biosolids for over 30 PFAS chemicals. Eight of these fertilizers had levels of PFOS or PFOA exceeding Maine’s biosolids standard. However, the specific brands tested were not disclosed in the available summary.

Additionally, some gardeners have reported finding foreign materials, such as plastic pieces, in Miracle-Gro potting mixes. For instance, a user on Houzz mentioned discovering a tiny piece of glass, a penny, some plastic, and a small piece of aluminum in the soil. Similarly, a Reddit user reported encountering hard plastic parts and colored stones in Miracle-Gro garden soil.

While these anecdotal accounts suggest potential contamination, comprehensive testing data on PFAS and plastic content in Miracle-Gro potting soil is limited. The manufacturer states that their soil products are not sterilized and may contain microorganisms such as fungi. However, they do not provide specific information regarding testing for PFAS or plastic contaminants.

Given the potential health and environmental risks associated with PFAS and microplastics, further independent testing and transparency from manufacturers would be beneficial to ensure the safety of gardening products


Bagged garden soil, including brands like Miracle-Gro, is typically made from a mix of organic and inorganic materials rather than just “dirt” from a single location. The components are sourced from various places, including:

1. Forestry Byproducts – Many garden soils contain processed wood products, such as aged bark or sawdust, which come from lumber mills and timber operations.

2. Peat Moss – Often harvested from peat bogs, primarily in Canada and parts of the northern U.S. Peat helps with moisture retention.

3. Compost – Some bagged soils include composted organic matter, which may come from municipal composting facilities, agricultural waste, or commercial composting operations.

4. Perlite & Vermiculite – These minerals, used for aeration and drainage, are mined from volcanic regions and processed before being added to soil blends.

5. Sand or Clay – Some soils may include sand or clay to adjust texture and drainage. These materials are sourced from quarries or riverbeds.

6. Fertilizers & Additives – Many bagged soils include synthetic or organic fertilizers, sourced from chemical production plants or natural sources like manure and bone meal.

Manufacturers source these ingredients from multiple locations, process them in regional facilities, and then mix and bag the final product for distribution. If you’re looking for a specific origin of a brand’s soil mix, checking the label or contacting the manufacturer is the best way to find out.