Your small potted plants won't survive a hot summer if you use the wrong soil – this is the mix experts recommend

Herbs growing in small terracotta plant pots on black painted wooden shelving.

Wondering how to fill small pots in the garden? It isn’t as simple as gathering soil from the border – but there is a right way to top them up.

There are plenty of ways to fill the bottom of a large planter, but small pots don’t have as much room for trial and error. They’re far more susceptible to drying out, and because space is limited, it isn't unusual for heavier soils to suffocate the plants growing in them.