Can a Potting Soil Mix Bring a Plant Back From the Dead? Apparently, Yes

Monsteras are my Achilles' heel. Each cutting or plant that comes through the door faces the same fate. Most recently, an unbelievably gorgeous Monstera “Esqueleto” that had come into my care. Despite my desperate attempts, the leaves started wilting. In an even more desperate attempt, I cut it down to a large single vine and said I'd give it until spring.

Enter Rosy Soil. I told CEO and founder Chad Massura my plight, and he sent me Rosy's Houseplant Soil and Aroid Soil. In a last-ditch effort, I repotted the monstera with the aroid soil, figuring if it didn't spring back, I could just pull it up and plant something else. Five months passed, and just when I was about to give up, one spring morning I gasped aloud after finding it had put out a new leaf.

What's the Difference Between Rosy Soil and Standard Potting Soil?

It's actually easier to talk about what I didn't notice when switching several of my houseplants and orchids over to Rosy Soil over the winter. I didn't notice any bugs. I didn't notice any soggy soil or mold. I didn't notice potting soil all over the floor from trying to hold bags of loose soil closed with chip clips (Rosy comes in a resealable bag).

What you will notice is the color and texture of the soil: It's deep and dark, and, at first glance, looks wet. Some of that color comes from the addition of eco-friendly biochar — in the most basic terms, a carbon-rich, charcoal product made from burning organic waste, think plant residue, wood chips and even manure. It's frequently used as a soil amendment to improve aeration, plus water and nutrient retention, keys to healthy roots and avoiding rotting. Their houseplant mixes also include the more familiar compost and worm castings.

"Most potting soils today still rely heavily on peat," says Chad, "which is harvested from some of the planet’s most important carbon sinks. We wanted to build a higher-performing alternative that was better for plants and better for the planet."

Like many, Chad grew up gardening with his grandmother. He told Forbes he asked for potting soil for Christmas at only 3 years old. After starting a successful food delivery startup as a college student, he felt the call to give back to the planet and improve food industry systems, which led him to travel across farms in South America and eventually start a sustainable food delivery startup. Then, he teamed up with scientists to create Rosy Soil.

In addition to its Houseplant Mix and Aroid Soil, Rosy Soil's lineup includes mixes for orchids, cactus and succulents, seedlings and herbs, plus plant food and a Biochar Booster for amending soil you can find on the shelves and online shops of many major retailers.

Rosy Soil's Got a Brand-New Bag (Literally)

Now, Rosy Soil has given itself a makeover in the form of a refreshed package design and updated formulas of its plant mixes based on customer feedback. The packaging redesign aims to simplify and make choosing the right mix for a plant more approachable for beginners and longtime gardeners alike.

In June 2026, Rosy launched its Garden Mix, the first true outdoor blend, made to withstand the elements during a long summer-gardening season. It uses the same biochar-forward blend and also includes a recycled paper fiber "to create some of that airy/fluffy texture gardeners typically associate with peat."

“The new Garden Mix takes everything we’ve learned from our houseplant community and brings it outdoors with a blend designed for balcony gardeners, raised beds, herbs, veggies and container growing," says Chad.