Potting soil, or miracle soil/potting mix, is a type of substrate for growing plants, vegetables and herbs in containers.
Many parents enjoy getting their children involved in planting and gardening and wonder if it is safe to play in potting soil.
So is potting soil safe to play in?
The short answer is probably, yes. Potting soil can harbor harmful fungi and bacteria, but the risk of infection or illness is very low. There are safer things to play in like child-safe play sand.
Playing in Potting Soil – and Eating It
If you have a backyard, it’s probably not surprising that you have potting soil.
And, for families, it’s probably not surprising you have children that enjoy playing in it.
Most parents have found themselves in a scenario of gardening or playing in the garden with little ones, only to have a handful of potting soil put in a toddler’s mouth.
Should you panic?
Of course you wouldn’t want your young child to eat potting soil. But it is unlikely that it will harm the child.
But if they eat a lot of potting soil, a quick call to their pediatrician may be worthwhile to ensure no problems arise.
What could happen if you eat potting soil?
If eating potting soil does cause any adverse effects, it’s most likely going to be through nausea and diarrhea.
If you notice your child eating potting soil, just make sure to keep an eye on the child, and give them plenty of fluids.
In the event that your child is having belly issues, take care of your child as you would normally do, and if the symptoms get worse you could seek medical advice.
You would be surprised, but toddlers tend to eat potting soil (or sand and dirt) quite frequently. Children learn a lot about the world around them from an early age by putting items into their mouths.
Most of the time, when the item is unpleasant tasting, children will spit it out right away.
If the potting soil is new and you know there is no animal feces contamination, this is likely to not be an issue, and just sample to rinse the child’s mouth out.
Heads up! If the potting soil does contain contaminants or could have bacteria or other parasites, you should call a medical professional.
Are there any benefits to eating dirt?
Most parents, understandably, do all they can to stop their children playing in dirt and eating it too.
However, some argue that there are perks to playing in potting soil and dirt.
Soil has microbes in it, which may help with immune system development.
These microbes may help those who are exposed to them, develop fewer illnesses, such as asthma, as there are less likely to have been sensitized due to dirt exposure gradually.
Being exposed to dirt may allow the child’s immune system to be stronger to pathogen and growth.
They are also more likely to have, virtually no gastrointestinal events.
Of course, this does not indicate that it is beneficial if you want to eat potting soil. The point is there is less to be worried about than you think!
The problems of over-sanitizing
There was a time when some people were a little too protective when it came to sanitizing hands prior to the Covid-19 pandemic.
But since 2020, we’ve all seen that a variety of cultures (some individuals and other cultures) regularly use hand sanitizer nowadays, and although this is a positive aspect of the Covid-19 pandemic, excessive use of hand sanitizer can have adverse effects.
A sanitized hand and germ-free life can limit children’s development of immunity to disease.
If your child touches potting soil, encourage them to wash their hands with soap and water afterwards, but hand sanitizer is not necessary.
What are the downsides of playing in potting soil (and eating it)?
Toddlers are naturally inquisitive.
You might think it’s ok for them to play around in potting soil but probably wouldn’t want them eating it.
If they eat a little then there is no need to worry, but more would pose some risk.
The main risk is the potential for stomach infections, lead poisoning, or other foodborne illnesses.
Potting soil can harbor viruses, parasites, and bacteria. Most potting soil is harmless, however, with some containing high levels of mercury or lead, both of which can be toxic.
Additionally, if they eat a lot of potting soil there is a possibility of them having an intestinal blockage or constipation.
Children that crave dirt
Some children love playing in potting soil, whereas others may never think to put it into their mouth, and there are still others who want to eat dirt.
They don’t necessarily think dirt tastes good but may be acting spontaneously to the tactile experience they are having.
Young children have no understanding of bacteria and pathogens and are attracted to the moment of spontaneity.
All children will naturally be attracted to explore or interact with everything they touch, including dirt.
Does eating dirt willfully mean anything?
As previously stated, kids usually act impromptu and eating potting soil is just something they don’t even consider a “no-no”.
Some kids will do it more than others. All kids are different- some love getting their hands dirty while others don’t like any kind of sticky stuff near their fingers.
In general, wanting to eat or play in potting soil is completely common and most children will just grow out of it. However, for some, it may be a sign of a nutritional deficiency.
This also happens to pregnant women who crave dirt or other non-foods!
If you think that your child is trying to intentionally eat potting soil (i.e. they are actively searching for it or consuming it regularly), it is worth getting their blood levels checked.
Additionally, giving them a multivitamin every day will help whether they are deficient or not.
How to discourage your child from eating potting soil
There are several things that you can try to discourage children from eating potting soil or dirt:
- Depending on their age, have a discussion about why they are eating it and that they shouldn’t do that.
- Ask them to do something else and offer plenty of safe and engaged activities for them.
- Be sure they are getting enough nutrients and consider having a daily multivitamin.
- Supervise your child while playing. If the desire for eating potting soil appears to be more than you would consider normal, speak to their pediatrician.
Is potting soil harmful to babies?
Potting soil can include all sorts of things like bark chips, peat moss, perlite, or vermiculite.
These materials are not anything to worry about, but just double-check the potting soil does not have things like pesticides or harmful chemicals that could be toxic to babies.
Final thoughts on playing in potting soil
There is little likelihood that potting soil will harm children that play in it.
And even if a child happens to consume potting soil, they may not experience any adverse effects.
However, if a child consumes a large quantity of potting soil, or you suspect that a potentially harmful additive was included in a potting soil, you should seek medical attention from a physician.