KIS Organics Biochar Soil Mix

Premium Water-Only Living Soil

KIS Organics Biochar Soil Mix is our flagship water-only living soil, enriched with 8% Black Owl Biochar by total volume. Formulated for heavy-feeding crops and hot, dry climates, biochar drastically increases Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC), optimizes moisture retention, and creates a permanent microbial habitat.

Just plant and water - no bottled nutrients required, and no risk of nutrient burn. This mix delivers all the beneficial biology, nutrients, and minerals your plants need to thrive for several months.

Key Product Highlights

• Registered as a Fertilizer: Unlike standard soil mixes, we take the extra regulatory steps to register our mix as a fertilizer due to the dense, high-grade nutrient payload packed into every bag.
• Proven Heavy Metal Compliance: Formulated with a balanced pH and specific mineral interactions that bind heavy metals. Our growers consistently pass strict state-level heavy metal compliance testing.
• 8-Year Reusable Media: Engineered for long-term sustainability. Tested and re-amended in indoor bed systems for up to 8 years, saving you thousands on soil replacement.
• Lab- & Microscope-Tested Biology: Every batch uses microscope-verified compost and peat inoculated with beneficial microorganisms for maximum nutrient cycling.
• 100% Organic & Chemical-Free: Free from synthetic fertilizers, artificial additives, and fillers.

Ingredients & Formulation

Black Owl Biochar, Sphagnum Peat Moss, Aged Fish Compost, Earthworm Castings, Volcanic Pumice, Glacial Rock Dust, Basalt, Calphos Soft Rock Phosphate, Oyster Shell Powder, Organic Alfalfa Meal, Organic Fish Bone Meal, Organic Crustacean Meal, Kelp Meal (Ascophyllum nodosum), Neem Cake, Karanja Cake, Organic Fish Meal, Organic Feather Meal, Natural Calcite, Ag Lime, and Beneficial Microbes.

Learn more about the specific benefits of each ingredient on our blog.

Application Rates & Growing Tips

• Minimum Container Size: We recommend a minimum of 7-gallon containers to comfortably carry a plant through a full flowering cycle without extra inputs.
• Indoor Lighting Ratio: Allocate 60 to 90 gallons of soil per grow light.
• Moisture Management: Keep soil consistently moist near field capacity (around 80 mbar on a tensiometer). We strongly recommend Blumat automatic drip systems or the Blumat Digital Moisture Meter.
• Field Capacity Squeeze Test: Squeeze a handful of soil firmly. If only 1 or 2 drops of water trickle out, your soil is at ideal field capacity.
• Small Containers / Heavy Feeders: If running larger plants in smaller pots, top-dress weekly with our KIS Organics Nutrient Pack to maintain optimal growth.
• Living Soil Disclaimer: This soil is biologically active. Beneficial soil organisms and insects are naturally present to maintain a resilient soil food web.

Packaging, Shipping & Local Pickup

• Packaging Variants: The 1.0 cu ft option ships in plain, unprinted bags to keep retail costs low. The 1.5 cu ft bag comes in full custom packaging.
• Local Washington Pickup: Pickup is available at select WA locations. To arrange local pickup, process payment, and schedule an appointment, call us at (425) 558-0990 or email orders@kisorganics.com.
• DIY Option: Live far away? Avoid high soil freight costs by purchasing our KIS Organics Nutrient Pack to mix with locally sourced peat and compost using our online nutrient schedule and recipe guide.

Commercial & Bulk Purchasing (1+ Yards)

All our soil mixes are available in bulk. The minimum bulk order is 1 cubic yard, with discounts applied to larger quantities. View our Bulk Order Info Page for details.

Please note that bulk orders cannot be purchased through the online shopping cart. Please complete our Bulk Order Form (opens in new tab) with your details and our commercial team will respond with a personalized quote.

Lab Reports, COAs & Educational Resources

Heavy Metal & Safety Reports

• Brookside Labs Heavy Metals Analysis (PDF, opens in new tab)
• Cannabis ChemLab Heavy Metals Certificate of Analysis (PDF, opens in new tab)
• KIS Biochar Soil Mix Safety Data Sheet / MSDS (PDF, opens in new tab)

Soil Science & Economics Articles

• 7 Important Things When Building a Living Soil
• The Economics of 'Water Only' Living Soils
• A Comparison of Living Soil Methodologies in Relation to Plant Health and Yield in Controlled Environments
• A Cost Analysis of KIS Organics Soil Over A 3 Year Period

Cannabis Cultivation & Science Podcast Episodes

• Episode 14: All About Biochar with Renel Anderson
• Episode 78: Benefits and Uses for Biochar with Tom Miles