The 8 Best Earth substrates (2023 reviews)

Zoo Med line of substrate come in a pretty wide variety of styles, so you can definitely find one that suits your individual preferences and needs. These beddings aren't very natural, but they do a decent enough job as a ball python substrate. It is perfect for box turtles. If you mix it with some sand, it creates a perfect blend for any reptile. It holds a ton of water and doesn't clump or get hard as it dries. The bedding moisture MUST suit your turtle.

This is perfect for reptile habitat. It is ideal for naturalistic terrarium type set-ups incorporating reptiles, amphibians, or invertebrates.

Why We Like This:

Bricks are easy to store, too
Best bedding for humid or dry enclosures
Delivers what they promise

Best For making A balanced humid vivarium: Joshs frogs Earth Substrate

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Compared with other substrate in this category, the joshs frogs earth substrate has a convenient design. There are substrates out there (like Zoo Med Excavator Burrowing Substrate) for tunneling critters that hold their shape. There's no horrid smells or anything and the springtails and plants love it. This ABG mix, which is recommended for live terrariums for several species of reptiles, seems to be of high quality. It smells amazing, does not come with insects, and holds humidity, while still allowing adequate drainage for more sensitive species of plants.

This ABG mix is best modified slightly, preferably with the addition of some calcite or small leca for a solid drainage element, and worm castings for nutrients. The abg substrate does stay moist with daily spraying and keeps the humidity regulated. It doesn't need to be taken out or replaced. It is great for any bio active tank.

Why We Like This:

Good dirt for tropical set ups
Pretty good soil mix for humid vivariums
Nothing harmful, just clean up crew type critters such as earthworms and millipedes

Best For tropical And forest habitats: Zilla Earth Substrate

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Zilla has been making great substrate for years, thanks to a combination of clever design and appropriate materials. This U.S.-made product is blended to be completely biodegradable, so it is as good for earth s environment as it is for a reptile. It is used to make a bioactive soil for reptiles. It is light weight too. It holds so much humidity. It is perfect for reptiles to move comfortably in. This would work great for a scorpion. This soil has bits and pieces of other bark like substrate.

Why We Like This:

Good soil for humidity with care
Forest smell, twigs, sticks, overall a good substrate
Good investment for long term

Best For crafts: Flukers Earth Substrate

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We would, of course, be remiss if we didn't mention flukers earth substrate for daily purpose. This is an excellent, high quality substrate for hermit crabs. It takes to keep it moist. The sand holds its shape super well. There are colors that layer dark/light in the bottles. The coconut fiber helps to hold the moisture. The sand has not had a fishy smell. They LOVE burrowing in it and it’s perfect to put the dishes in to bury so everything is level. This product is great for pets.

Why We Like This:

Better than plain sand, works well for your pet
Great for immediate use, healthy, natural look, very appealing and easy
Great for digging down and molting

Best For Bearded Dragon: Croci Earth Substrate

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We know from years of feedback from readers, customers and amazon sellers, what most people want in a convenient and appropriate substrate. The croci earth substrate is exactly that - it's a simple substrate that hits all the right notes. Mold and create multi-level terraces and burrows in your reptiles terrarium make your reptiles feel like they are at home" in their natural habitat. It is great for lizards and guys that can actually dig. It takes two 10 lb bags to fully cover and build up a 20 gallon terrarium. It is a dry clay and should not be difficult unless it gets wet. It is easy to use, fun to mould the custom cavern for juvenile bearded dragon. It looks great and dries solid so it's less likely than loose sand to cause impactation.

Why We Like This:

Really changes the entire look of bearded dragon terrarium
Great for sculpting out unique habitats and avoiding impaction
Interesting substrate and excellent for mixing with soils for moss
You can embed fake plants and plastic rocks so they are sturdy

Best For optimum plant growth: Dbdpet Earth Substrate

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The dbdpet earth substrate's superior materials makes sure that it ages well with use. The Eco Earth Loose Coconut Fiber Substrate is a product made from the husks of coconuts and can be safely composted or recycled into potted plants or gardens. It is ideal for naturalistic terrarium type set-ups incorporating reptiles, amphibians or invertebrates.

Why We Like This:

Good investment for long term
Good brand reputation

Best For naturalistic Terrarium type: Generic Earth Substrate

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We know from years of feedback from readers, customers and amazon sellers, what most people want in a convenient and appropriate substrate. The generic earth substrate is exactly that - it's a simple substrate that hits all the right notes. Newzooland brings you a unique combination for reptiles lovers. The Eco Earth brick is a compressed coconut fiber that is ideal for burrowing animals. It is used to increase humidity in an enclosure. It is ideal for naturalistic terrarium type set-ups incorporating reptiles, amphibians or invertebrates and hydro balls to increase humidity levels for all tropical reptiles.

Each Eco Earth brick makes 7-8 Liters of substrate and is available in a single pack and can be safely composted or recycled into potted plants or gardens.

Why We Like This:

, you can use hydroballs and mesh for landscaping real plants
One of the new comers and featured product

Best Premium: Petshine Earth Substrate

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The petshine earth substrate's high-end materials makes sure that it ages well with use. The Eco Earth Loose Coconut Fiber Substrate is an eco friendly product made from the husks of coconuts and can be safely composted or recycled into potted plants or gardens. It is ideal for naturalistic terrarium type set-ups incorporating reptiles, amphibians or invertebrates.

Why We Like This:

New and hot release
One of the new comers and featured product