Does soil smell bad?
Photo Credit: Courtesy of 3DStockPhoto (bad smell image)
Why Does My Soil Smell Bad? Smelling soil should be a pleasant experience; fresh soil gives off an earthy, but not dirty, scent. If the soil of your houseplants or outdoor plants has a rotten odor, including traces of sulfur or ammonia, then the most likely cause is that too much water gathers in the soil.