Compositions are provided that are planting matrices containing spores of Bacillus spp. microorganisms for benefiting plant growth. The Bacillus spp. microorganisms include newly identified Bacillus licheniformis strain RTI184 deposited as ATCC No. PTA-121722 and Bacillus licheniformis CH200 deposited as Accession No. DSM 17236. Both Bacillus licheniformis strains were shown to produce previously unreported Fengycin-like and Dehydroxyfengycin-like cyclic lipopeptides that are not produced uniformly among strains of Bacillus licheniformis. The planting matrices provided include potting soils. The pH of the potting soils can range between 4 to 8. The growth benefit provided by the planting matrices can be exhibited by improved seedling vigor, improved root development, improved plant growth, improved plant health, increased yield, and improved plant appearance.本發明提供組合物,其為益於植物生長之含有芽孢桿菌屬(Bacillus spp.)微生物之孢子的栽植基質。該等芽孢桿菌屬微生物包括以ATCC編號PTA-121722寄存之新鑑別的地衣芽孢桿菌(Bacillus licheniformis)菌株RTI184及以寄存編號DSM 17236寄存之地衣芽孢桿菌CH200。兩個地衣芽孢桿菌菌株均顯示產生先前未報導之豐原素樣(Fengycin-like)及脫羥基豐原素樣環狀脂肽,其在地衣芽孢桿菌菌株當中不均勻產生。所提供之該等栽植基質包括盆栽土。該等盆栽土之pH可在4至8間之範圍內。該等栽植基質所提供之生長效益可由幼苗活力改進、根發育改進、植物生長改進、植物健康改進、產量增加及植物外觀改進展現。