Peat-Free Compost — Best Coco Coir Alternative for UK Growers

Of all peat alternatives, coco coir most closely replicates the fine, spongy texture and water-holding properties of peat. Gardeners transitioning from peat will find the handling experience very similar.

Commercial tomato, pepper, and cucumber growers across the UK and Netherlands have used coco coir as their primary substrate for over 20 years. It accounts for 30–40% of global greenhouse substrate volume.

Containers, raised beds, grow bags, propagation trays, hydroponic systems — coco coir adapts to every growing method. See our how it works page for details.

A single 5 kg brick expands to approximately 75 litres of growing medium — the equivalent of several heavy bags of compost. Store it dry until you need it.

Coconut husks are a by-product of the coconut industry. Using them as growing media diverts agricultural waste from landfill and avoids the environmental damage caused by peat extraction.

Unlike peat (which becomes hydrophobic when dry and resists re-wetting), coco coir absorbs water readily even after drying out completely — a critical advantage in summer heat.

Place the 5 kg brick in a large tub and add 20–25 litres of water. It expands to approximately 75 litres in 20–30 minutes.

For containers: mix 60% coco coir, 30% compost, 10% perlite. For hydroponics: use 100% buffered coco coir. See our mix ratios page.

Fill your containers, pots, or beds and plant immediately. Coco coir is nutrient-neutral, so start a liquid feed programme from week one.

The UK government has set a target of 2030 for banning the sale of peat-based compost to amateur gardeners. Some retailers are already phasing out peat products ahead of this date. Professional growers may follow under separate regulation.

Buffered coco coir matches or exceeds peat in the properties that affect plant growth: water retention (8–10× vs ~4× for peat), aeration, pH stability, and re-wetting behaviour. The RHS has grown successfully peat-free across all its gardens since 2019. The key is choosing a buffered, washed product — not a cheap, raw alternative.

Yes. Buffered coco coir with its stable pH and fine texture is excellent for seed propagation. Use it pure in seed trays, or blend 50:50 with perlite for extra drainage. The low EC ensures delicate seedling roots are not exposed to excess salts.

Virtually everything. Tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, strawberries, herbs, salad leaves, flowers, houseplants, and microgreens all perform well in coco coir — either as a standalone medium or blended with compost and perlite. Our mix ratios page has crop-specific recipes.

Yes. Coconut husks are a by-product of the coconut industry — using them as growing media prevents agricultural waste from going to landfill. Unlike peat, coconut palms produce husks continuously (every 45–60 days), making coco coir a genuinely renewable material.