Nurturing plants has a positive impact on your environment and mental health. Take that one step further and introduce eco-friendly practices into the equation by championing peat-free houseplants.
What is peat?
Peat is decayed organic matter, found in bogs and on moors, and is the world’s largest store of carbon. Peat extraction has gone on for thousands of years, but it is only relatively recently that the negative impact on the environment and the detrimental damage it does to the landscape has become apparent. As peat only grows at 1mm a year, its removal is viewed as a non-renewable, unsustainable practice.
What is being done about it?
The Government have set a target to ban all peat-based products from commercial horticulture by 2030 , while the RHS have an ambitious commitment to becoming peat free by 2025.
What is the difference between peat and non-peat compost?
One of the main reason peat is added to soil is to help retain moisture, peat-free compost is lighter, but will dry out more quickly.
Is peat-free compost better for houseplants?
As it’s less dense, it provides better drainage and good aeration, both of which are good news for plants. And of course it is sustainable so there is no environmental impact from its use.
Caring for peat-free houseplants
Be prepared to water more frequently, but always check beforehand by pushing a finger into the compost first. It may be wetter underneath than you think.
Ensure drainage is adequate, standing the pot on a raised bed of stones if necessary.
Good drainage can leach away feed, so feed regularly in summer months. Choose a slow release or liquid organic feed.
Sometimes a crust can form on the top of the compost, so water will run off instead of being absorbed. Break this up by using your fingers.
Peat-free at RHS Shows
At RHS Urban Manchester, garden centre chain Blue Diamond created four living spaces filled with their peat-free houseplants. While at Chelsea, The Little Botanical, a family business based in West Sussex, brought their ‘Plants with Soul,’ all UK grown and peat-free, to the Houseplant Studios. And the result of two years of experimentation and development into perfecting a peat-free soil mix? All of their plants were thriving and healthy, a good indicator of the success of peat-free compost.
Su Whale is a florist and freelance writer with over twenty-five years' experience in the floristry industry. She is the author and publisher of three best-selling books: Cut Flowers, 4th edition (2020) Cut Foliage, 2nd Edition, (2021) and Houseplants (2019), all bookshelf essentials for the professional florist.
