If you’re a gardening or houseplant enthusiast, you may have already pondered the choice of coconut coir vs peat moss. Your choice of growing medium can make an enormous difference in the health and success of your plants, so it’s important to understand the benefits and disadvantages of each option.
What is coconut coir?
Coconut coir, also called coco coir or coco peat, is made from the leftovers of coconut processing. The coconut husk fiber is broken down into a light but chunky texture perfect for adding to soil. It’s usually sold in bricks and must be broken apart before you can use it as an amendment in potting soil.
What is peat moss?
Peat moss comes from the decomposed remains of sphagnum moss and other organic matter found in peat bogs. It’s been a popular potting soil amendment for over a century because of its ability to hold on to moisture and nutrients. Peat moss is widely available and usable right out of the bag or container.
How they compare
Peat moss is more acidic than coco coir, making it perfect for plants that love highly acidic soil. However, coco coir’s neutral pH range makes it more suitable for a wider variety of plants. Both materials are extremely efficient for absorbing and holding on to moisture, but coir has a tendency to dry out more quickly than moss.
One point of controversy when deciding between the two is sustainability. Peat moss is harvested from nature and can take decades to replenish itself. Coco coir, by contrast, is a waste product of coconut processing. Coconut trees are plentiful and quick-growing, making coir an easily renewable resource.
Ultimately, the decision between coconut coir and peat moss is up to the individual gardener. However, if you’re interested in sustainable gardening practices, ecologists recommend using coco coir as a soil conditioner instead of peat moss to help preserve a quickly diminishing resource.
About the Author
Robin Anderson Real Estate
“My Passion is people and relationships and I promise to provide my clients with exceptional service tailored to their individual needs.” -Robin Anderson
Georgia native, Robin Anderson brings her passion for people and her love of homes to work for her clients. She and her husband, Andy, have been married for over 30 years and have two adult children, Ellen and Drew. They currently live in Fulton County, but Robin has lived and invested in properties throughout metro Atlanta as well as helped clients buy and sell. She has been integral to many real estate endeavors including designing and building several custom homes, remodeling homes, subdividing land, managing rental properties, and buying and selling properties. She spent her first 3 years in real estate working with a new home builder, and she has spent the last 6 years working with buyers and sellers in her own community. Robin is highly motivated but sensitive to the fact that buying and selling homes can be an emotional experience, so she makes it a priority to keep clients closely informed throughout the process and strives to produce quick results. She appreciates the opportunity to help her clients navigate the real estate process, and she aspires to deliver quality customer service that is both informative and positive. She is driven to provide outstanding service for her clients and she is focused on building successful and lasting relationships with her clients. This personalized service earns her enthusiastic referrals from clients she is pleased to call friends.Edit
