Most commercially available potting soils contain peat. Peat is mined from raised bogs. This extraction causes massive environmental damage, which is why substrate manufacturers are required to voluntarily abandon peat starting in 2025. A complete peat ban is then scheduled to take effect by 2030. But what does this ban mean for us houseplant lovers?
What is peat and how is it formed?
First, an explanation of what peat actually is: Peat is a layer of soil that is extracted from bogs. After the Ice Age, lakes formed on impermeable layers of soil, where plants settled. These plants died and fell into the water. Because plants don't decompose as quickly underwater as they do on land, an ever-growing layer formed. At some point, the lakes became so shallow that they silted up, creating a bog. This resulting layer of dead and slowly decomposing plant remains is called peat.
What is peat used for?
Peat has many advantages that make it indispensable, especially in horticulture and plant breeding. It contains almost no nutrients and can retain many times its weight in water. Because it is low in nutrients, it is ideal for all plants. Young plants require few nutrients to germinate, while older plants require a great deal of nutrients, which can be added as needed through fertilization. Although it is so compact and water-retaining, it allows the roots to breathe. Peat can also be pressed into soil blocks, which are particularly useful in horticulture for growing young plants and can be planted directly into the soil without the use of plastic pots.
What is the problem with dismantling?
In some parts of Germany, you can see these vast, barren areas. Bogs are being drained and the peat extracted. The problem is that this destroys the habitat of many species, and the CO2 stored in the bogs is released into the atmosphere. This CO2 is continually driving climate change. Germany has many laws regarding peat extraction. For example, intact bogs are not allowed to be extracted; only areas that were already used for agriculture before extraction. After extraction, these sites must be restored, which is very costly. Companies cannot continue to use these areas. The regulations are not yet as strict in the Baltics. Peat is extracted cheaply there and transported to Germany, which is also not very climate-friendly. The extracted areas do not need to be restored and can continue to be used for agriculture or forestry. How long this will last is still unclear. Perhaps the laws in the Baltics will also be tightened soon. But until then, many German companies are also going abroad to extract peat.
Peat ban
All of these negative impacts on our environment are causing increasing public protest against peat extraction. Politicians want to completely ban the sale of peat-based potting soil by 2030. They believe that extraction is no longer viable and that there are enough alternatives. The government is already calling for a shift to peat-free soil – many potting soil manufacturers and plant producers have voluntarily committed to participating by 2025.
What are the alternatives?
Peat has been the main ingredient for soils in agriculture, horticulture, and hobby areas for many years. However, the range of alternatives is very wide:
1. Compost
Compost is probably the first alternative that comes to mind. It involves collecting plant waste and allowing it to decompose. This method of composting is sustainable, and you can create your own compost heap in the garden, from which you'll always receive fresh soil. There are so-called worm bins for your home. These are special wooden boxes in which you collect your organic waste, and earthworms decompose it into compost. The only disadvantage of compost is its high nutrient content, which makes the soil unsuitable for some plant species or young plants.
2. Bark humus
Pine bark is fermented to produce bark humus. This retains air better than peat, allowing the roots to breathe easily. It is very low in nutrients, but can retain them well when added. This allows the nutrients to be adjusted according to the plant's needs.
3. Coconut fiber
Coconut fiber substrate usually comes in compressed blocks and swells when water is added. It has many of the positive properties of peat and is very similar to it. Especially for houseplants, coconut soil is a very popular alternative to peat. The only drawback is the long transport distances to Germany.
4. Expanded clay
Of course, one option is to do without soil altogether. You can grow many plants hydroponically. You place them in expanded clay with a water-fertilizer mixture. This method is very environmentally friendly. You can reuse the expanded clay over and over again, and no resources are wasted.
Houseplants in peat-free substrates
Peat is a very slow-growing resource, and its extraction destroys our natural environment and contributes to climate change. The peat ban is a step in the right direction to protect our climate. There are many good alternatives to peat that we can use. So, the next time you buy soil, make sure it's peat-free.
It's important to note, however, that peat retains nutrients well in the substrate and releases them to the plants as needed. Without this nutrient storage, you'll need to think about fertilizing your plants more often! You can find the perfect sustainable organic liquid fertilizer for your peat-free soil in our shop!
