Peat Moss & Coco Coir (16 items found)

The best way to grow a thriving garden is to use the right soil. Sphagnum peat moss and coconut coir are similar soil conditioners known for their water retention properties and other benefits that help your plants grow. Read on to learn how peat moss and coco coir can help your garden grow greener, then browse Ace to find which of these soils is best for your plants.

What is Sphagnum Peat Moss?

Peat moss is the dead, fibrous material from mosses and other plants that decompose in bogs. Peat moss is lightweight and fluffy and has a high pH, making it an ideal amendment for plants that like acidic soils, like blueberries or camellia flowers. Add organic peat moss and compost to your soil for a bountiful garden.

What is Coco Coir?

Coco coir is composed of ground-up coconut husks, which contain large amounts of lignin and cellulose that prevent it from shrinking or decomposing. It has a neutral pH, which is preferable for many garden plants. Coco coir soil has a lightweight texture like peat moss, but it’s darker in color.

Peat Moss vs. Coco Coir: Which is Best?

Although peat moss and coco coir are similar, they have several important differences, and each has its own pros and cons. Here’s a rundown of considerations to help you decide between using peat moss and coco coir for your garden.

Water Retention Rates

Both peat moss and coco coir are highly water retentive. Both can hold as much as 10 times their weight in water, but peat moss releases water more slowly than coco coir, retaining it longer. Because it saturates easily, coconut coir doesn’t need to retain water as long as peat moss.

Acidity Levels

Peat moss soil has a pH typically ranging from 3 to 4, so if you have acidic soil-loving plants, adding sphagnum peat moss to the garden will help them grow large and healthy. Similarly, if you water your garden or indoor plants with tap water—which is typically alkaline—peat moss can help the soil maintain a healthy pH balance that’s neither too acidic nor too alkaline.

By contrast, coco coir runs relatively close to neutral, with pH levels between 6 and 7, ideal for slowly releasing nutrients in soil.

Nutrients Maintenance 

Neither organic peat moss nor coco coir contain nutrients in levels high enough to improve the performance of your plants. However, both substances help the existing soil retain its nutrients by preventing them from leaching out over the course of daily watering. Still, you may need to add additional plant nutrients for the best performance.

Tools for Gardening with Peat Moss

When starting seeds or any new plants, having the right soil is essential for success. Browse Ace Hardware for peat moss soil, coco coir soil and other soils, along with nutrients and all of the gardening tools you need to make garden tasks easier. Shop for leading products from Miracle-Gro, Black Gold and Pro-Mix online or head to your neighborhood store, and let our knowledgeable team help you decide what you need for a lush, productive garden this season.