Coco Coir Vs Peat Moss: What’s The Distinction?

Coco coir (AKA cocopeat, or coconut coir) and peat moss (AKA Sphagnum moss) each are common rising mediums utilized in hydroponic programs. Each these planting mediums have their execs and cons when it comes to drainage system, water and moisture retention, pH, value, and sustainability. 
 
Choosing one medium over one other may appear complicated for you as a gardener. These plant mediums are alternate options to the soil, and share many similarities and variations, and most significantly they each provide wholesome rising circumstances for styles of vegetation. 
 
So which one must you select between peat moss and coco coir? Immediately, on this comparative weblog, we’ll focus on these two rising mediums intimately, their options and makes use of, advantages, drawbacks, and variations, and reply which one is forward of the curve.  
 

What Is Coco Coir?

Coconut coir also called coco coir or coco peat, is a pure fiber extracted from coconut husk. It’s a pure byproduct of the coconut business. Within the USA, the lion’s share of this rising medium comes from South Asia, significantly from India and Sri Lanka. 
 
The making means of coco peat is easy. It includes extracting the fibers from the husk, washing them, after which curing and drying them. As it’s fabricated from natural matter, it’s thought-about sustainable for the surroundings. 
 
Coco peat is a renewable useful resource and a well-liked rising medium in hydroponic gardening and horticulture. It’s extremely recognized for its water retention, aeration, and skill to advertise wholesome root progress in vegetation.  
 

Options of Coconut Coir

Coco peat or coconut coir has some key options and makes use of that make it a well-liked different to conventional soil. 
 
Listed here are among the primary options of coco peat: 

Water Retention: Coco Coir has a 40% water holding capability. This water retention potential ensures a constant moisture degree for all vegetation in addition to prevents overwatering. 

Aeration: It has a superb air porosity that gives aeration within the soil. This helps stop soil compaction and permits roots to obtain adequate oxygen. 

pH Impartial: Cocopeat has a impartial pH degree of 5.7 to six.5 which is neither too acidic nor too alkaline. That’s why you don’t want so as to add pointless limestone or oyster shells. 

Light-weight: Coconut coir is light-weight and fluffy. The light-weight rising medium is at all times the best choice because it’s straightforward to deal with and transport. 

Biodegradable: Coco coir is fabricated from pure assets. So, it breaks down naturally over time which enriches the soil with natural matter as nicely. 

Lengthy-Lasting: It has a lifespan of as much as 4 years which is longer than another planting mediums. 

Makes use of of Coco Coir

Coco peat is a flexible materials with numerous makes use of.  
 
Essentially the most widespread use of it’s as a soil modification or standalone rising medium in gardening and horticulture. It’s typically utilized by gardeners to combine with soil which improves water retention. 
 
In addition to, cocopeat is often utilized in hydroponic programs as a substrate for rising vegetation with out soil. Nevertheless, you may as well use it when beginning seeds. The nice texture of this rising media permits for glorious seed-to-mix contact that promotes germination. 
 
It could actually additionally assist regulate soil temperature, suppress weeds, and retain moisture when used as mulch to cowl the soil floor. Moreover, Coco Coir mats and blankets can management soil erosion. 
 
Other than greenery makes use of, you should use it for animal bedding, composting, and humanities and crafts.  
 

What Is Peat Moss?

Peat moss is a kind of natural materials derived from partially decomposed vegetation, primarily mosses (A rootless and flowerless plant) from the genus Sphagnum. They accumulate in waterlogged circumstances. 
 
It varieties in peat bogs over 1000’s of years. Peat moss consists predominantly of sphagnum moss and different plant supplies in numerous levels of decomposition. 
 
A lot of the peat moss you see within the USA is imported from Canada. 
 
Identical to coco coir, peat moss has an unbelievable potential to retain water. It additionally improves soil construction and aeration. Nevertheless, there are some environmental points related to peat moss harvesting. Since it’s extracted from fragile ecosystems, sustainable alternate options like coco peat are generally most popular.  
 

Options of Peat Moss

Your hydroponic and potted vegetation can profit from a number of important options of peat moss rising media. You possibly can elevate acid-loving vegetation utilizing peat moss resulting from its barely acidic pH degree. 
 
Listed here are some worth-noting options of sphagnum peat moss:  

Acidic pH: Peat moss tends to be naturally acidic which has a pH degree of three.0 to 4.0.  Acid-loving vegetation like blueberries, Pieris, heathers, azaleas, camellias, rhododendrons, tomatoes, and so forth can develop nicely on this acidic situation. 

Water Retention: In accordance with Dr. Michael R. Evans, Division of Horticulture, College of Arkansas, sphagnum moss has a complete of 97% pore area and 60 to 68 p.c water-holding capability. This superb water retention potential retains the soil moist for vegetation. 

Aeration: Aeration permits higher oxygen penetration to the roots. Peat moss enhances soil aeration by stopping soil compaction.  

Gradual Decomposition: Peat moss can last more because it decomposes very slowly. 

Microbial Exercise: Peat moss develop media helps microbial exercise within the soil by encouraging microorganisms. 

Soil Construction: You possibly can enhance soil construction by loosening dense or compacted soils utilizing peat moss. 

Makes use of of Peat Moss

Peat moss has numerous makes use of in gardening and horticulture. 
 
You should utilize sphagnum peat moss as a soil modification, or soil conditioner by mixing it with backyard soil. It could actually improve soil construction, aeration, water-holding capability, and drainage. 
 
In addition to, peat moss is often used as a part in seed-starting mixes resulting from its nice texture and skill to retain moisture. 
 
Nevertheless, should you’re rising container vegetation, you may make one of the best soil for vegetable backyard utilizing peat moss as a potting combine. Furthermore, utilizing peat moss for backyard mattress amendments, mulching, and acid-loving vegetation are widespread practices. 
 

Coco Coir Vs. Peat Moss: Key Variations

Now that you understand the fundamentals about peat moss and coco coir, you should be able to get into the principle part – the variations. Since each rising media share many widespread options and traits, it may be complicated for beginner gardeners to differentiate these two mediums. 
 
We’ll evaluate these two planting mediums based mostly on the next elements: 

1. Environmental Affect 
2. pH Stage 
3. Water Retention Means 
4. Nutrient Comparability 
5. Helpful Microorganisms 

Environmental Affect

Each peat moss and coco coir are derived from pure sources. 
 
Nevertheless, coco fiber or coco peat is taken into account a extra environment-friendly choice. 
 
Coco coir is derived from coconut husk fibers which is a pure byproduct. If you happen to don’t make the most of this waste materials, it could in any other case be discarded. In addition to, the happiest half is that coconut timber will not be harmed through the coir extraction and recycling course of. 
 
However, peat moss is harvested from peat bogs or swamps and marshes. It takes 1000’s of years to type by the decomposition of mosses and plant materials. 
 
Relating to extracting peat moss, it contributes to habitat destruction and the discharge of saved carbon dioxide.  
 
In accordance with Oregon State College scientists, “harvesting peat moss contributes to local weather change”. In addition they state that harvesting peat moss destroys a local habitat important to the survival of birds, reptiles, bugs, and small mammals. 
 

pH Stage

Peat moss is acidic and has a low pH of 3.0 to 4.0, whereas coco peat is pH impartial with ranges between 5.7 and 6.5. Selecting peat moss is a brilliant determination should you would like to develop acid-loving vegetation.  
 
Nevertheless, if the backyard soil is alkaline, then utilizing peat moss can profit vegetation by its acidic pH. However, most vegetation, together with greens, and unique vegetation, develop completely nice when planted in coco coir. 
 

Water Retention Means

Each peat moss and coco coir are admired for his or her water retention capability. Peat moss and coco coir can take in 10 to twenty occasions extra water than their dry weight. 
 
To place it plainly, each coco coir and peat moss can be utilized to maintain the soil constantly moist. Moreover, each mediums are extremely aerated and might drain water nicely, which positively stops circumstances like waterlogging.  
 

Nutrient Comparability

Relating to vitamins peat moss and coco coir have their very own variations.  
 
As an example, within the case of pH degree, peat moss is acidic whereas coco coir is impartial. If you want to develop vegetation and greens that love much less acidic circumstances, you’ll want components like limestones to scale back the acidity. 
 
In addition to, gardeners additionally add NPK macronutrients – Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), and Potassium (Ok), to the soil to make it extra nutritious. Although these are obligatory for peat moss develop media, coco coir doesn’t want all these vitamins. 
 
Coco coir is of course wealthy in Phosphorus and Potassium. Nevertheless, it lacks nitrogen, calcium, and magnesium. Due to this fact, including these will increase the nutrient degree within the soil. 
 

Helpful Microorganisms

Each peat moss and cocopeat can help the expansion of helpful microorganisms. 
 
Coco coir has a fibrous construction and pure anti-fungal properties that may discourage dangerous pathogens whereas encouraging a wholesome microbial neighborhood. Its impartial pH degree additionally creates appropriate circumstances for a broad vary of microorganisms. 
 
Peat moss additionally promotes the expansion of helpful micro organism and fungi within the soil. Its acidic nature might entice sure acid-loving microorganisms. The very best factor about peat moss is that it typically has some useful dwelling organisms in it when harvested. 

Peat Moss Vs Coco Coir: A Comparability Desk

 
The next desk compares coconut coir and peat moss as hydroponics mediums or planting mediums displaying the principle variations: 

 
Coconut Coir Vs Peat Moss: Benefit and Drawback

Relating to evaluating peat moss and coconut coir, each have many benefits and sure disadvantages as nicely.  
 

Benefits of Coconut Coir

1. Coconut Coir incorporates excessive quantities of lignin and cellulose that stop decomposing and shrinking. Because of this, coir can maintain extra water than peat moss. 
2. As we’ve talked about, coir has a pH vary of 5.7 to six.8 which is impartial. This lets you develop styles of vegetation with out including any further limestone to regulate the acidity degree. 
3. Coconut coir is a extra sustainable useful resource than peat moss.  
4. Coir is sterile and fewer liable to containing bacterial and fungal spores in comparison with peat moss. 
5. Coconut coir is a well-liked rising medium for hydroponic gardening and is taken into account extra versatile for numerous gardening purposes. 
6. Coir can present a supportive construction for plant roots and helps deter fungus gnats and sure ailments. 

Disadvantages of Coco Coir

1. Coco peat or coco coir will be prone to contamination with animal manure since cows freely roam in India. 
2. The processing includes important water utilization, which might contribute to water air pollution and lift environmental considerations. 
3. Giant-scale coconut farming for coir manufacturing might result in soil nutrient depletion (AKA soil degradation). 
4. In accordance with analysis printed in PubMed means that working within the coir business might result in respiratory ailments although it wants extra stable proof. 
5. Coir might require changes in fertilizers, particularly lowering potassium ranges and growing nitrogen ranges. 
6. Coir is costlier in america than peat moss as a result of transport value related to importing it from South Asia. 

Benefits of Peat Moss

1. Peat moss or sphagnum moss can take in as much as 20 occasions its weight in water and launch water slowly that be certain that sustained moisture to vegetation. 
2. It has an acidic pH (3.0 to 4.0) that makes it helpful for acid-loving vegetation like blueberries and azaleas. 
3. Peat moss successfully holds onto vitamins which prevents them from leaching out to the soil rapidly. 
4. It promotes adequate drainage.  
5. Peat moss is cheap.   

Disadvantages of Peat Moss

1. Peat moss shouldn’t be thought-about environmentally pleasant as it may take as much as 25 years for peat bogs to resume after harvesting. 
2. Rising vegetation that need greater pH with peat moss might require further backyard lime to regulate pH. 
3. Peat moss can include bacterial and fungal spores that will contaminate vegetation. 
4. Peat moss might entice snails which generally is a nuisance to you. 
5. It has low dietary content material. That’s why it requires further fertilizers for plant progress. 

Which One Is Higher for Rising Mediums?

You’ve already realized the important thing distinction between peat moss and coconut coir. Now the query that may come up is which rising medium it is best to use on your backyard. 
 
Each peat moss and coco coir are appropriate for contemporary gardens. There are not any winners right here. Nevertheless, Coco Coir is forward of the competitors when it comes to sustainability. 
 
One other good thing about coir is that it has a balanced pH which is neither too acidic nor too alkaline. This additionally makes it appropriate for various vegetation. 
 
However, in line with many ecologists, peat moss isn’t thought-about environmentally pleasant. In addition to, although it’s appropriate for acid-loving vegetation, it’s possible you’ll must make changes for vegetation that desire a greater pH. 
 
Nevertheless, you will need to do not forget that each these planting mediums are nice for rising vegetation whether or not as standalone soil substitutes or mixing with conventional soil. In essence, selecting between these two mediums is a matter of non-public desire. 
 

Continuously Requested Questions (FAQs)

Listed here are some related questions and solutions associated to coconut coir and peat moss. 
 

Can I Combine Coconut Coir and Peat Moss?

Sure, you possibly can combine coco coir and peat moss as a rising medium. Combining these two can add nice advantages to soil. Each have unbelievable water retention capability, good drainage, and aeration. The widespread ratio for mixing coco coir and peat moss is 1:1 or adjusting is predicated on particular plant necessities. You can too add perlite or vermiculite to the combination to additional enhance aeration and drainage. 

Is Sphagnum Peat Moss Acidic or Alkaline?

Peat moss is acidic. It’s typically used to scale back pH ranges in alkaline soil. If a soil check signifies that your soil is simply too alkaline or has a better pH, including some peat moss can get it down.  

What Kinds of Crops Like Peat Moss?

Not all varieties of vegetation like peat moss rising medium. Nevertheless, you possibly can nonetheless develop quite a lot of plant sorts utilizing peat moss. As an example, peat moss can create excellent rising circumstances that replicate an unique tropical forest. Consequently, tropical vegetation like Pothos, Anthurium, Pachira, and Ficus will be grown on this medium. In addition to, you may as well elevate acid-loving vegetation equivalent to tomatoes, blueberries, Pieris, heathers, camellias, azaleas, and so forth. Sure houseplants, fats vegetation (e.g., Aeonium, Pachypodium, Aloes), and shrubs or woody vegetation additionally develop nicely in peat moss.  

Is Coco Peat the Similar as Coco Coir?

Coconut coir or coco coir is also called coco peat. It’s a pure byproduct harvested from coconuts. It’s environmentally pleasant and creates excellent rising circumstances by offering glorious water retention, drainage, and aeration.  

What Is The Distinction in Value Between Peat Moss and Coco Coir?

Peat moss is inexpensive in comparison with coco coir. You should buy 2 cu. Ft peat moss for $20 to $30. However, the coconut coir value is somewhat bit greater and will value between $30 to $40. Nevertheless, the worth might fluctuate relying on the standard, availability, and placement. 

Can I Use Coco Coir for Beginning Seed?

Sure, you possibly can plant seeds in coco coir. There are many advantages of sprouting seeds in coir together with the truth that it’s eco-friendly and renewable. In addition to, you may as well use one of the best supplies for beginning seeds by mixing a balanced ratio of peat moss, vermiculite, perlite, mycorrhizae (to advertise root progress), coco coir, and compost (feed seedlings).   
 

The Backside Line

Pricey gardeners, hope you’re now prepared to select your favourite rising medium. Regardless of which one you select between peat moss and coco coir, crucial factor is to know what your vegetation want. Other than water retention, drainage, aeration, vitamins, and pH degree, you must also be conscious of environmental points whereas choosing an acceptable rising medium on your backyard.