The best peat-free soils, compared.
Top pick: Lechuza Basicpon peat-free 6 L Best value: Levington peat-free multipurpose 40 L – Lowest price per litre of the two title-labelled multipurpose bags, about £0.25, at about £9.99 for 40 litres. Updated October 2026.
Peat-free soil is a bagged growing medium whose listing says it contains no peat. In the UK you buy it for patio pots, hanging baskets, seed trays and indoor plants. The usual fill is wood fibre, coir, bark and green compost. A houseplant mix and a mineral substrate are different products from a garden bag. You recognise a suitable bag by checks that stay the same when the brands change. The name should say peat-free. It should state the job, the litres and how long any added feed lasts. Multipurpose compost is the volume buy for outdoor containers. Seed wants a finer, lower-feed mix. Acid-loving plants need an ericaceous compost. Indoor pots need a houseplant compost or mineral granules. Compare a price per litre only inside the same job. Wood fibre is normal. The surface often looks dry while the mix below is still moist, so you test with a finger or by pot weight, then feed when the stated window ends. Those checks are set out in the [peat-free soil buying guide](/hub/fertiliser-soil-and-bark-mulch/peat-free-soil/sub/peat-free-soil-buying-guide).
Peat-free soil is a bagged growing medium whose listing says it contains no peat. In the UK you buy it for patio pots, hanging baskets, seed trays and indoor plants.
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Personal buying guide
Question 1 of 2
Where will you use it?
Lechuza Basicpon is a 6-litre peat-free mineral substrate listed without fertiliser or additives, priced at £14.98. That gives you direct control over feeding, which is useful for plants with different nutrient needs but less convenient if you want a ready-fed repotting mix. Amazon.co.uk shows 4.8 stars from 352 reviews, the highest displayed rating in this set, although the sample is smaller than for PON or Houseplant Focus. The 5.2 kg listed weight makes this compact bag relatively heavy, and its price works out at about £2.50 per litre. The listing does not name the minerals, while a UK review mentions lava rock, pumice and zeolite and recommends rinsing; that review is useful context, not a formal specification. It is intended for indoor plants, with outdoor use not clearly supported by the product bullets. Basicpon suits an experienced grower who wants an unfertilised mineral base, but it is a poor fit if you expect compost with feed already included.
Pros
Cons
Best for: Experienced indoor growers who want an unfertilised mineral substrate and prefer to control every feed themselves.
Less suitable: A ready-fed compost, or outdoor planting.
Specifications
Common questions
Does Basicpon include fertiliser?
No. The listing says it is fertiliser-free and free of additives.
Is it for outdoor plants?
The title says indoor plants. Outdoor use is only a question on the page, not a yes in the bullets.
What is it made from?
The bullets do not name the minerals. A UK review says lava rock, pumice and zeolite, and says to rinse it. The rinse step is not on the listing.
Baboo offers a nominal 60-litre multipurpose bag for £13.49, which looks attractive for filling larger pots or beds. The peat-free wording appears only inside a materials bullet rather than in the product title, so this listing does not provide the same clear claim as Miracle-Gro or Levington. Amazon.co.uk shows 4.8 stars from 67 reviews, a high rating based on a comparatively small sample. The bullets describe use for indoor and outdoor pots, seeds and beds, but no feed window or nutrient analysis is printed. Drainage and aeration are also claimed without a supporting test figure. The listed 13.5 kg weight is plausible for a large fibrous bag, yet the structured volume field is absent and 60 litres appears in the title only. Consider it for volume only if you are comfortable with the weaker peat-free evidence and confirm the current listing before buying.
Pros
Cons
Best for: Large-volume pot or bed filling only when you have checked the current peat-free wording and pack size for yourself.
Less suitable: A buyer who needs peat-free stated in the product title.
Specifications
Common questions
Does the title say peat-free?
No. The words peat-free compost appear inside a materials bullet, together with perlite, coir and natural fibres.
Can it be used for indoor plants?
The bullets say indoor and outdoor plants and pots. It is not sold as a houseplant-only mix.
What nutrients does it list?
No NPK or feed window is printed. The bullets call it nutrient-rich without numbers.
This Baboo listing is the two-bag version, with 2 × 60 litres in the title for £24.99 and a listed total weight of 27 kg. It offers the lowest apparent bulk cost in the set, but that calculation depends on the title quantity because the structured volume line is missing. As with the single bag, peat-free appears only in a materials bullet and not in the title, so the claim is weaker than on the labelled Miracle-Gro and Levington products. The listing shares a 4.8-star rating from 67 reviews and the GM60 model code with the single-bag version, making it difficult to know how much feedback is specific to this two-pack. No feed duration, NPK figure or other nutrient window is provided. The bullets claim improved drainage and aeration but give no test measurement. It is a possible bulk buy for many outdoor containers, though not the right choice when an unambiguous title-level peat-free claim is your first criterion.
Pros
Cons
Best for: Bulk outdoor filling when price and quantity matter more than having peat-free stated clearly in the product title.
Less suitable: A buyer who needs peat-free stated in the product title.
Specifications
Common questions
Is this the same model as the single 60 litre bag?
The model number on this listing is GM60, the same code as the single-bag listing. The title says 60 L x 2 and the weight is 27 kg.
Does it say it is organic?
The single-bag title says organic. This title does not. The bullets name natural fibres and coir, and no certification is printed.
Does it claim better drainage?
Yes. The bullets say the mix improves drainage and aeration. No test figure is given.
Lechuza PON provides 12 litres of peat-free mineral substrate for £18.99, aimed at indoor plants rather than garden beds or baskets. Its 4.7-star rating from 5,617 amazon.co.uk reviews is the largest review base in this comparison. The listing names orchids, citrus, cacti and succulents among its uses and describes a mineral balance of water and air, although those figures are manufacturer claims rather than an independent test. At roughly 10 kg, the bag is much heavier than a fibrous compost pack of similar volume, which matters if you move pots or carry it upstairs. Its price is about £1.58 per litre, but comparing that directly with a 40-litre garden compost bag hides the different job and material. No clear feed duration is stated, so you need to follow the substrate and plant feeding guidance rather than assume a set number of weeks. It is the strongest all-round mineral option here when review depth matters and the extra weight is acceptable.
Pros
Cons
Best for: Indoor growers who want a widely reviewed mineral substrate for mixed houseplants and do not mind a heavy bag.
Less suitable: A light bag for the stairs, or a garden bed.
Specifications
Common questions
Can it be used for orchids?
The bullets say it is suitable for all plants, including orchids and citrus.
Is it described for succulents?
The item highlight includes cacti and succulents.
Does the listing say it stops root fungus?
The bullets say it prevents fungus that attack the roots. That wording is the manufacturer's claim.
Houseplant Focus is a dedicated peat-free indoor repotting mix supplied as two 8-litre bags for £17.98. The listing describes a free-draining medium and states that its feed lasts for up to two months, after which you need to begin a suitable feeding routine. Its 4.6-star rating from 1,739 amazon.co.uk reviews gives it a substantial review base for an indoor-specific product. The two-bag format is useful if you repot in stages because one pack can remain closed, although the listing's volume wording should still be checked when ordering. At about £1.12 per litre, it is considerably dearer than garden multipurpose compost, but that is not a like-for-like comparison because this mix is formulated for houseplants. The free-draining claim may help you manage waterlogging, but it is a manufacturer claim rather than an independent test. Choose it when you want familiar compost-style handling indoors rather than changing to a mineral substrate.
Pros
Cons
Best for: Repotting ordinary indoor plants when you prefer a fibrous, compost-style peat-free mix with a stated two-month feed window.
Less suitable: Outdoor beds, or a grower who wants a mineral substrate.
Specifications
Common questions
Is it for houseplants?
Yes. The item type is peat-free soil for houseplants, and the bullets describe an indoor repotting mix.
How long does the feed last?
The listing says it nourishes plants for up to 2 months, then to start feeding with Houseplant Focus.
Does the listing claim it prevents root rot?
It says the mix is free-draining to reduce waterlogging and the risk of root rot. That is a design claim, not an independent test.
Miracle-Gro gives you 20 litres of explicitly labelled peat-free multipurpose compost for £7.95, with the listing stating feed for up to three months. That smaller bag suits a few patio pots, baskets or a modest border better than a large seasonal refill. Its 4.5-star rating comes from 1,307 amazon.co.uk reviews, providing a broader review base than the Levington multipurpose bag in this comparison. Reviewers report strong growth, although one recurring concern is a coir-heavy texture that will not suit everyone. The mix is sold for flowers, fruit and vegetables, but it is not presented as a specialist seed or houseplant compost. At about £0.40 per litre it costs more than the 40-litre Levington bag, so the longer stated feed and manageable pack size are the reasons to choose it. It is a practical top pick for ordinary outdoor containers when you want the peat-free claim clearly stated rather than buried in a marketplace bullet.
Pros
Cons
Best for: Outdoor pots, baskets and small borders when you want a clearly labelled peat-free multipurpose compost with a longer stated feed window.
Less suitable: A large seasonal refill, or a specialist seed or houseplant compost.
Specifications
Common questions
Does this compost say it is peat-free?
Yes. The amazon.co.uk title and the item type both say peat-free premium all purpose compost.
Does it have added fertiliser?
The listing states smart-release feeding for up to 3 months and 14 nutrients.
Is it described for vegetables?
The bullets say it is for flowers, fruit and veg, in beds, borders, baskets, pots and containers.
DIVCHI is a compact 680 g block sold as producing 10 litres of potting mix for £7.70 once water is added. Reviewers describe expanding it before use, which makes it easier to store than a full wet bag but adds preparation time. Amazon.co.uk shows 4.4 stars from 1,702 reviews, so there is a substantial review base, yet the brand does not state peat-free in the title or bullets. One review calls the material coco peat, but a reviewer description is not enough to treat the listing as a verified peat-free product. Review feedback also warns that dry patches can remain after an hour if the block is rushed or wetted unevenly. The bullets claim indoor, outdoor and seed use without identifying a feed window or specialist formulation. It is useful as a space-saving expandable potting medium, but it should not be your choice when a clear manufacturer peat-free claim is non-negotiable.
Pros
Cons
Best for: Space-saving storage and general potting when you accept the preparation step and do not require a verified peat-free claim.
Less suitable: A verified peat-free bag you can tip out and use at once.
Specifications
Common questions
Does the brand say this mix is peat-free?
No. Peat-free is not in the title or the bullets. One review says coco peat.
Is it ready to use?
UK reviews say you add water and wait for the block to expand. One buyer still had dry patches after an hour.
Can it be used for houseplants?
The bullets say indoor and outdoor use, including houseplant potting. It is a general mix, not a named houseplant formula.
Levington supplies 40 litres of explicitly labelled peat-free multipurpose compost for £9.99, making it the lower-cost labelled garden mix here at about £0.25 per litre. The listing says its added feed lasts for eight weeks, after which container plants may need feeding according to their needs. It is intended for beds, borders, baskets, pots and tubs, so the larger bag makes sense when you are filling several outdoor containers. Amazon.co.uk shows 4.4 stars from 64 reviews, a much smaller evidence base than the Miracle-Gro listing. Review feedback is mixed on texture: some buyers call it well broken down, while others report twigs, and wet delivery also appears as a complaint. The shorter feed window and less consistent texture are the trade-offs for buying more volume at a lower litre price. It is the best value of the explicitly labelled multipurpose pair if capacity matters and you are prepared to monitor feeding after eight weeks.
Pros
Cons
Best for: Several outdoor containers or a small bed when you want good-value volume and can take over feeding after the stated eight weeks.
Less suitable: A few small pots, or a buyer who wants a longer stated feed and a larger review file.
Specifications
Common questions
Is this compost peat-free?
Yes. Peat-free is in the title and in the item type name.
Does it have added fertiliser?
The listing says it feeds for 8 weeks and is enriched with green compost.
What is it made with?
The bullets name high quality wood fibres and green compost. No fuller recipe is printed.
Eight amazon.co.uk listings were scored from the stored pages and the UK review notes already on file. There is no laboratory test. A peat-free line, a feed window or a free-draining line is the seller's claim. The top pick is the labelled multipurpose bag the product notes call the practical choice for ordinary outdoor containers. The best value is the lower price per litre of the two bags that state peat-free in the title and are sold as multipurpose compost. Numeric scores still follow the stored display scores, so a high star line on a weakly labelled bag can outscore the top pick. The weights below sum to 100.
Peat-free wording
30%A peat-free claim in the product title counts. A materials bullet, or a review that says coco peat, does not.
Stated job
25%Multipurpose compost, houseplant mix, mineral substrate and a compressed block are different jobs. A litre price is compared only inside one job.
Feed window
20%A stated number of weeks or months is usable. A fertiliser-free line is clear. A missing window is a gap.
Structure and reviews
15%Wood fibre is normal. Twigs, a wet delivery and dry patches after wetting are review complaints. Star rating and review count come from the amazon.co.uk listing.
Price per litre
10%Pounds per litre only where the litres are a specification. A title-only volume is not turned into a litre price.
Buy the job before you buy the litres. Multipurpose compost, a houseplant mix, a mineral substrate and a compressed block are not one list. Prices below are the amazon.co.uk figures stored with these listings. This is not a laboratory test.
Peat-free soil is a bagged growing medium whose listing says it contains no peat. In the UK it is bought for patio pots, baskets, seed trays and indoor plants. The usual ingredients are wood fibre, coir, bark and green compost. Some products are a houseplant mix. Some are mineral granules. A compressed block stays light until you add water, and it is peat-free only if the brand says so. The first check is the wording, not the marketplace category.
A materials bullet, or a review that says coco peat, is not the title claim. Baboo and DIVCHI stay in that weaker group.
The top of a peat-free mix often looks dry while the mix below is still moist. Check with a finger or by pot weight. An RHS trial did not find that these mixes automatically need more water.
Potting compost is a growing medium. The RHS treats it as the wrong material for a mulch. Basicpon does not contain slow-release feed.
The name should say peat-free. Then match the job. Multipurpose compost fills outdoor containers. Seed wants a finer, lower-feed mix, and none of these bags is a seed compost. Ericaceous compost is a separate lower-pH product, and none of these listings is ericaceous. Indoor pots need a houseplant compost or mineral granules. Houseplant Focus is the fibrous repotting mix. PON and Basicpon are mineral substrates. A compressed block is peat-free only if the brand says so. DIVCHI does not.
Levington states eight weeks, Houseplant Focus up to two months, and Miracle-Gro up to three months. Basicpon is fertiliser-free. Baboo and DIVCHI print no window. Wood fibre is normal. Twigs, a wet bag and dry patches after wetting are the review complaints to read. Compare pounds per litre only inside one job. Labelled multipurpose bags in this set sit at about £0.40 per litre or below. The houseplant and mineral bags sit above £1 per litre.
Three typical situations, each with a recommendation from this comparison.
You want a multipurpose bag that says peat-free in the title and states how long the feed lasts. Miracle-Gro peat-free all purpose 20 L is about £7.95, with feed stated for up to three months and 4.5 from 1,307 reviews. The 20 litre pack suits a few pots better than a large refill.
A garden multipurpose bag is the wrong indoor mix. Houseplant Focus peat-free, two 8 litre bags, is about £17.98, with feed stated for up to two months and 4.6 from 1,739 reviews. The free-draining line is the manufacturer's claim. A mineral substrate is a different product.
You are filling more than a couple of pots and you still want peat-free in the title. Levington peat-free multipurpose 40 L is about £9.99, about £0.25 per litre, with feed stated for eight weeks. Amazon.co.uk shows 4.4 from 64 reviews. After eight weeks you take over feeding.
The top pick for ordinary outdoor pots and baskets is Miracle-Gro peat-free all purpose 20 L at about £7.95. The title states peat-free, the listing states feed for up to three months, and amazon.co.uk shows 4.5 from 1,307 reviews. The best value is Levington peat-free multipurpose 40 L at about £9.99, about £0.25 per litre, with feed stated for eight weeks and 4.4 from 64 reviews. Houseplant Focus and the Lechuza substrates are indoor products, and a litre price against a garden bag hides that. Baboo and DIVCHI do not state peat-free in the title. None of these notes is a laboratory test.
Levington peat-free multipurpose 40 L
Lowest price per litre of the two title-labelled multipurpose bags, about £0.25, at about £9.99 for 40 litres.
Editorial
Peter F. is the editor for DIY & tools at productscompared.co.uk. Comparisons in this category are checked against amazon.co.uk listings, review evidence and public UK sources.
Guides on what to look for, how to use a product, and common mistakes.
Public UK sources from the research digest, used for this page in October 2026. Prices, stars and review counts are from the eight amazon.co.uk listings stored with this comparison. A feed window, a free-draining line or a water-and-air ratio is the seller's claim, not an independent test. Peat compost is still legal to sell.
Expert source (DIY & tools): Lee Burkhill (Garden Ninja) (external profile) – public expert commentary used as a research source, not as a contributor to our pages.
This page contains affiliate links to amazon.co.uk (tag pcuk26-21). If you buy through them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Prices, stars and review counts are from the listings. This is not a laboratory test.
