How to choose peat-free compost
Updated: October 2026
You are standing beside a row of bags, or scrolling amazon.co.uk, and several products appear under the same search even though only some clearly say they contain no peat. Choose peat-free compost that states the claim plainly and names the job. Our [peat-free soil comparison](/hub/fertiliser-soil-and-bark-mulch/peat-free-soil) shows the products and listing details. This page explains how to separate a title claim from a buried phrase, and how to judge whether the feed window and pack size suit your pots before you buy.
You are standing beside a row of bags, or scrolling amazon.co.uk, and several products appear under the same search even though only some clearly say they contain no peat.
You are standing beside a row of bags, or scrolling amazon.co.uk, and several products appear under the same search even though only some clearly say they contain no peat. Choose peat-free compost that states the claim plainly and names the job. Our peat-free soil comparison shows the products and listing details. This page explains how to separate a title claim from a buried phrase, and how to judge whether the feed window and pack size suit your pots before you buy.
Our top picks
| Badge | Product | Peat-free claim | Stated job | Added feed | Note | Price | Offer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best overall |  Focus Houseplant Focus peat-free 8 L, pack of 2 | Yes, on the title | Indoor repotting | Up to 2 months | 9.2 | about £17.98 | View offer |
 Miracle-Gro Miracle-Gro peat-free all purpose 20 L | Yes, on the title | Beds, pots and baskets | Up to 3 months | 9.0 | about £7.95 | View offer | |
| Best value |  Levington Levington peat-free multipurpose 40 L | Yes, on the title | Beds, pots and tubs | 8 weeks | 8.8 | about £9.99 | View offer |
On this page
What peat-free means on a UK bag
Peat-free means the growing medium is presented as containing no peat. Look for those words in the product title and on the bag, rather than assuming every result in a peat-free search qualifies. A phrase buried in a materials bullet is weaker evidence. A review that mentions coco peat is not a statement from the manufacturer.
Marketplace categories also mix fibrous compost with mineral substrates. Lechuza PON and Basicpon are peat-free granules, but they are not a fill for a basket or border. Watering, weight, feeding and price per litre change with that job, so compare products only inside the same group. Organic wording, a John Innes-style name and a peat-reduced recipe are not substitutes for a clear peat-free title.
Wood fibre, coir and green compost
Most peat-free potting compost blends materials because none behaves exactly like peat. Wood fibre opens the structure and can improve air space. The Horticultural Trades Association notes that some forms can lock up nitrogen, so the printed feed claim matters more than an extra dose you add yourself.
Coir, from coconut husk, can hold water while keeping useful structure, but it needs washing to remove salts. The word coir does not tell you that was done. Green compost adds recycled organic matter and nutrients, yet it is normally only part of the mix, often below 20%, and it can be relatively alkaline. PAS 100 may apply to a composted ingredient. It does not certify that the whole bag is peat-free.
For a shortlist by outdoor container, see the best peat-free compost options.
Four checks before you add it to the basket
First, the claim should sit in the title or on the front of the bag, and the images should match. If a 60-litre bag appears only because a bullet contains the phrase, treat the status as uncertain.
Second, match the medium to the job. Multipurpose compost suits established plants in outdoor pots, baskets and many beds. Small seed wants a finer, lower-feed mix. Acid-loving plants need an ericaceous formulation. Indoor plants may suit a houseplant compost or a mineral substrate.
Third, read the feed window on that listing. Levington 40 litres states eight weeks. Miracle-Gro 20 litres states up to three months. That tells you when the included charge is expected to end, not which bag will grow every plant better.
Fourth, compare usable litres only between products doing the same job. A 40-litre bag is the better buy only if you need the volume and can use it while it is fresh. A dense six-litre mineral substrate is not a substitute. Once the bag is home, judge moisture below the surface. The sequence is in how to use peat-free compost.
What these listings can and cannot do
For ordinary outdoor containers, the clearest labelled options are Miracle-Gro peat-free all purpose, 20 litres at £7.95, and Levington peat-free multipurpose, 40 litres at £9.99. The first is the smaller pack, with feed stated for up to three months. The second is about £0.25 per litre, with feed stated for eight weeks. Prices change, so recheck the listing before you order.
Baboo's 60-litre products mention peat-free only in a bullet, not in the title. DIVCHI does not make a brand peat-free statement. One reviewer calls it coco peat, and that is not equivalent. There is no dedicated seed compost or ericaceous bag among these listings. If you are sowing small seed, use the criteria in peat-free compost for seeds.
Common questions
Is peat-reduced compost the same as peat-free?
No. Peat-reduced compost can still contain peat, while peat-free is a claim that the medium contains none. Check the current bag and title for the exact wording. Do not assume that an environmental badge, an organic description or a marketplace category changes a peat-reduced product into a peat-free one.
Should I choose wood fibre, coir or green compost?
Choose a complete mix for your intended job rather than one ingredient in isolation. Wood fibre can aid structure, coir can retain water, and green compost can contribute nutrients, but formulation and processing determine how they work together. The feed window and usage instructions are more actionable than a long ingredients list.
Does PAS 100 prove a compost is peat-free?
No. PAS 100 is a specification relevant to composted materials; it is not a peat-free certificate for an entire bag. Similarly, an A–E Responsible Sourcing Scheme grade describes sourcing performance, not whether a product contains peat. You still need explicit peat-free wording.
How long does feed in multipurpose compost last?
There is no universal period. In these listings, Levington states eight weeks and Miracle-Gro states up to three months. Follow the particular bag rather than applying a generic number. Plant type, weather, watering and container size can also affect when later feeding is appropriate.
Can I still buy compost containing peat in the UK?
Yes. The UK Government announced an intended ban, but the deadline passed without the legislation taking effect. A January 2026 correction said legislation would be introduced when parliamentary time allowed. Therefore you cannot assume every retail compost is peat-free; read the label.
Is John Innes compost peat-free?
Not automatically. John Innes describes a formulation tradition rather than guaranteeing a peat-free recipe, and traditional versions included peat. Some manufacturers now sell peat-free John Innes-style products, but the specific bag must state that claim clearly.
Related pages
Sources
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.
- Defra, sale of horticultural peat to be banned (retrieved October 2026)
- Peat Free Partnership, legislation timeline (retrieved October 2026)
- Deposited letter DEP2026-0072, 29 January 2026 (retrieved October 2026)
- RHS, peat-free compost choices (retrieved October 2026)
- RHS, ten peat-free tips (retrieved October 2026)
- RHS, peat-free irrigation (retrieved October 2026)
- Public Health Scotland, gardening safely (retrieved October 2026)
- WRAP, growing media specification (retrieved October 2026)