What's In Our Potting Soil?

What is in the soil mix used at Costa Farms?

What’s in our potting soil and why do we use it?

It’s primarily coco coir, a waste product of the coconut industry. Our growers have thoroughly tested a wide variety of options that, most importantly, encourage strong root growth, but also fit within our sustainability standards. Coir, basically shredded coconut fibers, works well for potted plants because the fibers absorb moisture like a sponge. This makes moisture available for plant roots. Because the small coir fibers can compact and become too dense, we also use shredded wood fibers (a byproduct of the lumber industry here in the Southeast) to increase aeration, ensuring plant roots can breathe. Coir is also a sterile medium, so it doesn’t carry disease.

When compared to peat moss which is harvested from bogs where it has developed over millions of years coco coir is a wholly sustainable and renewable resource. When peat is harvested a large amount of carbon is released into the atmosphere. Peat moss takes 25 years to renew after a harvest whereas the coco palm fruits regularly and without scaring the Earth. The coconuts and wood fiber we use is local and sustainably sourced.

Read more about how coconut coir beats peat moss in sustainability.

Coir is a good choice for most tropical plants unless you tend to be an over-waterer. Coir holds moisture more effectively than peat/traditional soil mixes, so those who water sparingly or check soil moisture levels before watering will find success. Coir doesn’t hold nutrients well so you will need to fertilize.