Peat Ban: Is UK Horticulture Ready For The Implications and Challenges Ahead?

The introduction of a full ban on peat in 2026 marks a disruptive yet important shift towards sustainability but varying readiness across domestic and international supply chains as well as the feasibility of peat alternatives remains a question for the horticulture industry. 

Growers, garden centres, and European suppliers must transition to peat-free growing media to comply with the regulation. 

Technical, financial, and perceptual barriers persist, however, with peat having been the most commonly used substrate in horticulture seedling production for decades. 

Nonetheless, the industry is innovating and adapting rapidly in an effort to turn compliance into a strategic advantage. But is the sector truly ready?

Industry Readiness & Risks

So far, UK growers are ahead in adopting alternatives. Many UK nurseries, such as Hillier Nurseries, have transitioned to peat-free substrates despite the steep technical learning curve following decades of peat-based cultivation.

However, European suppliers are reportedly lagging behind in compliance, leading to concerns that spring 2027 stock levels for UK garden centres could be short by up to 4 million plants. 

European suppliers face pressure to meet the new peat-free standards or risk losing access to the UK market, while leaving UK garden centres facing severe disruptions during peak periods. 

Multi-Layered Challenges

Designed to curb carbon emissions and support ecosystem protection, the phase out of peat use in horticultural production will transform how plants are grown, sourced, and sold. 

As such, the shift to peat-free presents various acknowledged challenges.

Technical – At present, alternative materials do not match the full functionality of peat. Peat-free media can affect plant health, growth rates, and shelf life, requiring extensive trial and error to optimise performance in order to ensure consistent quality.

Although committed to its Net Zero ambitions, Hillier Nurseries accepts that the company will be learning “for some time” after decades of growing in peat. 

“It’s a very different way of growing and it has taken a lot of development work to get a mix that works with the right water and air holding properties to grow an equivalent plant,” explained Charles Carr, Head of Wholesale Nurseries at Hillier. 

“The nursery was designed and developed to grow plants in peat, all our training and knowledge has been growing in peat for the last 70 years so we had to rethink how we grow.”

A 100% replacement of peat for press-pots used in seedling production has not yet been found, according to a research paper by Sradnick et al. To date, the researchers said only mixes of peat and alternatives exist. 

Indeed, while there are biomass-based substitutes, such as wood fibre, rice hulls, and Miscanthus, among others, the researchers of a German study note that these are not yet sufficiently developed or economically competitive to fully supplant peat.

The overall consensus is that full substitution of peat at scale, across crops and growing media types, is not yet feasible.

Supply chain / Scale – Materials may exist in laboratories or in small scale, but not in sufficient volumes or consistent quality for commercial availability. 

Economic – Peat alternatives like coir, bark, and wood fibre are often costlier, sometimes significantly, increasing production expenses for growers.

Crop-specific – Some crops or parts of the growing chain remain especially difficult for growers to dispense with peat. Some plant qualities and shelf-life remain contingent on finding the right compost mix and proper irrigation, which is now seen as a more skilled role in nurseries.

Market – Growers/retailers/nurseries may resist change until alternatives offer equal or better performance. 

Consumer – The public remains largely unaware of peat’s environmental impact, shifting responsibility for education and transparency onto retailers. Shoppers could also react negatively to any price rises and reduced variety.

Innovation & Support

Innovation is gradually helping to overcome perception as one of the greatest challenges. Brands like Durstons are promoting performance-driven peat-free composts that rival or exceed traditional peat-based options in independent trials. 

Clearer labelling and marketing efforts are underway also to improve consumer understanding and to support the transition. 

In terms of industry support, trade bodies including HTA, GCA, and RHS are  providing guidance and lobbying. DEFRA training programmes and funding schemes exist too but their uptake is reported to be uneven.

Indeed, government policy and support have been criticised as unclear and inconsistent, with industry representatives calling for a level playing field across Europe to ensure UK competitiveness. 

Despite the implications and challenges, the UK's upcoming full ban on peat in horticultural production offers the chance for UK brands and retailers to lead in sustainability, differentiate themselves, and build resilient supply chains. 

Source: Garden Centre Retail