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One of the more unexpected developments in the peat-free movement is the return of sphagnum moss—not in its wild form, but as a cultivated crop. Julia Casperd, a landscape ecologist and peatland conservation specialist, has spent years studying the fragile ecosystems mosses help create. She describes sphagnum as “the living engine of peat formation” and believes its sustainable cultivation could help horticulture move away from peat.
Understanding Peatlands: A Hidden Powerhouse
Peatlands, often dismissed as soggy wastelands, are among the most important ecosystems on Earth. Despite covering just three per cent of the planet’s surface, they store more carbon than all the world’s forests combined. “They’re the largest terrestrial carbon sink we have,” Julia says. “And they support entire communities of plants and animals found nowhere else.”
Peat forms slowly—about 1mm per year under ideal conditions. Harvesting it destroys habitat and releases stored carbon, accelerating climate change. “We’ve already lost a huge percentage of them,” Julia warns. “And once degraded, it’s incredibly hard to restore.
Sphagnum moss is highly absorbent, capable of holding up to 20 times its weight in water. It also filters and retains moisture—properties that make it valuable in sustainable growing media.
Producers are now cultivating sphagnum moss in controlled environments, such as greenhouses. After harvest, it’s dried, milled, and blended into peat-free composts. The result is a medium that behaves like peat—without the environmental cost.
Using sphagnum moss—traditionally a key part of peat formation—as a peat alternative may seem ironic. Julia sees it differently. “It’s a good thing if it’s grown sustainably,” she says. “The key is cultivating it outside functioning peatlands. We can’t harvest from wild bogs. But if you grow it in a greenhouse or rewetted field, you’re not taking from nature. It could even raise awareness of peatland conservation.”
Some projects in Europe are trialling “paludiculture”—wetland farming of crops like sphagnum on rewetted peat extraction sites or drained farmland. This approach yields renewable growing media while restoring water retention and carbon storage functions.
For growers, switching to peat-free doesn’t require compromising performance—just rethinking production methods.
Scientific research into paludiculture at Harper Adams University College.
Julia stresses the need to manage natural systems at scale. “We can’t keep treating habitats like isolated pockets,” she says. “When we talk about water purification, flood prevention, or biodiversity—those benefits are all connected.”
Healthy peatlands slow the flow of water, reduce flood risk downstream, purify drinking supplies, and support species adapted to acidic, nutrient-poor environments. “If you degrade the peatland, those services collapse,” she warns. “And then you’re paying more for flood defences, water treatment, and biodiversity restoration.”
Julia says the industry must shift from substitution to accountability. Growers should ask:
As governments begin legislating against peat—such as the UK’s planned retail ban—these questions will become essential for compliance, not just ethics. Early adopters will be better positioned for this transition and will be more appealing to increasingly eco-conscious buyers.
Peat isn’t the villain—but how we’ve used it is. Its historic convenience came at an environmental cost. Now, innovation, education, and sustainable alternatives like cultivated sphagnum moss allow the industry to improve.
More than just a growing medium, peat is a story of climate, ecology, and responsibility. And for those willing to rethink their practices, there’s a future that goes far beyond the bog.
This article was first published in the May 2025 issue of FloraCulture International.
