Top tips for peat-free houseplant success

You may have a few houseplant failures under your belt already and worry that peat-free products will complicate things further but, fear not, because Durston Garden Products have some top tips on how to cut through the confusion and help houseplants thrive without peat…

1)    Use a growing media that’s suitable for your needs

Buying the right compost for the job is always important. It can depend on the plant you’re growing – as we all know some houseplants are fussier than others – but, generally, a good quality potting mix or dedicated Houseplant Compost will do the trick. The unique formula of our brand-new peat-free Advanced Houseplant Compost boasts the optimal nutrient profile for houseplants to thrive, plus highly effective moisture control, reducing the need to water as often. If you’re taking cuttings to expand your indoor garden, we would always recommend a specialist Seed & Cutting Compost to give young cuttings the best start possible and the right conditions they need to develop strong, healthy roots. 

2)    Make sure you break compost up properly when you use it

This helps let air in, so that the compost doesn’t stay as a hard lump from where it has been compressed in a bag to fit on a pallet. This is a really important step because houseplants hate soggy roots and clumpy soil, so you need to aerate. Wear gloves when doing this. 

3)    Don’t overwater

Overwatering is the most common killer of houseplants. You always want your plants to be on the drier side; you never want them sitting in water. So, make sure you let compost dry out in between waterings and, sometimes even look for signs of wilting before you reach for the watering can.

4)    Get to know the feel of your plants

Watering can be tricky to navigate because the surface of soil in pots dries very quickly but, at root level, where moisture is needed the most, it can still be quite damp without you realising. You can use your finger to poke down in the soil to gauge moisture levels or, if you’re still unsure, get to know the feel and weight of your potted plants. Soon it will become second nature to you to determine which plants are feeling a little too light and are probably in need of a drink and which plants are doing just fine.

5)    Feed your plants

Houseplants, just like any plants, need food to grow. Most composts include feed that can last for anything between 2 to 6 weeks. However, we’d recommend a dilute feed at every watering during spring and summer months. Feed as you water by mixing liquid fertiliser in with room temp water in your watering can. You can then reduce the frequency during autumn and winter, so that you feed plants every four weeks.

6)    Check your plant’s health

Keep a close eye on your plants and monitor any changes. A slowing down in growth, pale leaves, or fewer flowers is often a sign that they may need feeding, so it would be wise to start a regular feeding routine if you haven’t already got one in place. Keep an eye out for any diseases, so you can treat them early. Wilting or yellowing/browning of leaves, a smell coming from the soil, and shrivelling of the plant’s stem are all signs of root rot, which is usually caused by overwatering and will need to be addressed quickly.

7)    Buy what you need

Don’t bulk buy and store compost for months on end. Peat-free composts are full of organic matter and microbes, which is a real positive for your plants but it is different to peat and so is always best fresh. Instead, buy what you need, when you need it. If you do have some left over, store it in a cool, dry place to maintain its quality and effectiveness. Fortunately, Durstons Advanced Houseplant Compost is available in a handy 10-litre bag for smaller jobs, as well as 20-litre pack if you are re-potting several plants in one go.

8)    Don’t buy cheap

The adage ‘you get what you pay for’ applies here. If you buy a very cheap growing media, you’re unlikely to get the results you want. We would also always recommend looking out for the Responsible Sourcing Scheme logo on the bag.

9)    Don’t be disheartened

Believe it or not, some failure is a positive because it means you’ll learn for next time and remember it isn’t always your fault, so don’t blame yourself or become disheartened. Some plants are just more sensitive to different things than others. For example, begonias don’t like high salt, monsteras hate dust on their leaves, and poinsettias can’t stand even the slightest cold draught. Getting the foundations right, with the growing media, nutrients and ideal amount of moisture is a great start. Try and have an appreciation of the plant and where it originates, so that you can create the right environment for it to flourish. Good luck!

Durstons Houseplant Compost gives indoor plants a new lease of life

Durstons dedicated performance Houseplant Compost – the latest addition to their game-changing peat-free range – brings out the best in indoor plants, thanks to its market-leading formulation and optimal nutrient profile. Think lusher leaves, bigger blooms and less frequent watering!

As with other products in the Durstons Advanced peat-free collection, which outperformed competitor products across the board in growing trials, this brand-new launch from Durston Graden Products is set to transform indoor gardening and give your beloved houseplants a boost.

Its unique formulation, complete with 14 essential nutrients, creates the ideal conditions for houseplants to thrive, supporting healthy growth and vitality. The exceptional quality and structure of this performance compost provides great aeration for strong roots, whilst its effective moisture control means you won’t have to wield a watering can quite so often to meet your plants’ watering needs.

Perfect for re-potting or giving new houseplants the right start, Durstons Advanced Houseplant Compost is easy to use and delivers premium performance at an affordable price, so maintaining your prized indoor jungle doesn’t have to cost you an arm and a leg.

What you can expect with Durstons Houseplant Compost:

·       14 essential nutrients – easily absorbed and accessible to plants

·       Highly-effective moisture retention – reducing the need for frequent watering

·       70% bigger plants *

·       50% more blooms *

·       Premium peat-free formulation – greener growing without compromise on performance

·       Responsible packaging – made from 30% recycled plastic and can be recycled at most garden centres

Pick up a bag of Durstons Advanced Houseplant Compost today and see the Durstons difference!

Find out more

Durstons’ comprehensive peat-free offer is available to buy at local garden centres. Call 01458 442688 to find your local stockist or visit www.durstongardenproducts.co.uk for more information about the range. To request product samples, contact the Durstons PR team at Hornby George PR on 07851 610573 or email durstons@hornbygeorgepr.com.

* based on results of independent growing trials

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Editors notes

For over 150 years Durstons have been innovating, evolving and diversifying their Somerset-based business to meet the demands of their customers. Today they’re focused on paving the way for the future of compost – and the results speak for themselves with their peat free range proven to deliver up to 70% more growth than standard mixes. This performance is thanks to Durstons’ passion for a sustainable, cost-effective product for customers, alongside a ‘no compromise’ approach to quality. Durstons have invested in their operations, are committed to the best responsibly sourced ingredients, and to delivering reliable and personal service. All mixes are rigorously tested to ensure consistent, trusted performance.