News » 23.09.2025 - “Is it useful to have low-footprint substrate if the grower needs more water and fertilizer?”
At the AIPH Industry Conference on Tuesday, one panel discussed a pressing issue in horticulture: the future of growing media. Moderated by Tim Briercliffe, AIPH Secretary General, the panel brought together perspectives from across Europe on peat reduction, alternatives, and sustainability.
"When I first worked in a garden centre in the UK, the peat-free bags were just a lonely pallet in the corner," Tim recalled. "Now the debate is global. We have to balance science, sustainability, and perception."
From left to right: Tim Briercliffe, Cecilia Luetgebrune, Jennifer Pheasey and Julia Ostrowski
UK: Moving towards peat-free, but challenges remain
Jennifer Pheasey, Director of Public Affairs at the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA), explained that the UK is well along the transition.
"The sector is committed to a peat-free future," Jennifer said. "Around 25% of growers are already completely peat-free, and retailers are virtually there. For many supermarkets, it's become part of their sustainability strategy."
Still, she cautioned that progress is uneven. "Our survey shows that growers are at about 30% peat-free by volume. Alternatives are not a simple switch. They're complex, they cost 20-30% more, and they require different handling in irrigation and nutrition. Consistency of supply and quality remain big challenges."
HTA is supporting growers with workshops, technical knowledge-sharing, consumer communication, and policy advocacy. "Consumers also need to understand these products behave differently," Jennifer stressed. "It's not just about banning peat—it's about making sure businesses can succeed with alternatives."
Germany: Strategy, not legislation
Cecilia Luetgebrune, Secretary General of Growing Media Europe (GME), offered a sharp clarification: "There is no such thing as a sustainable growing medium. You can compare and say one has a lower footprint, but don't equate 'peat-free' with 'sustainable' by default."
On the German situation, Cecilia explained: "Germany has a peat reduction strategy, but it's not law. It's a declaration of intent. The good news is that it has triggered research into new materials, which we badly need, because global demand is skyrocketing. But on an EU level, there is no legislation to ban peat. In fact, in countries like Spain, where horticulture depends on it, the idea isn't even on the table."
She emphasized that demand for growing media is only rising. "We don't need less peat. We need more peat and more alternatives. As soon as it works and it's safe, we'll use it."
Ensuring sustainable alternatives through certification
Julia Ostrowski of Horticert introduced their certification system for peat substitutes. "Our aim is not to prohibit peat, but to ensure that alternatives are genuinely sustainable," Julia said. "The system looks at three pillars: sustainable cultivation and processing of raw materials, full supply chain traceability, and greenhouse gas accounting."
Developed through a four-year multi-stakeholder dialogue, Horticert has already issued 18 certificates in five countries, covering materials such as compost, bark, wood, and coco-based substrates.
"Certification can help align the sector, dispel misconceptions—for example around coco coir—and support compliance with national and EU regulation," Julia explained. "It's about promoting transparency and continuous improvement."
"Growing media is part of the solution"
Returning to the bigger picture, Cecilia argued that growing media should be celebrated, not vilified. "A plant in a fit-for-purpose growing medium is good news for the planet," she said. "It needs less water, less fertilizer, less land. If you care about climate change, you should be a fan of growing media. Our sector uses just 0.1% of Europe's peatlands, and we're the only industry restoring them. But we must keep the full value chain in mind: a low-footprint substrate is useless if the grower then needs more water and fertilizer to keep the plant alive."
Audience perspectives
During the Q&A, a former UK grower in the audience reflected on decades of debate: "Initially, we resisted change, saying more peat was burned for energy than used in horticulture. But in the end, progress was made. Setting unrealistic targets doesn't work. It's better to work with industry towards achievable reductions. Peat is a real issue—and one day we'll look back and see it was wrong to rely on it."
Another audience member noted regional differences: "The closer you get to the UK, the bigger the peat problem seems. Further away, it disappears."
Overall, the debate revealed both progress and polarization. While the UK edges closer to peat-free retail, European growers stress the need for pragmatism, research, and raw material security.
Source: www.floraldaily.com
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