Coconut Coir; Clever or Controversial?
We’ve previously talked about peat moss and the impact that peat harvesting is having on the environment, but is coconut coir bad too? The long and the short answer to that is no. Coconut coir is actually a very good potting medium component, especially when used to replace peat moss. As plant hobbyists it is our duty to try and help sustain our world so that plants and ecosystems in the wild thrive and aren’t depleted. So, let us get into the pros, and few cons, of using coconut coir.
What is Coconut Coir and How is it Harvested?
Coconut coir is basically all of the fiber between the outside layer of the coconut and the shell. This material is actually the biproduct of the coconut industry and was thought of as trash. This means that not only is it renewable, since more coconut trees can be planted and coconuts are drupes, which is a fruit that has a hard stone-like covering that encloses a seed, but it is viewed as sustainable, unlike peat moss.
The coir is manufactured by soaking the coconut husks in water for weeks, a process that is called retting and used to take months. Next this fiber is removed from the shells by steel combs, which is called defibering. After it goes through this process it can then be made into any of the three types of coir that you see on the market.
The Three Types of Coconut Coir
Most people probably don’t know that there is more than one type of product that we call coconut coir. All three have benefits and can be mixed together to create a potting mix, or as components of potting mixes.
Coco Chips: These are coir that is in chunks. Since it is in this larger form, it can retain water like the other types, but it can also allow the potting mix to have some air, which is good for root health.
Coco Fiber: This is exactly what is sounds like, stringy fibers. You see this in hanging pot liners, but it can be added to a potting medium to help increase the amount of air that the roots receive. These fibers are not very absorbent and will break down in time, none of which is bad.
Coco Pith: This is what you see that is called “coco peat” because it is similar looking and acting to peat moss. It is the same deep brown color and it retains water very well, which is why you shouldn’t use it by itself, otherwise you run the risk of causing root rot. You can find this sold as dried and compressed bricks or bags.
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cocopeat-peat2.jpg
Pros of Using Coco Coir
It can hold a lot of water in most forms, up to 10x its weight in water, but it can also be used to aerate soil.
It is renewable and is repurposed waste.
Neutral pH.
Breaks down slowly over time, which can help aerate the soil.
Fairly cheap and easy to find.
Can be reused.
Environmentally friendly - one coconut tree alone can produce up to 150 coconuts a year.
You can use the three types to make the potting mix as loose and aerated as you want.
Cons of Using Coco Coir
Can have a high salt content, so you may wish to rinse your coir before use.
Some are chemically treated to prevent pathogens from growing inside, so make sure to read labels.
It can hold back calcium, iron, and magnesium, so you may want to use fertilizers that boost the level of those three.
It is devoid of nutrients, but you should be fertilizing your plants anyway, so that isn’t that big of a downside. There are even fertilizers that are specifically created to be used in coco coir potting mixes.
While coco coir has some faults, it has way more positives, especially since it is a renewable source. Like previously stated, it is our duty to take care of our world. We want to continue to have various environments and continue to have potting mediums for our plants, and one way to do this is to use coco coir instead of stuff like peat moss. If you would like to talk to us about other sustainable sources, share pictures of your plants, ask for plant tips and tricks, or personalized advice, come find us on Mesh or on Facebook to connect with other plant lovers from around the world!