Peat-Free and British Grown Peat-Free Houseplants
As Britain’s largest garden group, Blue Diamond is committed to developing the best practice in environmental sustainability, as well as responding to growing eco-conscious customer demand. In addition to the existing range of peat and soil-free houseplants, the company is proud to be launching a new range of British houseplants, which are grown in a variety of tried and tested peat-free mediums. Over the next year, this range will expand to over 200,000 British houseplants, on sale throughout Blue Diamond's 44 garden centres, representing a significant shift away from the current, predominantly Dutch-based supply.
Peat-free houseplants
The importance of peat-free
For decades, peat-based potting composts have been used to raise and grow-on plants. Blue Diamond share the concerns about how the use of peat contributes to the damage done to the environment and the need to conserve rare peatlands. We are very aware that we are part of a greener, cleaner future.
Peat-free houseplants
Blue Diamond has made significant progress in developing peat-free and alternative soil free products. The range already includes peat-free houseplants and houseplants grown using air, hydroponics and aqua. New this year, the British grown peat-free houseplant range which uses alternative materials such as coir and green waste as a growing medium.
British grown peat-free houseplants
The Horti House
Blue Diamond is leading the way on this initiative through its collaboration with The Horti House, part of Double H nurseries. The Horti House has formed a collective with other respected British growers who share the commitment to peat-free cultivation. Its founding partners are Double H nurseries and Bury Lane, two family businesses with a rich heritage of growing and sourcing plants. Rather than competing against each other for a share of the UK retail market, these nurseries are working in harmony, and with other growers, through the Horti House to complement each other’s strengths and produce a larger range of plants with more depth. Blue Diamond has been keen to support this innovative approach, showcasing the best of British growers and their environmental credentials.
Double H
Double H, a renowned grower in Hampshire, with over 60 years of growing experience has made the transition to peat free across all its production. Double H specialising in British orchids, green plants and indoor flowering plants.
Bury Lane
Bury Lane, a family run business growing thousands of foliage peat-free houseplants in Hertfordshire such as ficus, calathea and monstera varieties.
Grown in novel peat-free materials
The new houseplant range, selected by Blue Diamond, has been grown in a variety of peat-free compost, including recycled coir as well as more novel waste materials. Bury Lane plants, for example, have been grown in a special recycled medium created from green waste from cut flowers (such as lily and peony) and soft fruit production. The material is shredded and then steamed to create a perfect growing media with good water retention and ideal texture. New point of sale and care instructions have been developed to help tell the peat-free story and facilitate a greater understanding of its importance.
Look out for the green Union Jack symbol (seen below), which denotes that the plant is grown in the UK, using peat-free compost.
We are delighted to be supporting this initiative to help meet our responsibilities as a retailer in eradicating the use of peat. The recycled growing media has produced fantastic plants which we are excited to now stock in our centres. We will be keen to continue to work with our UK growers to ultimately develop peat free production propagation material and provide a 100% peat-free range.
Nick Jones, Head of Product Direction
Nurtured with the latest in green technology
Blue Diamond is committed to embracing sustainable best practice. The move towards British-grown plants significantly reduces transportation and its corresponding carbon footprint. Furthermore, the new range of houseplants demonstrates the potential for green technology using the latest developments in biomass heating, solar energy and recycled rainwater as part of the growing process.
The new British grown houseplant range will be rolled out across the Blue Diamond Garden centres in February 2024. Plants includes favourites such as phalaenopsis orchids, calathea, dracaena and monstera, in addition to seasonal products, in 12 and 17cm pots.
Caring for peat-free plants
Peat-free composts usually look and feel very similar to peat-based composts. However, the watering and feeding requirements may differ, so always read and follow any advice on the packaging.
See our Houseplant Care Guide.