In 2026, the UK will implement a full ban on peat in horticultural production, a landmark move aimed at curbing carbon emissions and protecting fragile ecosystems.
For garden centres and growers, this is more than a regulatory shift; it’s a seismic change in how plants are grown, sourced, and sold.
While many UK growers have made commendable strides toward peat-free production, concerns are mounting over European suppliers who appear to be lagging behind. With spring 2027 looming, the industry faces a critical question: Will the supply chain be ready, or will garden centres face a plant shortage?
What the Peat Ban Means
Peat has long been valued in horticulture for its excellent water retention and nutrient properties, making it a go-to growing medium for decades. However, its extraction contributes significantly to carbon emissions and leads to the destruction of vital natural habitats.
In response to these environmental concerns, the UK government has committed to phasing out peat use in horticulture by 2026. This legislation will have wide-reaching implications across the industry. UK growers must adapt their production methods to incorporate alternative substrates, while European suppliers, who export millions of plants to the UK, face pressure to comply or risk losing market access.
Garden centres are caught in the middle, navigating sourcing challenges and shifting consumer expectations.
Meanwhile, consumers may experience the impact through higher prices or reduced plant variety, making education and transparency more important than ever.
The State of Readiness
UK growers are leading the charge. Many have already transitioned to peat-free substrates, investing in R&D and trialing new mixes. However, reports suggest that up to 4 million plants could be missing from spring 2027 stock due to non-compliance among European suppliers.
Hillier Nurseries is committed to being a peat-free grower, in line with the company’s Net Zero ambitions to remove peat from the supply chain. Legislation will drive this in the future and Hillier wanted to be ahead of the curve.
So what about the challenges for UK growers? Charles Carr, Head of Wholesale Nurseries at Hillier says it’s all a challenge: “We are still learning and I think will be for some time. It’s a very different way of growing and it has taken a lot of development work to get a mix that works with the right water and air holding properties to grow an equivalent plant.
“The nursery was designed and developed to grow plants in peat, all our training and knowledge has been growing in peat for the last 70 years so we had to rethink how we grow.”
Challenges in Going Peat-Free
The shift away from peat presents a complex set of challenges for the horticultural industry. Technically, peat-free growing media can impact plant health, slow growth rates, and reduce shelf life, making it harder for growers to maintain consistent quality.
Financially, alternatives such as coir, bark, and wood fibre often come at a higher cost, adding pressure to production budgets. Compounding these issues is a general lack of consumer awareness, many shoppers remain unaware of peat’s environmental impact or the benefits of peat-free gardening. This puts the onus on retailers to bridge the knowledge gap, using clear labelling, in-store education, and marketing to ensure customers support the transition at the checkout.
Dan Durston, Sales Director at Durstons says: “For a long time, peat-free meant second best. We’ve completely flipped that perception. Our Advanced Compost consistently outperforms not only other peat-free mixes but even top-tier professional peat-based products in independent growing trials. That’s a huge breakthrough as it means gardeners can choose peat-free and achieve faster growth, stronger roots and more vibrant blooms.
“The difference lies in what’s inside the bag. Our exclusive Gro Fibre and Gro Boost ingredients work in harmony to deliver superior growing results. Gro Fibre ensures the perfect balance of structure, aeration and moisture control, while Gro Boost provides natural nutrition and beneficial microbes to feed the soil. It’s this science-led formulation that makes our compost perform beyond expectations.
“On cost, we’ve made sure there’s something for everyone. Our Everyday range offers excellent value and performance for high-volume sales, while our Advanced range provides professional-grade results for customers who want the best. We’ve built a brand and a product that prove peat-free isn’t just an ethical choice, it’s also a performance choice.”
Innovation & Solutions
Innovation is driving change. Garden centres are also adapting, using clearer labelling and marketing to promote peat-free products.
Dan says: “Retailers are ready for peat-free, they just need products they can believe in. When we launched our updated offering at Glee 2025, the reaction was electric. Buyers immediately understood what we’re about. They told us, ‘this is what the market’s been waiting for.’”
And peat-free can be high performance too. Dan adds: “the most exciting development is our new professional-grade peat-free range. We’ve spent years refining these mixes, not to mimic peat, but to outperform it. Independent trials have shown growth improvements of up to 150% compared to standard alternatives.”
Policy & Industry Support
Support is growing, but gaps remain. Trade bodies like the HTA, GCA, and RHS offer guidance and lobbying power. DEFRA has launched training programmes and funding schemes, but uptake varies.
But Hillier has a more critical point of view on the policies. Charles says: “Moving to peat free media has been challenging. The government route to legislation has been unclear and ever changing, and this really doesn’t help anyone. As an industry we have made great progress which should be applauded. It is, however, another example of ill thought through policy that demonstrates a lack of understanding of the issue.”
Charles continues: “long term we also need to ensure a level playing field across European horticulture so the UK is not put at a disadvantage compared to our EU colleagues.
“We have been a part of the RHS Fellowship and this support has been invaluable. Having an expert like Dr Raghavendra Prasad to assist with working out what the issues are and to support with trials to overcome these are invaluable.
There is a lot of cost involved in peat free and we really need government to support us if we are to achieve their stated goals”
Risks & Consequences
If European suppliers fail to meet the peat-free requirements in time, UK garden centres could face serious disruptions during peak seasons.
Empty shelves may become a reality, especially in spring 2027 when demand is highest, leading to lost sales and disappointed customers. Beyond logistical issues, retailers risk reputational damage for falling short of sustainability commitments, particularly as consumer expectations around environmental responsibility continue to rise.
Price increases and reduced plant variety could also trigger backlash from shoppers, undermining trust and loyalty. To avoid these outcomes, the industry must act swiftly, strengthening supply chains, supporting growers, and ensuring readiness across borders.
But also, the quality of the plants could be affected. Charles explains: Once we get the right compost mix for the plant then quality is the same, some plants such as ferns are happier in peat free, other plants have been more challenging like Lavandula angustifolia. Every year the quality gets better. Growth rates are generally similar, although plants sometimes are a little more compact with a shorter internode.
“Shelf life is similar, and we have carried out destructive tests to demonstrate this. Everything of course depends on getting the irrigation correct – if plants over dry they can be difficult to rewet which will reduce shelf life quickly. I think it has taught us again that watering / irrigation is one of the most skilled jobs on a nursery – it’s not just sticking someone on the end of a hosepipe and hoping everything gets wetted up correctly.”
Barriers to peat free
According to Dan, the biggest barrier now isn’t performance, it’s perception. He says: “for decades, peat was seen as the gold standard, and changing that mindset takes time. But when gardeners try our products and see the difference, that perception shifts instantly.
“Retailers tell us that customers face walls of similar-looking bags with unclear labelling. That’s why we’ve completely rethought our packaging. The Performance Compost design hierarchy makes it simple to navigate, clear, bold and informative. It shows exactly what’s inside the bag and the results it delivers.
“Price can still be a factor too, which is why we’ve structured the range to meet different needs. Our Everyday composts deliver great value with no compromise on quality, while our Advanced products give professionals and enthusiasts the very best in peat-free performance.
“Ultimately, we’re removing every barrier we can. Peat-free isn’t the future anymore, it’s now. And with our ‘Performance Compost’ proposition, we’ve created a brand and a product that not only meets consumer expectations but exceeds them, helping drive loyalty and growth right across the category.”
Looking Ahead
A fully peat-free industry offers more than compliance, it’s a chance to lead on sustainability. Brands can differentiate themselves, engage eco-conscious consumers, and build resilience into their supply chains.
The peat ban is coming. The question is whether the industry will meet it with readiness or resistance. With collaboration, innovation, and urgency, the UK can set a global example—and ensure garden centres bloom in spring 2027.
