Coco Soil or Coco Coir Substrate for Sale

Coco Coir: Peat-Free Growing Medium with High Aeration and Full Control

Coco coir (also known as coco substrate, coco coir, or cocopeat) is made from the fibrous outer layer and the pith of the coconut husk – a by-product of the coconut industry. Unlike many peat-based soils, it offers a very airy, structurally stable texture with good water availability. This makes it easier for plants to develop a strong root system and has made coco a popular medium for container growing, propagation, and many hydroponic systems.

Important to know: Pure coco coir is generally low in nutrients. Plants are therefore almost always supplied via the nutrient solution or fertilization – this makes cultivation highly controllable, but also places higher demands on irrigation and nutrient management.

Advantages of Coco Coir

• Optimal water–air ratio: plenty of oxygen in the root zone combined with good water availability.
• Fast re-wetting: after drying out, coco usually absorbs water again quickly.
• Structurally stable: due to its high fiber and lignin content, coco breaks down relatively slowly and can be reused multiple times (depending on crop and hygiene).
• Versatile: suitable as a pure substrate, in mixes (e.g. with perlite for increased drainage), or as an alternative to rockwool in compatible systems.

Which Coco Structure Is Right? Cocopeat, Fibers, and Chips

The term coco coir covers different fractions that vary significantly: cocopeat / coco pith (fine) has excellent water-holding capacity, coco fibers add air and structure, while coco chips make the substrate very open and free-draining. Many coco mixes combine these components to tailor water retention and aeration to specific applications.

pH, EC, and Buffering: What Really Matters

Coco products can differ greatly depending on origin and processing. Untreated material may contain elevated salt levels (especially sodium and chloride) as well as high potassium content. This affects the EC value and can inhibit the uptake of calcium and magnesium. High-quality coco coir is therefore washed (low initial EC) and buffered (exchange sites are deliberately saturated with calcium), making the medium more stable and ready to use right away.

Many manufacturers aim for a pH range of approx. 5.5–6.8 and a low initial EC in washed and buffered coco. Additional quality indicators include independent certifications such as the RHP quality mark, which defines and monitors requirements for cleanliness, stability, and pH and EC values.

Coco Coir: A Precise Medium (and Therefore a Bit More Demanding)

Because coco coir provides very few nutrients on its own, regular fertilization from the very beginning is recommended. In practice, growers often use a nutrient solution with every irrigation. Equally important is monitoring pH and EC (in the irrigation water/nutrient solution and, if necessary, in the runoff) to detect under- or over-fertilization early.

To prevent salt buildup in the root zone, a moderate runoff (e.g. 10–20%) is recommended in many drain-to-waste setups. In recirculating systems, adjustments are instead made via nutrient solution management, filtration, and monitoring. In general, coco should not be allowed to dry out completely, as extreme dry/wet cycles can stress the roots.

Sustainability: Peat-Free – but Not Automatically “Impact-Free”

Coco coir is peat-free and can help reduce the use of peat – an important factor, as peat extraction and use cause significant greenhouse gas emissions. At the same time, the environmental impact of coco depends heavily on transport distances and processing methods (washing water, wastewater treatment). Those who want to buy sustainably should therefore look for transparent manufacturer information, low initial EC values (washed products), and responsible production processes.

Coco Mix or Coco Block

At Growmart, we carry coco substrates from renowned manufacturers such as CANNA, BioBizz, and UGro.

CANNA Coco Professional Plus, for example, is thoroughly washed, fully buffered, and supplied with the RHP quality seal, making it ready to use immediately.

BioBizz Coco·Mix is a light, airy coco substrate that can be used, among other things, as a rockwool alternative in hydroponic applications or to loosen up soil mixes.

UGro coco bricks are compactly pressed to save space and quickly expand into ready-to-use coco substrate once the appropriate amount of water is added. Depending on the variant, pH and EC values are already adjusted for cultivation; some products are also enriched with beneficial microorganisms (e.g. endomycorrhiza).