Coir is the fibrous stalk and pithy detritus that makes up the outer layer of a ripe coconut . Most of us do n’t see this part because it ’s removed before the fruits make it in grocery stores , but it is wide available – as a soilless turn spiritualist .
Per theCambridge Dictionary , the correct orthoepy is “ overmodest - er , ” but folks generally call it “ core . ”
Most come from India and Sri Lanka , where the coconut palm , Cocos nucifera , grow bountifully .
Husks, fibers, and rope are part of an age-old manufacturing process.
We link to vendors to aid you find relevant product . If you grease one’s palms from one of our connexion , we may earn a commission .
Let ’s find out how it ’s processed , what products we can grease one’s palms , and the pro and cons of using it in our horticulture .
What You’ll Learn
A Coco Industry
An Array of Options
What ’s Not to Love ?
Husks, fibers, and rope are part of an age-old manufacturing process.
Drawing Conclusions
Since ancient days , the sturdiest coconut fiber have been used to fashion articles like field goal , mats , ropes , and bedding .
The stay small fibers and pithy detritus were once throw away , but today are used to make a innkeeper of horticultural product including loose peat , seed starter saucer , dried brick , mulch chip , planter lining , molded potty , and climbing poles .
product have names like “ coco peat , ” “ coco Saratoga chip , ” and “ coco poles . ”
caliber varies due to the differ processing method , duration of pre - production storage , and human being handling the husks undergo before reach the marketplace .
Here ’s the gist of the manufacturing process :
yield may be pluck good or unripe , after which it is remove from the chaff and sent off to mart .
Meanwhile , the husks undergo a process squall “ retting , ” in which they are soaked in either overbold or salt water . After that , the long , first - quality fibers are extracted , and the remaining small fibers and pith are collected and allowed to partially moulder .
When these remainders strive a suitably friable consistency , the best nitty-gritty goes into make coco peat , the lesser debris and pocket-size fibers are compressed into disc and brick , and the largest chunks become mulch .
Reputable manufacturers often treat their products to inhibit weeds , pests , and disease . They also buffer it to counteract potassium and sodium , elements that may inhibit the uptake of all important magnesium and calcium . And , some go so far as to impart micronutrient such as atomic number 29 and iron .
Garden centers are well - stocked with coco mathematical product like these :
Coco Peat
This is the frame most people stand for when they say “ coir . ”
It ’s a squishy , soilless growing medium that may be tot to soil or potting sensitive to increase moisture holding , drainage , and aeration , much like peat moss , perlite , or vermiculite .
In accession , coco peat supports potent radical outgrowth and is often used to start seeds and grow hydroponically .
Garden Coir by Burpee isavailable in 8 - quart bag directly from Burpee .
Organic Garden Coir
It contains 100 % coconut coir in a crumbly form like peat , and holds up to 150 % of its weight in water system .
Seed Starter Discs
Coco peat is bundle into discs for employment as a seed starting medium .
Netted Coir Pellets
This soilless medium stomach healthy ascendent emergence while keep back moisture , draining well , and providing skilful air circulation . scratch seed indoorsor out , and come in directly into the flat coat when seedling are quick .
lacy Coir Pellets are available from Burpeein 36- and 42 - mm size , and various quantities of each .
These pots bear coir and pot soil . Just add your come , a niggling piss , and clap ! – they grow into 2 - inch deal .
Compressed Bricks
Small fibers and debris are bundle into intemperate brick that call for soaking before use as a soilless growing medium or soil amendment . Sizes and shapes vary from large rectangle to little disk .
Compressed Coco Coir Fiber Grow Medium
They postulate hydration . When body of water is added , they expand , absorbing or so nine times their weight unit in water .
At maximum saturation , you have a crumbly , peat - like mixture that ’s ready for containers or garden .
Mountain Valley Seed Company ’s Minute Soil Compressed Coco Coir Fiber Grow Medium isavailable from True Leaf Market .
Package and puck sizes change , but 3 of the large bricks will provide you with a sum of 4.5 gallons of potting medium .
Mulch Chips
Other merchandise are coarser in texture . Mulch scrap looked like cube husks . Use them in the garden to increase moisture retention , suppress weed ontogenesis , and offer an aesthetically pleasing appearance .
Chips are also used as financial support for the roots of tropical plantslike orchids , because they enfeeble well and allow for plentiful air circulation .
FibreDust CoCo Mulch via Amazon
Mulch chips like the single pictured above are available though eCommerce channels such as Amazon , but it ’s probably well to search your local garden heart or big - box store for a similar merchandise if you require it in large quantities .
Unless you need to replete just a few container , shipping is break down to be prohibitively expensive or the product will likely be marked up high up enough to overlay merchant marine costs .
Planter Liners
Planter lining are also on the coarse side , with a fibrous , woven texture , rather than a spongelike , peat - like one .
14 - in Round Coco Fiber Liners ( 2 Pack ) via Amazon
They come in sheets , by the roll , or pre - molded to check containers of various sizes , like window boxes and wire planters .
Another option , Gray Bunny ’s 14 - in hanging planter baskets , comes with with coco coir liners .
Gray Bunny Hanging Planter Baskets
These are better than most other offering as they are extra deep . Many of the competitors are fairly shallow and your plants can dry out quick .
These aresold in quantity of two and four on Amazon .
Molded Pots
Like peat peck , the coir variety is made of fibers that have been pressed into flower pot configuration . They are utile container for starting plant because they retain wet , drain well , and reserve air to circulate .
Envelor Coco Coir Plant Pots via Amazon
Put them directly into the ground when you ’re ready – they biodegrade .
You may also use coir pot as inserts for ceramic pots . Their pee retentivity counteracts the speedy drying out distinctive of terra cotta and other holey containers , especially during red-hot weather .
A set of three self - watering planter corporation with coconut coir fiberare useable from Amazon .
7 - column inch Self Watering Planter Pots with Coconut Coir Fiber Potting Soil
Choose between sets in white , mordant , or ice blue air . A water supply level index number in each pot allow you conveniently monitor wet .
Climbing Poles
Vines and climbers often postulate support when grow in container . Coco poles consist of string - wrapped fibers on a stick .
When placed in planter , vine pronto cling and benefit from the extra wet in their surroundings .
By now you ’re probably saying , “ Okay , so I can substitute coco peat for peat moss and coco chip for wood mulch . But why should I ? ” allow ’s find out !
The Upside of Coir
Unlike peat , it ’s a renewable resourcethat does n’t take a century to form in a peat bog .
add it to soil is an excellent fashion to increase aeration , drainage , and water retention .
ThepH is almost achromatic , range from just over 5 to just under 7 , whereas peat is slightly more acidulous . This means it ’s a big al-Qaeda for all plants .
remediate it as take , for model , byadding compost to increase acidity , orlime to increase alkalinity .
Unlike perlite and vermiculite , it ’s biodegradable .
It take a polymer shout out lignin that stamp down rotting , nominate it specially good for mulch .
right quality product contain no sess ejaculate , pests , or disease .
The Downside of Coir
Product quality varies wide , and this may affect your garden .
Inferior products may contain weeds , pest , and disease due to improper processing and storage . Some Cartesian product may contain redundant atomic number 11 due to processing in salt water , so you may require to rinse all products several clock time before role .
Improperly decomposed cloth may absorb N from fertilizer , depriving plants ofthis essential food .
Inferior products contain too much dust and decompose tight once in use . Inferior products also tend to contain materials of irregular texture . For lesson , chunky mulch ruffle in with smooth coco peat .
cocoa palm husks moderate almost zero nutrients , so unless you buy a product that has been enriched , you will have to tot up fertilizer .
House & Garden A & B Plant Nutrients for Growing in Coco Coir
Unlike soil , which teems with life , coir has a very miserable nutrient content . Astudy conducted at Utah State Universityconcluded that coco peat was an subscript reliever forsphagnum peat mossas a soilless mass medium .
The cost may outgo that of peat or vermiculite ware .
plow products may contain chemical residuum that may adversely affect plants .
product should not be reprocess because they may harbor disease .
flat product ask hydration before use .
As a soilless growing average , good lineament coir offers little worry in the agency of weeds , pests , and disease , while delivering excellent piss retention , drain , and aeration .
I care it well in containers that be given to dry out and can apply a hand with staying moist . I also feel honest not depleting peat bog by using a pronto available textile .
Why not try a product or two , and see what you remember ?
A Versatile Array
Now when you see horticultural production made of coconut stubble , you ’ll have sex how to evaluate their possible usance in your gardens and containers , as well as how to make out caliber .
allot with reputable companies , consider rinsing products several time before exercise to remove superfluous salt , and supply nutrients to your plants as needed . Consider the array of available coir products for projects such ascultivating mushroomsandraising your own worm .
If you ’re concerned in sustainable gardening practices , you may enjoy discover aboutthe art of cover cropping , and do n’t miss our review of a rule book onnative trees and shrubs for the Eastern United States .
picture by Allison Sidhu © need the Experts , LLC . ALL right RESERVED.See our TOSfor more item . Originally release April 3rd , 2019 . Last update May 12th , 2025 . Product photos via Burpee , rightful Leaf Market , Fibre Dust , Panacea Products , Gray Bunny , Clovers Garden , GardenBasix , and House & Garden . Uncredited photos : Shutterstock . With additional writing and editing by Clare Groom and Allison Sidhu .
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