Even if you’re someone who only has a passing interest in horticulture, the likelihood is that you will have heard of peat moss. It’s a material that has been used in garden soil for decades, due to the many nurturing characteristics it offers to healthy plant growth.
Something that’s not so well known is the relatively new alternative - the sphagnum moss:
Sphagnum moss is a plant that grows on the surface of soil or a swamp. It thrives in New Zealand and other wet climates. It is carefully harvested to ensure regeneration of bogs, a cycle which typically takes 5-6 years.
Peat moss, on the other hand, is the layer of decaying, water-saturated sphagnum moss that has sunk below the surface. It is the basis of swamp land, forming over thousands of years.
Although peat moss can be found in potting soils in nearly every gardening center in the world, harvesting peat moss is not a sustainable practice. It takes thousands of years for peat moss to develop, and harvesting it requires digging up bogs, which destroys the potential for regeneration of the swamp.
What Is Sphagnum Moss Used For?
You can use Sphagnum moss as a lining in a garden rather than a soil amendment. It retains water well and has a green, gray, and brown color that makes it a favored choice for hanging baskets or the topping of large pots. You can buy it in both long (natural fibers) or milled (chopped).
There are some instances in which you can use sphagnum moss as planting material in and of itself. Orchids are often planted in solely sphagnum moss, and it is also used as a seed starting medium. However, it is sold in smaller bags and is more expensive than peat moss, so it is more of a specialty tool rather than something in every gardener’s toolkit.
What is Peat Moss Used For?
Peat moss’s principal benefits are its water retention property, improvement in soil texture, and its ability to help keep nutrients from leaching out of the surrounding earth.
Peat moss is added to the soil to make it better for gardening. Because of its low pH, it is an excellent choice for acid-loving plants. When used with plants that are not fond of an acidic environment, it is typically balanced with a more basic substance like lime.
Why Should Gardeners Care About the Difference Between Peat Moss and Sphagnum Moss?
The fact that sphagnum moss comes from the living plant and peat moss comes from the dead part does not imply they may have the same impact on your plant.
For instance, sphagnum moss has a neutral pH level, while sphagnum peat moss is acidic. Because their features and abilities differ, it is essential that gardeners do not get these similarly named products confused.
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