By the end of 2025, all plants sold will be sold peat-free
• Peatlands are among the world’s most valuable ecosystems, but they are among the UK’s most threatened habitats
• Kew Gardens and Wakehurst have used peat-free growing media in the Gardens for over 25 years
The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew is pleased to announce a crucial step in its sustainability journey and commitment to become climate positive by 2030: by the end of 2025, all plants sold across RBG Kew’s retail outlets will be potted and sold in peat-free compost. This transition places Kew at the forefront of change, alongside organisations such as the Royal Horticultural Society in driving the nationwide shift away from a reliance on peat.
The horticultural sector is undergoing a significant transformation as momentum to stop peat use, once considered an indispensable growing medium, has grown. Peatlands are among the world’s most valuable ecosystems: they provide an important habitat for wildlife, regulate water flows and act as important carbon sinks (). Despite this, the UK’s peatlands are critically degraded. Although there are almost five million acres of peatland across the country, only around 6,000 hectares remain in pristine or near-natural condition, placing them among the UK’s most threatened habitats. The process of peat extraction for commercial use also releases vast quantities of stored carbon into the atmosphere, further contributing to the tandem climate and biodiversity crises.
Posted On: 18/12/2025
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