GrowShop editorial guide
Coco, perlite, and other soilless growing media
Growing media support roots and balance water and air. The best choice depends on the plant, irrigation method, water quality, and reuse plan.
Published: Updated:
Comparison criteria
Price or the word ‘natural’ alone is not enough to choose a medium.
- Water retention and drainage balance
- Root-zone aeration
- pH and salt content
- Breakdown and service life
- Sterilisation or reuse options
- Weight and ease of transport
Typical properties of common media
| Medium | Typical strength | What to watch |
|---|---|---|
| Coco | Balanced retention and aeration | Rinsing, buffering, and salt content |
| Perlite | Light weight and drainage | Dust, floating, and low retention |
| Expanded clay | Durability and reuse | Cleaning and initial cost |
| Rockwool | Consistent structure and water control | Post-use waste and pH preparation |
| Peat mixes | High water retention | Compaction, drainage, and sourcing sustainability |
Before buying
Check particle size, pH/EC information, pre-treatment needs, and whether the product is described as suitable for food crops. Mixes without manufacturer documentation may have unknown composition and salt load.
Sources
Technical explanations on this page are independent summaries based on the institutional sources below.
Editorial method
GrowShop does not recommend a particular product or store. Content is reviewed for source freshness, technical consistency, and direct usefulness.
Report a correction or removal request