Unless you’re a bona fide green thumb, you’ve likely never heard of coco coir before. Pronounced “coco coy-er,” it’s the fibrous husk that comprises the outer layer of a ripe coconut. Gardeners often incorporate this spongy material into potting mix or soil to improve moisture retention, drainage and aeration. Furthermore, since it promotes strong root growth, coco coir can also be used to start seedlings or grow plants hydroponically.
You can find coco coir in a variety of different forms, but one of the most common is a compressed brick or disc. Here, small fibers and pithy dust are compacted into a hard mass, which is then soaked in water before use. Once wet, the coco coir expands—absorbing approximately nine times its weight in water—and turns into a soft, crumbly mixture that’s ready for your garden, pots or planters.
Here, the best coco coir products on Amazon to help you get your garden into tip-top shape.
1. Plantonix Coco Coir Brick
Plantonix is a family-owned outfit from Southern Oregon that supplies high-quality coco coir products across America. This particular set includes five separate bricks that can be soaked and used as necessary. Each brick is 100 percent organic and tips the scales at 1.4 pounds. The high-grade coco coir is washed multiple times with fresh water—you’ll find no harsh chemicals here—to achieve extremely low EC levels (Electrical Conductivity, which refers to salt content). This significantly reduces the risk of salt buildup in your soil and promotes a healthier garden. On top of that, the washed raw material is carefully checked and has all dirt and larger lumps removed to ensure a superior texture.
Amazon
2. SpongEase Pro Coco Coir Brick
Every gardener, from hobbyists to pros, is looking to get the most out of their soil. SpongeEase’s coco coir makes this easy. The brand’s coconut fiber will help your plants absorb water, nutrients and water. It’ll also help them resist overwatering—one of the main reasons for plant failure—in case you’re accidentally overdoing it with the H20. Using it is a breeze, too. Soak the light-weight breeze in water, and you’ll have enough fiber for a two-gallon pot.
Amazon
3. Verdana Coco Coir Block
If you’re planning to garden at scale, Verdana’s compressed block of coco coir should be your first pick. The 10-pound slab expands to roughly 18 gallons when immersed in water. That’s the highest amount of coco coir on this list and equivalent of 3 cubic feet of peat moss (another soil filler) which weighs nearly 20 pounds more than this mix. Hence, this product will not only save you time, but it’ll also save your back. The 100 percent natural mixture also has low EC and a balanced pH to encourage root development and plant growth.
Amazon
4. Mother Earth Coco Coir Plus Perlite Potting Soil
If you’d rather not spend time rehydrating bricks of coco coir, Mother Earth has a nifty solution. This mix features 70 percent of the finest coco coir and 30 percent perlite (another organic soil amendment) and makes for a great alternative to potting soil. Together, the two core ingredients promise increased aeration and drainage, so you can go gung-ho with your watering can without fear of flooding your plants. The mixture also has a nice porous texture that’s akin to traditional soil and can be thrown straight on the garden. As an added bonus, the 13-gallon bag also comes with gloves to protect your hands while you potter about with your plants.
Amazon
