Coco Peat (also called coir pith or coir dust) is the finely ground, spongy byproduct of processing coconut husks. It’s soft and lightweight with excellent water-holding capacity, making it a popular soil amendment and growing medium.
 
Uses for Plants:
Coco peat is great at retaining moisture while still providing good aeration to roots. It improves soil structure by increasing water retention in sandy soils and enhancing drainage in heavy soils. Because it’s rich in natural fibers, it encourages healthy root growth and helps prevent soil compaction.
 
Uses for Orchids:
Although finer than coco chips or coir chunks, coco peat can be mixed with larger chunks or bark to create orchid potting mixes. It helps maintain moisture around the roots without suffocating them and adds organic matter that breaks down slowly, improving the potting mix over time.
 
Uses for Terrariums:
In terrariums, coco peat is often used as a moisture-retentive substrate or mixed into soil layers to help keep humidity high. Its spongy texture absorbs and holds water well, making it ideal for tropical or rainforest-style terrariums. When properly maintained, coco peat also resists mold and compaction, providing a healthy environment for plants and small animals.