Peat pellets vs seed starting soil – people are always asking me which medium I like best. I’ve got decades of experience and have put them to the test over the years.
I’ve learned a lot, and there are things that I like and dislike about both of them. I used to think the choice came down to personal preference alone, but there really is a reason to use one over the other.
So I thought it would be fun to do a side-by-side comparison with the pros and cons of soil vs pellets, and also give you advice for how to choose which one you should use for starting your seeds.
Seed Starting Peat Pellets vs Soil
If you’re new to growing seeds, then you might not know the difference between these two mediums. Here’s a basic overview of what they are:
- Peat pellets – Also called pods, discs, or pucks, these pellets are most commonly made out of peat moss, but you can find them in other materials. They are compressed flat and expand when you add water.
- Seed starting soil – Despite the name, this is a soilless mix that is lightweight and designed for starting seeds. It’s also commonly made from peat moss, but contains other ingredients, like perlite and vermiculite.
Peat Pellets Pros & Cons
When I decided to try using peat pellets several years ago, the first thing that jumped out at me was the cost. They’re definitely more expensive than just buying a bag of soil.
But what I love the most about them is the convenience and how easy they are to use. Here’s my full list of the pros and cons:
Pros | Cons |
Fun to watch the discs expand | Not as economical |
Easy start up, just add water | Thin mesh netting on the outside doesn’t break down |
You only need trays, and not the cells | The pellets dry out faster |
Less mess | Need to buy a bigger size for larger seeds |
Faster to use | Nowhere to stick a plant marker, so they’re harder to label |
Reduces risk of transplant shock | It’s easy to lose track of what’s planted in each one |
Related Post: How To Make Newspaper Seed Starting Pots
Seed Starting Mix Pros & Cons
I solely used a seedling potting soil for many years, and it was always very economical for me. It’s even cheaper when you make your own seed starting mix.
Although I don’t like that it takes longer to fill all of those tiny plastic cells, and it can get pretty messy. Here are the pros and cons:
Pros | Cons |
The plastic cells are reusable | Extra work to clean and disinfect the cells |
Cheaper to buy soil vs pellets | Messy to fill with soil |
The plastic holds moisture so soil won’t dry as fast | More time consuming |
You can add a plant tag to individual cells | Can be difficult to remove individual seedlings |
Easier to keep track of groupings of seeds | Risk of transplant shock is higher |
Which One Should You Use?
When it comes to choosing between peat pellets vs soil, I’ve learned that the one that you should use depends on the type of seeds you’re planting. Here’s how to figure it out:
- When to use peat pellets – You should use plantable pellets for seeds that hate to be transplanted. Examples are root crops (carrots, radish, beets, onions, kohlrabi, etc), squash (including pumpkin, zucchini, gourds, etc), melons, cucumber, beans, spinach, and peas.
- When to use soil – You can use soil for pretty much any other type of seed. For example: peppers, tomatoes, eggplant, broccoli, cauliflower, okra, most flowers, herbs, chard, cabbage, tomatillos, kale, and brussels sprouts.
Now that you know why and when it’s best to use peat pellets vs soil, seed starting will become easier for you. Try both and see which one you like the best.
Do you struggle to grow seeds, or have tried in the past but it was an epic failure? Then you should sign up for my online Seed Starting Course. This comprehensive online course will teach you everything you need to know, so you can skip the painful trial-and-error. Register and get started today!
Otherwise, if you just need a quick refresher, my Starting Seeds Indoors eBook would be perfect for you. It’s a quick-start guide that will help you get started indoors.
More About Starting Seeds
- Seed Starting Supplies & Equipment
- How To Disinfect Seed Trays And Flats Before Starting Seeds Indoors
- Tips For Growing Seeds Indoors For Beginners
- Lighting For Seedlings: When To Put Seedlings Under Light & How Much
Leave a comment below to share your experience with using peat pellets vs. seed starting soil, and which method you prefer.
Rosemary Ogilvie says
Agree 100% with your assessment, having tried both methods this year. There’s a lot of waste associated with the pellets, primarily the mesh encasing them.
Greg says
When the plant is ready to move to the ground or a larger pot, should you remove the fabric liner of the peat pod?
Thanks!
Amy Andrychowicz says
I peel the mesh liner off of the peat pellets because it doesn’t break down very quickly in the garden, but you could leave it on if you want.
Kristen says
I haven’t bought pellets yet. Can the mesh be removed before placing the seed? I plan on sticking the pellet into a cell starter.
Amy Andrychowicz says
Sure, you could remove the mesh from the seed pellets any time you want after they have expanded. It’s just there to hold them together. However, if you’re planning to put them into the plastic cell trays, then there’s no need to buy the pellets. You can just use seed starting soil instead, which is usually cheaper than buying the pellets.
Neil says
Yes easy to remove
Hilary Richrod says
Like the peat pellets very much, and are able to get them for 10 cents each locally (and luckily) – very much. I did make a fun discovery this year – using toilet paper tubes AND peat pellets – together (but not at the same time)… for those leggy tomato starts.
Using clear salad containers (those plastic ones with the clamshell or removable lids) or such like to put the peat pots in creates the “greenhouse” effect inside, and will sprout tomatoes no problem – much less expensive that starting trays, too. So the toms quickly grow too much for the salad box to have the lid on – THEN push the peat pellet plants to the bottom inside a TP tube – they fit just perfectly! Add some soil around your start to fill it to the brim – even if you have just a bit of tomato plant sticking it, it works perfectly, it’ll root all the way up the tube. Add soil around your plant in the TP tube, and water. You can stick them all back in the clear box until you are ready to transplant out, and they all fit – if they fit in there before!
TP rolls often mold a bit on the outside but this doesn’t seem to bother the plants any. I did a second transplant from my first peat & TP tube experiment into clear plastic cups (leftover from a latte’ stand) and they rooted like mad.
I just started Saguaro cactus seeds with halved peat pellets and one of those clear egg-cartons. Inflate the peat pellets with boiling water, wait ’til they cool down, squeeze them as dry as you can with your fingers (fun for the whole family!) and cut them in half – and into the egg carton. Add your seeds – I got a germination rate of about 90%. Don’t push the pellets to the bottom of the egg carton, they’ll sit out of any extra moisture. It took only 2 days for the first Saguaro to germinate. You can leave them in there just fine for months!
Amy Andrychowicz says
Great idea about using the toilet paper rolls to support your tomato seedlings! Thanks for sharing all of your great tips for starting seeds too, how fun! 🙂