The journey of Coir Vital Grow®: from coconut husk to premium potting mix

Coir-based composts and growing mediums are revolutionising the gardening industry, offering a sustainable, high-performance alternative to traditional peat-based options. But have you ever wondered how coir is made?

At CoirProducts® by Salike®, our signature Coir Vital Grow® undergoes a meticulous refining process, ensuring unmatched quality and consistency. Derived from the humble coconut husk, every step of the process is designed to bring premium, sustainable gardening solutions to UK homes and gardens. 

Let’s take a closer look at this incredible transformation!

Step 1: A versatile resource

Coir is crafted from the husk of the coconut. Coconuts are one of the world’s most versatile crops, grown extensively in tropical countries like Sri Lanka, India, and the Philippines.

At CoirProducts by Salike®, we work with smallholder farmers and cottage industries in Sri Lanka, ensuring that every coconut we source: 

• is grown using sustainable farming methods, protecting local biodiversity
• comes from ethically managed plantations, supporting local communities
• is harvested with care, ensuring long-term sustainability.

Step 2: Harvesting the coconut husk

Coconuts are harvested by hand, with experienced farmers using traditional tools to cut them from the tree.

The outer husk (which surrounds the coconut shell) was once considered waste—but today, it’s the key ingredient in high-quality coir-based growing media. Which also means since there is a commercial value, the product is no longer a waste product. 

The husks are carefully removed and transported to our processing factories, where the transformation begins.

Unlike peat, coir is a renewable resource, with coconut trees producing new husks every 45–90 days. 

Step 3: Extracting the coir fiber and producing Coir Vital Grow® potting mix 

Once harvested, the long and short fibres of the coconut husk are separated. The long fibres are used to produce a variety of household and other products like brushes, ropes, and doormats. In early days, the short fibres were often discarded and considered a waste product. 

However, over time, this fine, spongy dust-like short fibres (also known as coir pith) came to be transformed into the various coir-based products we know today. 

The coir pith is then washed, buffered, and dried to remove excess salts and impurities, ensuring optimal pH balance and clean growing media.

Why processing matters: Some low-quality coir products contain high salt levels or inconsistencies in texture, which can impact plant health. At Coir Products by Salike®, we ensure our Coir Vital Grow® undergoes premium refinement for consistent, high-performing results.

Step 4: Drying, screening and compressing 

The washed coir pith is then sun-dried naturally, preserving its nutrient-rich properties.

Once dried, it’s:

• Screened and sieved to remove dust and impurities
• Compressed into compact bricks, bales, or loose bags for easy transport
• Quality-tested to meet the highest industry standards

Offering customers an innovative range that’s suitable for various gardening applications, our Coir Vital Grow® is available in discs, bricks, blocks, bags, and jumbo bags. 

Step 5: Ready for your garden

Now, the final product is shipped to gardening enthusiasts, professional growers, and garden centers across the UK, helping create thriving, healthy plants without harming the planet.

Using Coir Vital Grow is easy:

• Hydrate the brick with water and watch it expand
• Fluff and stir the mix until you achieve the desired texture 
• You are now ready to plant – add directly to the ground or to your coir pot, use for seed starting, potting, or soil conditioning. 

Pro tip: Blend it with organic fertilisers or compost for a complete, nutrient-rich mix!

Why choose coir over peat? The environmental impact 

By choosing Coir Vital Grow, you’re making an impact far beyond your garden.

Did you know? With the UK government set to ban peat-based gardening products in the future, there is no better time than now to switch to sustainable alternatives. 

Our promise to you 

At Coir Products by Salike®, we don’t just sell coir—we are proud to be among the leaders pioneering the future of peat-free gardening. 

Why choose us: 

• Uncompromising quality – every batch is carefully processed and tested for consistency
• Sustainable and ethical – sourced from cottage industries, supporting local livelihoods. We have our own ground teams to monitor all the processes to ensure ethical practices are followed
• Proven performance – trusted by home gardeners and professionals alike

Home to UK’s largest coir portfolio, our mission is to make sustainable gardening accessible for all, ensuring you never have to compromise on quality while making an eco-friendly choice. With decades in the industry and our community at the heart of what we do, we continue to bring products that are trusted and have positive impacts on people and the planet. 

Switch to Coir Vital Grow today!

Ready to grow greener? Join the peat-free revolution and experience the difference with CoirProducts Coir Vital Grow® !

Shop now: CoirProducts.co.uk

Every purchase supports sustainability, ethical farming, and a better future for gardening.