When it comes to growing in pots and containers, choosing the right compost is key to keeping your plants healthy and thriving. Container plants have limited access to nutrients and water, so they need a compost that holds moisture well, provides structure, and releases nutrients steadily over time.
The Best Compost
Westland Boost All Purpose Compost is a specially blended formula designed to nurture the health and vitality of your beloved plants. Our compost is peat-free, and enriched with starter feed. This provides the essential nutrients your plants need for robust growth and vibrant blooms.
What sets Westland Boost apart? Our innovative Moisture Lock Technology revolutionises the way you care for your plants, reducing stress and promoting abundant blooms with brighter colors and glossier foliage. Thanks to water-storing granules and an added surfactant, our compost efficiently retains moisture and ensures easier rewetting, maintaining optimal plant hydration levels. Plus, with West+2 wood fibres, our compost reduces drying out, requiring less watering compared to traditional peat-reduced and peat-free composts.
Pair our compost with Boost All Purpose Liquid Plant Food, specially formulated for use with peat-based, peat-free, and ericaceous composts, to achieve four times more blooms.
Key Benefits:
- Retains and locks in water for healthier, happier plants
- Helps prevent drying out, reducing the need for frequent watering
- Easier to rewet, ensuring consistent hydration levels
- Perfect for all containers and baskets, for creating stunning floral displays
Specialist Plants
Ericaceous
If the plants in your pots or containers are acid-loving, it’s best to use Westland Ericaceous Planting & Potting Mix to help them thrive. In addition to the slow release feed, it’s specially blended with added zinc complex. This helps to naturally support plant health for an abundance of stronger, healthier acid-loving plants such as rhododendrons, azaleas and camellias.
Roses
Roses grown in pots or containers need the right compost to thrive, and Westland Rose Planting & Potting Mix is specially formulated to support healthy growth and abundant blooms. Enriched with a blend of essential nutrients and added 6 month slow-release feed, it provides the ideal environment for strong root development and vibrant flowers. The mix also contains West+®, a unique wood fibre technology, which ensures excellent drainage and aeration, key for container-grown roses.
This premium compost retains moisture effectively without becoming waterlogged, helping your roses flourish even in warmer weather. It also includes added zinc complex, which promotes resilience and overall plant health. Whether you’re planting bare-root roses or potting up established varieties, Westland’s mix gives your roses the best start and ongoing care for a stunning display.
John Innes
For younger plants or when potting on, John Innes No. 2 is a great choice. It contains a balanced mix of loam, peat (or peat-free alternatives), and nutrients to support healthy development without overwhelming young roots.
For established plants and long-term displays, John Innes No. 3 is the better option. It has a higher nutrient content, making it perfect for shrubs, small trees, and mature container plants that need sustained feeding. These composts provide excellent moisture retention and structure, helping to reduce watering frequency while keeping roots supported in busy pots or patio displays.
Our 28L No.1 and No.2 composts are enhanced with Carbon Gold biochar, designed to improve root development, water retention, and nutrient availability. This natural ingredient supports healthier plant growth by helping soil release nutrients as needed. As a sustainable addition, biochar also improves soil structure, locks in carbon, and plays a role in reducing greenhouse gases. With its CO2-negative properties, biochar offers an environmentally friendly way to nurture your garden while supporting climate-conscious gardening.
Organic Options
New Horizon Organic All Plant Compost – For an alternative, organic solution, use New Horizon all around the garden for amazing results. New Horizon Organic All Plant Compost has been championing peat free for many years. It’s 100% sustainable, rich in essential nutrients, and our West+2® formula now holds even more moisture. New Horizon nourishes plants by nature, helping all plants and nature thrive.
