Sustainability in the nursery: what we really do, what we don’t do, and why we don’t promise the impossible
'Sustainable' is a word brands have worn out — you find it everywhere, often without knowing what’s behind it. The plant world is no exception. Some nurseries use it as a slogan, others as marketing without verification, and still others avoid it because truly sustainable nursery production is more complicated than it seems. I chose to write this article because you, who buy our plants, deserve to know how things really stand: what we do, what we don’t do, which problems we’re trying to solve, and which ones we still can’t solve. I won’t promise that we’re perfect. I promise that this is the most accurate picture I can give you. If you prefer slogans, this isn’t for you. If you prefer the truth, read on.
Peat: the hidden problem in almost every nursery (and what we’re doing about it)
Peat is still the most widely used growing medium in nurseries because of its water retention and sterility, but extracting it destroys ancient ecosystems. Alternatives (coir, perlite, bark) cover many applications, but not all: some specific plants still have no equivalent substitutes.
For decades, peat has been the black gold of the nursery trade. It is organic material extracted from peat bogs in Northern Europe (Ireland, Estonia, Latvia, Germany). If you’ve ever bought a bag of potting soil, chances are it was mostly peat. Why do we love it? Because it’s lightweight, holds water like a sponge, has an easily adjustable pH, and is sterile, meaning it doesn’t bring fungi or diseases that could affect young roots.
However, the environmental cost is extremely high. Peatlands take thousands of years to form but are extracted in just a few decades. This process releases enormous quantities of CO2 accumulated over millennia and destroys unique habitats. In the United Kingdom, a ban on selling peat for amateur use is planned, and the EU is following the same trend with restrictions. In our in-house lab, we've started asking ourselves how to change course without compromising the health of our plants.
PEAT-REDUCED SUBSTRATE MIXING
Procedure for reducing the ecological footprint of potting soil
- Coconut Fiber Integration — Replacing 30% of the peat with washed coconut fiber, a renewable resource every 3-5 years.
- Mineral Structure — Adding pumice and perlite to improve aeration and reduce the amount of organic matter needed.
- Organic Soil Amendment — Using pine bark and mature compost to stimulate soil microflora without using virgin peat.
Timeline: Gradual transition with each growing cycle.
Warnings: Don't eliminate peat entirely for acid-loving plants without constantly monitoring the pH.
What we're doing: We currently use mixes with a reduced percentage of peat. We're experimenting with completely peat-free substrates for succulents and herbs, which respond well to mineral components such as pumice and lava rock.
What we haven't done yet: We haven't eliminated peat entirely. For orchids, ferns, and azaleas, current alternatives still don't guarantee the plant will survive the stress of shipping. We'd rather be honest: we're looking for a solution, but we haven't found one yet for every single species.
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Plastic pots: why we use them (and what happens next)
Plastic pots are the standard in nurseries because they are lightweight, unbreakable, and waterproof, reducing transport-related CO2 emissions. True sustainability means using recycled plastic (PP) and disposing of pots through the proper circular economy channels after use.
The uncomfortable fact is that almost every plant you receive at home comes in a plastic pot. Why don’t we use terracotta for everything? The answer is logistical and environmental: terracotta is much heavier (drastically increasing courier emissions), fragile, and porous (which would cause the roots to dry out during transit). Plastic, although derived from petroleum, is an incredibly effective material for protecting the plant.
What we do: We use black or beige polypropylene (PP) pots, often made from post-consumer recycled plastic. We participate in agricultural recycling consortia that collect used plastic from our nurseries and transform it into new containers.
What we don’t do yet: We don’t ship everything in biodegradable pots. Plant-fiber pots are great for planting directly in the ground, but for tropical plants that love consistent moisture, they tend to break down before the package even arrives. Also, we haven’t completely eliminated the plastic protective film wrapped around more delicate leaves, which is needed to prevent mechanical damage.
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Water: the consumption no one talks about
A sustainable nursery reduces its water footprint through drip irrigation and rainwater harvesting, significantly cutting waste. Smart water management is essential for maintaining plant health without depleting local aquifers.
A nursery consumes a lot of water. That’s a fact: plants are living organisms. However, there is a huge difference between overhead watering (sprinkler irrigation), where much of the water evaporates before reaching the ground, and using targeted systems. At our third-generation business, we’ve learned that water is our most precious resource.
What we do: We have implemented drip irrigation for most of our outdoor crops. This system delivers water directly to the base of the plant, greatly reducing evaporation. We also use pine bark mulch in our larger pots to keep the growing medium moist for longer.
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Shipping: The Plant E-Commerce Paradox
Shipping plants online can have a lower carbon footprint than buying in person if volumes are optimized and recycled cardboard packaging is used. Consolidated logistics and lighter packaging resolve the paradox.
Buying a plant online means a courier has to bring it to you. Buying the same plant in a store means you have to pick it up by car. LCA (Life Cycle Assessment) studies show that e-commerce, when managed with consolidated deliveries, can be more efficient than a trip by an individual consumer. But it's not all sunshine and roses.
What we do: We design our packaging to be as compact as possible. Less empty space in a package means more packages in the same van, reducing the number of trips needed. We use recycled cardboard and have eliminated polystyrene from our boxes, replacing it with cardboard inserts that hold the pot in place.
What we don't do (yet): We don't offer a "carbon neutral" delivery service. Many of these programs rely on offset credits (planting trees elsewhere) rather than actually reducing emissions. We'd rather focus on optimizing our internal processes before adding labels that could be perceived as marketing.
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What We DON'T Do (The Honest List)
Radical transparency means admitting our limitations: we are not zero-impact, and we don't use only renewable energy. Recognizing these areas is the first step toward real, measurable improvement.
This is the section marketing consultants usually suggest deleting. We keep it, because trust is built on truth, not omissions.
- Energy: Some of the energy needed to heat the greenhouses in winter still comes from the mixed national electricity grid. We're evaluating the installation of solar panels, but it's not yet a 100% reality.
- Plant protection: We practice integrated pest management and minimize the use of plant protection products.
- Supply chain: Although we grow many varieties, we work with other Italian and European nurseries for some specific species. We can't guarantee LCA traceability for every single external supplier with the same precision we apply to our own production.
- Offsetting: We don't buy carbon credits. We believe the priority is to reduce our impact here, in our own company, rather than pay to pollute and then "clear our conscience" elsewhere.
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What our plant customers can do: 5 practical things at home
A plant's sustainability doesn't end when it leaves the nursery; it continues on your balcony or in your living room. Small everyday actions can drastically reduce the environmental impact of your urban jungle.
- Reuse nursery pots: Don't throw away black PP pots. They're perfect for future repotting, rooting cuttings, or giving a plant to a friend. If you have too many, bring them back when you visit us or dispose of them properly in the plastic recycling bin.
- Water mindfully: Most houseplants die from overwatering. Use the "finger test": stick a finger 2-3 cm into the soil. If it's damp, don't water. You'll save water and protect the plant from root rot.
- Recycle potting soil: If a plant dies (it happens to the best of us), don't throw the potting soil in the trash. If you have a garden or a home compost bin, use it as a soil amendment. It's valuable organic matter.
- Choose durable pots: For repotting into a permanent pot, choose natural, durable materials such as white clay or Made in Italy ceramics. They last for decades and allow roots to breathe better.
- Buy local: Choosing plants grown in Italy means reducing the distance they travel. When you buy from I Giardini di Giulia, you support a short supply chain that values the work of Italian nursery growers.
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Frequently asked questions
What does it mean for a nursery to be truly sustainable?
A sustainable nursery is a facility that adopts measurable practices to reduce its environmental impact. These include reducing peat in growing media, using recycled plastic, improving water efficiency through drip irrigation, and being transparent about production limits. It doesn’t mean being perfect, but constantly improving.
Why don’t you only use biodegradable pots?
Biodegradable pots are excellent for vegetable garden or outdoor plants that are planted directly in the ground. For indoor or tropical plants, which need consistent moisture and spend a long time in their pots, these containers tend to break down prematurely or encourage mold, making transport and plant health risky.
Is peat banned in Italy?
There is currently no total ban in Italy, but European legislation is shifting. Countries such as the United Kingdom have already set deadlines for banning peat. We’re getting ahead of the curve by gradually reducing its use in favor of renewable materials such as coconut fiber and bark.
Can I recycle the plastic pots from the plants I buy?
Absolutely. Most of our pots are made of polypropylene (PP 05), a widely recyclable plastic. We recommend rinsing off any soil residue and putting them in the plastic recycling bin according to your local municipality’s guidelines, or reusing them for seeds at home.
What can I use instead of peat to repot my plants?
For repotting at home, you can look for “Peat-Free” potting mixes, meaning they contain no peat. These usually contain coconut fiber, wood fiber, mature green compost, or shredded bark. Adding pumice or volcanic rock also helps improve drainage without increasing the organic content of the growing medium.
Truly sustainable nursery growing is a process, not a state. No nursery in the world has zero impact — if someone tells you otherwise, they’re not telling the truth. What I can tell you is that every year we try to do a little less harm and a little more to regenerate. It’s slow work, often invisible, and sometimes frustrating. But it’s how we do things — not the only way, not the best way, but one you can trust. If this is the transparency you were looking for, welcome.
If you’d like to write to us with questions, criticisms, or suggestions about our environmental practices, email us at: info@igiardinidigiulia.live. We read everything, and every bit of feedback helps us improve.
Explore our collection of indoor plants and Made in Italy ceramic pots from Le Officine dei Giardini di Giulia — our short supply chain production line celebrating Italian craftsmanship.
