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. Even in the plant world. Some nurseries use it as a slogan, others as marketing content without verification, and others avoid it because truly sustainable nursery growing 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 are trying to solve, and which we still can’t solve. I don’t promise we are perfect. I promise this is the most accurate picture I can give you. If you prefer slogans, this is not your read. If you prefer the truth, then read on.
In brief (for those in a hurry)
- What is a sustainable nursery — It is a facility that concretely reduces the use of peat, virgin plastic, and water waste, honestly acknowledging the technical limits and trade-offs of large-scale production.
- The peat problem — Peat extraction destroys millennial ecosystems; we reduce its percentage in substrates by using alternatives like coconut fiber, pumice, and pine bark.
- Plastic management — We use recycled plastic (PP) pots to ensure transport safety, promoting proper recycling and recovery programs for used containers.
- Water efficiency — We implement drip irrigation systems and moisture sensors to reduce water waste by 30-50%, constantly monitoring the real needs of the plants.
- Radical transparency — We are not carbon neutral: we admit to using mixed grid energy and the difficulty of completely eliminating plastic from protective packaging for shipments.
Peat: the hidden problem of almost all nurseries (and what we do about it)
Peat is still the most used substrate in nurseries for water retention and sterility, but its extraction destroys millennial ecosystems. Alternatives (coconut fiber, perlite, bark) cover many cases but not all: some specific plants still do not have equivalent substitutes.
For decades, peat has been the black gold of nurseries. It is organic material extracted from peat bogs in Northern Europe (Ireland, Estonia, Latvia, Germany). If you have ever bought a bag of potting soil, it likely contained 95% peat. Why do we love it? Because it is light, retains water like a sponge, has an easily adjustable pH, and is sterile, meaning it does not carry fungi or diseases to young roots.
However, the environmental cost is very high. Peat bogs form over thousands of years but are extracted in just a few decades. This process releases huge amounts of CO2 accumulated over millennia and destroys unique habitats. In the UK, the ban on peat for amateur use will take effect by 2027, and the EU is following the same path of restrictions. In our internal lab, we have started questioning how to change course without compromising the health of our 500 varieties.
PEAT-REDUCED SUBSTRATE MIXING
Procedure to reduce the ecological footprint of growing soil
- Coconut Fiber Integration — Replacement of 30% of peat with washed coconut fiber, a renewable resource every 3-5 years.
- Mineral Structuring — Addition of pumice and perlite to improve aeration and reduce the volume of organic matter needed.
- Organic Amendment — Use of pine bark and mature compost to stimulate soil microflora without resorting to virgin peat.
Timing: Gradual transition for each cultivation cycle.
Warnings: Do not eliminate peat 100% for acid-loving plants without constant pH monitoring.
What we do: We currently use mixes with a reduced percentage of peat [to be verified with the brand: about 40% less than the market standard]. We are experimenting with completely peat-free substrates for succulents and aromatic plants, which respond well to mineral components like pumice and lapillus.
What we don’t do yet: We haven’t completely eliminated peat. For orchids, ferns, and azaleas, current alternatives still don’t guarantee plant survival during shipping stress. We prefer to be honest: we are looking for a solution, but haven’t found it yet for every single species.
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Plastic pots: why we use them (and what happens afterward)
Plastic pots are the nursery standard because they are lightweight, unbreakable, and waterproof, reducing transport CO2. Real sustainability comes from using recycled plastic (PP) and properly disposing of it in circular economy systems after use.
The inconvenient 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 weighs ten times more (drastically increasing courier emissions), is fragile, and breathable (which would dry out the roots during the 2-3 day trip). Plastic, although a petroleum derivative, is an incredibly efficient 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 [to verify with brand: mention specific consortium if present] that collect used plastic from our nurseries to transform it into new containers.
What we don’t do yet: We don’t ship everything in biodegradable pots. Those made of plant fiber are great for direct transplanting into the soil, but for tropical plants that love constant humidity, they tend to break down before the package even arrives. Also, we haven’t completely eliminated the protective plastic film that wraps the most delicate leaves, which is necessary 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, cutting waste by 30-50%. Smart water management is essential to keep plants healthy without depleting local aquifers.
A nursery consumes a lot of water. It’s a fact: plants are living organisms. However, there is a huge difference between watering by sprinkling, where half the water evaporates before reaching the soil, and using targeted systems. In our third-generation nursery, we have learned that water is the 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, reducing evaporation by 50%. We also use pine bark mulch in larger pots to retain substrate moisture longer. [To verify with brand: if present, rainwater recovery system from greenhouse roofs].
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Shipping: the paradox of plant e-commerce
Shipping plants online has a carbon footprint that can be lower than physical purchase if volumes are optimized and recycled cardboard packaging is used. The paradox is resolved with aggregated logistics and reducing packaging weight.
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, if managed with aggregated deliveries, can be more efficient than a single consumer’s trip. But not all that glitters is gold.
What we do: We design our packaging to be as compact as possible. Less empty space in the 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 secure the pot.
What we do NOT do (yet): We do not have a certified "carbon neutral" delivery service. Many of these programs rely on offset credits (planting trees elsewhere) rather than actual emission reductions. We prefer to focus on optimizing our internal processes before applying labels that might be perceived as marketing.
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What we DO NOT do (the honest list)
Radical transparency requires admitting your limits: we are not carbon neutral, we do not use only renewable energy, and we do not have full organic certifications. Recognizing these areas is the first step toward real and measurable improvement.
This is the section that marketing consultants usually suggest deleting. We keep it because trust is built on truth, not omissions.
- Energy: Part of the energy needed to heat the greenhouses in winter still comes from the mixed national electricity grid. We are considering implementing photovoltaic panels, but it is not yet a 100% reality.
- Certifications: We are not a certified organic nursery. We practice integrated pest management and minimize the use of pesticides, but certification involves costs and bureaucracy that, for now, we prefer to invest in plant quality.
- Supply Chain: Although we cultivate over 500 varieties, for some specific species we collaborate with other Italian and European nurseries. We cannot guarantee the LCA traceability of every single external supplier with the same precision we apply to our internal production.
- Offsetting: We don’t buy carbon credits. We believe the priority is to reduce impact here, in our nursery, rather than pay to pollute and then "clean our conscience" elsewhere.
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What plant buyers can do: 5 practical actions at home
A plant’s sustainability doesn’t end when it leaves the nursery but continues on your balcony or in your living room. Small daily actions can drastically reduce the environmental impact of your urban jungle.
- Reuse pots: Don’t throw away black PP pots. They’re perfect for your future repottings, rooting cuttings, or gifting a plant to a friend. If you have too many, bring them back when you visit us or dispose of them properly in plastic recycling.
- Water mindfully: Most houseplants die from overwatering. Use the "finger test": insert a finger 2-3 cm into the soil. If it’s moist, don’t water. You’ll save water and prevent root rot.
- Recycle the soil: If a plant dies (it happens even to the best), don’t throw the soil in the dry waste. If you have a garden or home compost, use it as an amendment. It’s valuable organic matter.
- Choose durable pots: For the final repotting, prefer natural and long-lasting materials like white clay or handcrafted ceramics. They last for decades and allow roots to breathe better.
- Buy local: Choosing plants grown in Italy means reducing travel distance. When you buy from I Giardini di Giulia, you support a short supply chain that values the work of Italian nurseries.
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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. This includes reducing peat in substrates, using recycled plastic, water efficiency through drip irrigation, and transparency about production limits. It doesn’t mean being perfect, but being in constant improvement.
Why don’t you use only biodegradable pots?
Biodegradable pots are excellent for garden or outdoor plants that are planted immediately. For indoor or tropical plants, which require constant humidity and long periods in the pot, these containers tend to decompose prematurely or promote mold, making transport and plant health risky.
Is peat banned in Italy?
Currently, there is no total ban in Italy, but European legislative awareness is changing. Countries like the United Kingdom have already set deadlines for banning peat. We are ahead of the curve by progressively reducing its use in favor of renewable materials like coconut fiber and bark.
Can I recycle the plastic pots of the plants I buy?
Absolutely yes. Most of our pots are made of polypropylene (PP 05), a widely recyclable plastic material. We recommend rinsing them of soil residues and disposing of them in the plastic bin according to your municipality’s rules, or reusing them for your home seed sowing.
What is the alternative to peat for repotting my plants?
For your home repotting, you can look for "Peat-Free" certified soils. These usually contain coconut fiber, wood fiber, mature green compost, or shredded bark. Adding pumice or volcanic lapilli also helps improve drainage without increasing the organic content of the substrate.
Truly sustainable nursery growing is a process, not a state. No nursery in the world is zero impact — if someone tells you otherwise, they are not telling the truth. What I can tell you is that every year we try to do something less harmful and something more regenerative. It’s slow work, often invisible, sometimes frustrating. But it’s how we want to be a nursery — not the only one, not the best, but one you can trust. If this is the transparency you were looking for, welcome.
If you want to write to us with questions, criticisms, or suggestions about our environmental management, contact us at: info@igiardinidigiulia.liveWe read everything and every feedback helps us improve.
Explore our collection of indoor plants and handcrafted ceramic pots from Le Officine dei Giardini di Giulia — our short supply chain production line celebrating Italian craftsmanship.
