Give your plants some love this year with our list of the best compost to use in your garden, tried and tested in the UK by our gardening enthusiasts.
Brand: Growmoor
Price: £
Size: 20-80 litres
Brand: Miracle-Gro
Price: £
Size: 40-50 litres
Brand: Westland
Price: £
Size: 50 litres
Brand: Miracle-Gro
Price: £
Size: 40-50 litres
Brand: GreenBrokers
Price: £
Size: 10-80 litres
Brand: Pelle & Sol
Price: £
Size: 10-60 litres
Table of Contents
Best Compost
Best Value: Growmoor Multi-Purpose Compost
Best Peat-Free: Miracle-Gro PEAT FREE Premium All Purpose Compost
Best Quality: Westland 50L Multi-Purpose Compost
Best Multi-Purpose: Miracle-Gro Premium All Purpose Compost
Best Expanding Compost: GreenBrokers C1001 Organic All Purpose Potting Compost
Best Variety: Pelle & Sol 60L Multi-Purpose Compost Soil
📊 Comparison Chart of Best Compost For UK Gardens
Scroll right on mobile to see the whole table chart
| Product Name | Price (£) | Size (litres) |
|---|---|---|
| Growmoor Multi-Purpose Compost | £ | 20-80 |
| Miracle-Gro PEAT FREE Premium All Purpose Compost | £ | 40-50 |
| Westland 50L Multi-Purpose Compost | £ | 50 |
| Miracle-Gro Premium All Purpose Compost | £ | 40-50 |
| GreenBrokers C1001 Organic All Purpose Potting Compost | £ | 10-80 |
| Pelle & Sol 60L Multi-Purpose Compost Soil | £ | 10-60 |
⭐ Reviews – Best Compost of 2024
The Growmoor Multi-Purpose Compost is the best-value compost we’ve found. It’s the cheapest we tested for a 60-litre bag, and it’s made from high-quality peats with nutrient enrichment.
Brand: Growmoor
Price: £
Size: 20-80 litres
Best For:
Anyone looking for the most affordable compost to use for potting, adding to soils, growing plants and vegetables, and more.
What Customers Think:
When we wrote this guide, the Growmoor Multi-Purpose Compost had a 4.5-star Amazon rating from more than 7,300 customer reviews. Price is obviously the main attraction for most customers, but reviewers generally agreed that the compost comes in sturdy packaging, has a good consistency, and makes a noticeable difference to plant growth.
What We Like:
Cheaper than similar products
Multi-purpose
Enhanced with nutrients & a wetting agent
What We Don’t Like:
Not peat-free
Buying a peat-free compost is the more environmentally friendly choice, and the best peat-free compost we tried was the Miracle-Gro PEAT FREE Premium All Purpose Compost.
Brand: Miracle-Gro
Price: £
Size: 40-50 litres
Best For:
People specifically looking for the best peat-free compost that’s better for the environment while still offering the versatility of a multi-purpose compost.
What Customers Think:
This bagged compost is extremely popular with customers on Amazon – it currently has an average 4.5-star rating from more than 19,000 reviews. Customers say that the compost is “excellent quality” and “easy to spread”, although some customers said that they’d experienced a gnat infestation and warned not to use the compost on indoor plants.
What We Like:
Peat-free blend
Good value for money
Slow-release feeding up to 3 months
What We Don’t Like:
Some customers found bugs in their compost
The Westland 50L Multi-Purpose Compost is the best-quality compost we tried. It includes John Innes (which typically contains a mix of loam, peat, and sand, plus added nutrients), which we felt improved the overall texture and provided the nutrients our plants needed to grow quickly.
Brand: Westland
Price: £
Size: 50 litres
Best For:
Anyone after the highest-quality multipurpose compost that contains John Innes for added stability and consistency.
What Customers Think:
More than 5,200 customers have reviewed the Westland 50L Multi-Purpose Compost, giving it a 4.5-star rating overall. Customers called it “good-quality compost” and “simply the best”, although some weren’t impressed with the recent price increase.
What We Like:
Included John Innes for added structural and plant growth benefits
Big 50-litre bag
Doesn’t contain large twigs or uncomposted materials
What We Don’t Like:
Not peat-free
We found that the Miracle-Gro Premium All Purpose Compost was the best multipurpose compost we used for a wide range of plants in our garden, including flowers, vegetables, and shrubs.
Brand: Miracle-Gro
Price: £
Size: 40-50 litres
Best For:
Gardeners who want a single compost type for various applications.
What Customers Think:
More than 19,000 customers have reviewed the Miracle-Gro Premium All Purpose Compost on Amazon, and its overall score is pretty good at 4.5 stars out of 5. Customers called it “brilliant stuff” that’s “hard to beat nowadays”, but some had an issue with the price.
What We Like:
Two bag sizes to choose from
Versatile and can be used for most gardening situations
Releases essential nutrients over 6 months
What We Don’t Like:
Gets quite dense when wet
The GreenBrokers C1001 Organic All Purpose Potting Compost is the best expanding compost we found. This peat-free compost is sold in a small, compact 18-by-18cm cube, and expands to a volume of 10 litres when you add 3 litres of water.
Brand: GreenBrokers
Price: £
Size: 10-80 litres
Best For:
People who want a small, space-saving alternative to big, heavy bags of compost that produces the same great results when used for growing plants.
What Customers Think:
More than 8,000 Amazon customers have awarded the GreenBrokers Organic All Purpose Potting Compost a 4.4-star average rating, commenting that they liked the novelty of receiving a smaller package that could then be expanded with water. Some customers said they found it difficult to measure and handle enough water – this is more of an issue with the 40-liter pack, which requires 15 liters of water to expand.
What We Like:
Easier to transport and carry due to compact block format
Expands quickly and effectively
Peat-free
What We Don’t Like:
May be difficult to measure/handle enough water for larger packs
We think the Pelle & Sol 60L Multi-Purpose Compost Soil provides the best variety when it comes to choosing between different bag sizes, with 10, 20, 40, 50, and 60-litre bags to suit different budgets and capacity requirements. It’s great value, too – the 60-litre bag cost just over £13 at the time of our review.
Brand: Pelle & Sol
Price: £
Size: 10-60 litres
Best For:
Anyone looking for an affordable multipurpose compost who wants the opportunity to choose the exact right amount for their needs.
What Customers Think:
The Pelle & Sol 60L Multi-Purpose Compost Soil has an average 4.5-star Amazon rating from more than 2,000 customer reviews. Customers said the compost is “great quality for a great price”, commenting that their plants were “thriving”. However, some customers said they noticed bugs in their compost.
What We Like:
Multiple sizes to choose from
Good consistency
Suitable for growing most plants
What We Don’t Like:
Not peat-free
🤷♂️ How We Chose the Best Compost
There were a few criteria we considered when choosing the best compost for this guide.
First, we prioritized composts with well-balanced nutrient profiles, including essential elements such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, which are key ingredients in any good compost to foster robust plant growth.
We also took into account the composition of the compost blend. We favoured the composts with thoughtfully curated combinations of organic materials, such as peat, loam, and sand, to strike an ideal balance between water retention and drainage. We wanted our plants to receive adequate moisture without the risk of waterlogging, creating the ideal medium for root development.
Finally, we assessed the versatility of the compost, and we prioritised options that are suitable for a wide range of plants, from seedlings to more established flora, and adaptable to various gardening applications, including container gardening and indoor plant care. In our opinion, the more uses you can get out of a single compost, the better its value for money.
🧾 6 Factors To Consider When Buying Compost in 2024
When you’re shopping for compost for your garden, make sure to consider the following factors:
Nutrient Content Matters 🌱
Start by checking out the nutrient content of the compost you’re interested in. Look for a mix that contains a good balance of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium: the plant power trio. This ensures your plants get the food they need to flourish, which means greener, healthier, and faster growth.
Check the Mix Composition 🌿
Don’t stop at nutritional content – dig deeper into the compost blend. Our advice is to go for mixes with quality organic materials like peat, loam, and sand. It’s all about finding that sweet spot between holding onto water and letting it drain. Your plants will thank you for a well-aerated soil that strikes the perfect moisture balance.
Tailoring to Plant Needs 🌸
When considering the different compost options, think about your specific plants’ needs. Different varieties thrive in distinct conditions. Some plants prefer well-draining soil, while others crave moisture-retentive homes. Choose a compost type that aligns with the preferences of your garden. For instance, succulents may appreciate a mix that offers good drainage, while moisture-loving ferns typically thrive in a blend that holds onto water a bit more.
Versatility is Key 🌼
Also think about the versatility of the compost. To get the best value for your money, we recommend going for a multi-purpose blend that can be used with different plant types and various gardening setups. Whether you’re into container gardening or want to give your indoor plants some attention, a compost that plays well in different scenarios is the most convenient solution.
Embrace Eco-Friendly Options 🌍
It goes without saying that we all need to do our bit for the environment. Check out composts that are kind to the planet – ones with sustainable sourcing and production practices. Being a responsible gardener goes hand in hand with making choices that leave a gentle footprint on the earth.
Peat Vs Peat-Free Compost🌿
Let’s talk about the great peat debate. Peat extraction can harm precious ecosystems, contributing to biodiversity loss and carbon release. Opting for peat-free alternatives supports conservation efforts and minimizes your gardening carbon footprint. But some people prefer peat-based composts because peat is known for being excellent at growing plants. That’s not to say that peat-free composts are less effective, though – we had a great experience with numerous peat-free composts in our testing for this guide.
Important note: this review was last updated in July 2024. We apologise if pricing or availability has since changed for any of the products mentioned above.