Sphagnum compared: Chile, France, China

Three Mosses, Three Worlds

Chilean, French and Chinese sphagnum all belong to the Sphagnum genus, but their growing conditions, properties and uses differ significantly.

Chilean Sphagnum

Chilean sphagnum (Sphagnum magellanicum) grows in the vast peatlands of Patagonia, in a sub-Antarctic oceanic climate. Originally from New Zealand, it colonised South America via wind and ocean currents.

Its long fibers, blonde to light beige in colour, offer superior structure. Harvested under Decree No. 25 (good harvesting practices), it is dried to 96% dry matter, optimising the volume-to-weight ratio.

French Sphagnum

French sphagnum comes mainly from peatlands in the Massif Central, Brittany and the Landes. Dominant species are Sphagnum palustre, S. papillosum and S. capillifolium. It is harvested in protected areas where volumes are limited.

Its fibers are generally shorter and darker. It is often sold fresh (living) or slightly dried, making it heavier and less concentrated per kilogram.

Chinese Sphagnum

Chinese sphagnum is not a single species. Chinese species are numerous and most often mixed at harvest.

The most common are Sphagnum palustre, Sphagnum fimbriatum and Sphagnum squarrosum.

Comparison Table

Criterion	Chilean sphagnum	European sphagnum (France / Jura / Nordic countries)	Chinese sphagnum
Espèce principale	S. magellanicum	S. palustre, S. papillosum	S. palustre, S. fimbriatum, S. squarrosum (mélange)
Origine géographique	Patagonie, Sud du Chili	Massif Central, Bretagne, Landes, Jura, pays nordiques	Guizhou (≈80% de la production nationale), Yunnan — plus de 2 000 m d'altitude
Longueur des fibres	Longues (8-16 cm) — 85% > 8 mm	Courtes à moyennes (2-5 cm)	Courtes, fibres fragiles
Couleur	Blonde / Beige clair	Brun foncé à verdâtre	—
Matière sèche	96%	40-70%	—
Matière organique	99%	85-95%	—
pH	5.0	4.0 - 5.5	Élevé et variable
Conductivité électrique	0.72 mS/m (très faible)	Variable (0.5 - 2.0 mS/m)	Élevée — accumulation de sels
Rétention d'eau (volume)	51%	30-45%	—
Rétention d'eau (masse)	2380%	800-1500%	—
Rétention d'air	67%	40-55%	Faible une fois tassée
Porosité	93%	70-85%	—
Densité apparente	22 kg/m³ (ultra-légère)	50-120 kg/m³	—
Volume / kg	80 litres	20-40 litres	—
Absorption (x poids sec)	20x	10-15x	—
Contaminants	Zéro matière non-compostable	Variable	Débris fréquents — décomposition rapide (9-12 mois)
Métaux lourds	Tous < Classe A (NCh 2880)	Variable selon site	—
Agriculture biologique	CE 834/2007	Selon fournisseur	Non documentée
Norme substrat	NF U 44-551	Variable	Non documentée
Réglementation récolte	Décret N°25 — Plan de récolte SAG	Zones Natura 2000 (limitée)	Culture en rizière d'altitude, récolte annuelle
Disponibilité	Toute l'année, volumes importants	Limitée, saisonnière	Volumes importants, entrée de gamme
Formats disponibles	50g à 5kg (6 formats)	Vrac, sacs petits formats	—

The 3 Grades of Chilean Sphagnum

One origin, three distinct grades. Fiber length, colour and impurity level decide what each one is used for.

5-Star Sphagnum

The most sought-after grade, recognisable by its lighter colour. Its long fibers, 8 to 16 cm, make it the recommended — and usually required — standard for orchid production.

2-Star Sphagnum

Shorter fiber and a darker colour. Used to improve substrates and as a soil conditioner: golf course construction, hanging baskets and general gardening.

Milled Moss

A byproduct of moss cleaning, used as a soil conditioner for a range of crops, with excellent results on blueberry. It improves the aeration and water retention of the soil or substrate.

Criterion	5-Star Sphagnum	2-Star Sphagnum	Milled Moss
Fiber length	8 to 16 cm	3 to 6 cm	Milled (no long fiber)
Colour	Light beige	Light gray (tinted)	Light to dark brown
Impurities	± 1%	± 1.7%	< 2%
Indicative price	€35 to €40 / kg	€20 to €25 / kg	€3 to €5 / kg

Note: prices vary widely from one grade to the next, even at identical Chilean origin. These figures are indicative, excluding freight and market variation.

Key Advantages of Chilean Sphagnum

Longer Fibers

Our long fibers measure 8 to 16 cm, offering superior structure, better aeration and slower decomposition than short fibers.

Superior Yield

1 kg yields 80 liters of substrate (vs 20-40 L for French). At 96% dry matter, you pay for the product, not water.

Record Water Retention

2,380% water retention by mass — far superior to French sphagnum. Significantly reduces watering frequency.

Ultra-Light

Density of only 22 kg/m³ — ideal for green walls, hanging baskets and any weight-critical application.

Certified Purity

Zero non-compostable material. Heavy metals well below Class A thresholds. Analysed by AGROLAB Chile.

Guaranteed Availability

Regular supply year-round, in 6 standard sizes. No seasonal shortages unlike European sources.

Strong, Long-Lasting Fibers

Its long fibers withstand mechanical stress far better than short fibers, which break down much faster. Chilean sphagnum is virtually rot-proof — decisive for green walls, where the substrate is under constant mechanical load.

Antiseptic Properties

Chilean sphagnum naturally secretes a powerful preservative polysaccharide whose antibacterial activity helps the plant resist disease and parasites. Historically used for antiseptic wound dressings, it is increasingly used today to preserve fresh produce such as fruit and fish.

Recommendations & Uses

Use	Chilean sphagnum	European sphagnum (France / Jura / Nordic countries)	Chinese sphagnum
Terrarium tropical	Excellent — fibres longues, esthétique blonde	Possible mais fibres courtes	Possible — fibres courtes
Orchidées & épiphytes	Idéal — aération et drainage optimaux	Acceptable	Usage courant en semis et jeunes plants
Plantes carnivores	Substrat de référence — conductivité très faible, pH stable	Convient, fibres plus courtes	Conductivité élevée — sels mal tolérés
Plantes acidophiles**	Idéal — pH 5,0 stable, allège et acidifie le substrat	Bien — pH acide	pH élevé et variable
Cactées, succulentes	En mélange drainant uniquement, jamais seule	Trop rétentrice, fibres tassantes	Trop rétentrice, sels
Plantes exotiques***	Excellent — aroïdées et épiphytes, aération et humidité	Acceptable	Possible — rempotage plus fréquent
Myrtilles	Très bon — moulue en amendement acidifiant	Usage local, volumes limités	Usage courant en pépinière
Mur végétal	Parfait — ultra légère (22 kg/m³)	Trop lourde	Structure trop faible
Bouturage	Excellent — milieu stérile, pH stable	Bien	Stérilisation préalable recommandée
Paillage	Très bon — décomposition lente	Usage local	Correct — décomposition rapide
Kokedama*	Idéal — fibres longues faciles à travailler	Possible	Fibres trop courtes pour la tenue
Hydroponie / aquaponie	Excellent substrat inerte, pH stable	Peu adaptée	pH et conductivité trop élevés
Pépinière professionnelle	Format 5 kg pro, approvisionnement garanti	Volumes insuffisants	Volumes importants, entrée de gamme
Performances antibactériennes dans la durée	Active durablement — fibres quasi imputrescibles (2-3 ans)	Active, s'atténue avec la dégradation des fibres courtes	Dégradée rapidement (9-12 mois)

* : plante d'intérieur élégante présentée dans une sphère de mousse naturelle.
** : érables, magnolias, skimmia, piéris/andromèdes, rhododendrons, azalées du Japon, camélias, hortensias, etc.
*** : Alocasia, Monstera, Tillandsia, Strelitzia, bananier, palmier de Kentia, Anthurium, etc.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Chilean sphagnum blonde and French sphagnum dark?

The colour depends on the species and degree of decomposition. Sphagnum magellanicum from Chile is harvested fresh and dried quickly, preserving its natural blonde hue. French sphagnum, often sold partially decomposed, takes on a darker tone.

Is Chilean sphagnum really originally from New Zealand?

Yes. Sphagnum magellanicum is a circum-sub-Antarctic species found in New Zealand, South America and certain sub-Antarctic islands. It colonised Patagonia via natural dispersal (winds and ocean currents) thousands of years ago.

Is the harvest in Chile sustainable?

Yes. Harvesting is regulated by Decree No. 25 of the Chilean Ministry of Agriculture (amended in 2019). Harvesters must: leave at least 5 cm of living moss, keep 30% of each area unharvested, obtain SAG certification (Servicio Agrícola y Ganadero), and submit a detailed harvest plan.

Can Chilean sphagnum be used in organic farming?

Yes. Our sphagnum is approved for organic farming under European regulation EU 834/2007. It also complies with the NF U 44-551 standard for growing media.

How many liters do you get from 1 kg of dry sphagnum?

1 kg of Chilean sphagnum yields approximately 80 liters of substrate. For French sphagnum, the yield is 20 to 40 liters per kilogram due to its higher water content and shorter fibers.

How do you use Chilean sphagnum?

Soak the product in water for a few minutes then use it as a substrate. 150 g of dry product is equivalent to 3 kg once moistened. Can be used pure or mixed with other substrates depending on the application.

Who is your Chilean sphagnum supplier in Europe?

L'Or Vert is a French sphagnum moss importer and distributor. We import long fiber sphagnum moss directly from Chilean Patagonia and hold stock in Paris, shipping sphagnum moss Europe-wide. We supply resellers, garden centres, growers, orchid nurseries and pet shops.

Do you sell wholesale sphagnum moss to trade buyers?

Yes. As a wholesale sphagnum moss supplier we serve professional buyers: sphagnum moss wholesale pricing, reseller terms and formats up to 5 kg. Larger volumes ship by the pallet — a pallet of bags. Contact us for quantities and trade rates.

Which sphagnum moss is best for orchids?

Long fiber Chilean sphagnum moss is the reference substrate for repotting orchids: it holds up to 20 times its weight in water while staying aerated, which limits root asphyxiation. Orchid sphagnum moss is our highest-volume line.

Can sphagnum moss be used for terrarium, vivarium and kokedama?

Yes. Our moss contains no additives or chemical treatment, so terrarium sphagnum moss is safe in direct contact with reptiles and amphibians. It is also used as kokedama moss, as a substrate for carnivorous plants and as topdressing for bonsai.