Detailed comparison of properties, uses and performance
French and Chilean sphagnum both belong to the Sphagnum genus, but their growing conditions, properties and uses differ significantly.
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.
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.
| Criterion | French Sphagnum | Chilean Sphagnum (L'Or Vert) |
|---|---|---|
| Espèce principale | S. palustre, S. papillosum | S. magellanicum |
| Origine géographique | Massif Central, Bretagne, Landes | Patagonie, Sud du Chili |
| Longueur des fibres | Courtes à moyennes (2-5 cm) | Longues (8-16 cm) — 85% > 8 mm |
| Couleur | Brun foncé à verdâtre | Blonde / Beige clair |
| Matière sèche | 40-70% | 96% |
| Matière organique | 85-95% | 99% |
| pH | 4.0 - 5.5 | 5.0 |
| Conductivité électrique | Variable (0.5 - 2.0 mS/m) | 0.72 mS/m (très faible) |
| Rétention d'eau (volume) | 30-45% | 51% |
| Rétention d'eau (masse) | 800-1500% | 2380% |
| Rétention d'air | 40-55% | 67% |
| Porosité | 70-85% | 93% |
| Densité apparente | 50-120 kg/m³ | 22 kg/m³ (ultra-légère) |
| Volume / kg | 20-40 litres | 80 litres |
| Absorption (x poids sec) | 10-15x | 20x |
| Contaminants | Variable | Zéro matière non-compostable |
| Métaux lourds | Variable selon site | Tous < Classe A (NCh 2880) |
| Agriculture biologique | Selon fournisseur | CE 834/2007 |
| Norme substrat | Variable | NF U 44-551 |
| Réglementation récolte | Zones Natura 2000 (limitée) | Décret N°25 — Plan de récolte SAG |
| Disponibilité | Limitée, saisonnière | Toute l'année, volumes importants |
| Formats disponibles | Vrac, sacs petits formats | 50g à 5kg (6 formats) |
85% of fibers measure between 8 and 16 mm, offering superior structure, better aeration and slower decomposition than short fibers.
1 kg yields 80 liters of substrate (vs 20-40 L for French). At 96% dry matter, you pay for the product, not water.
2,380% water retention by mass — far superior to French sphagnum. Significantly reduces watering frequency.
Density of only 22 kg/m³ — ideal for green walls, hanging baskets and any weight-critical application.
Zero non-compostable material. Heavy metals well below Class A thresholds. Analysed by AGROLAB Chile.
Regular supply year-round, in 6 standard sizes. No seasonal shortages unlike European sources.
| Use | French Sphagnum | Chilean Sphagnum (L'Or Vert) |
|---|---|---|
| Terrarium tropical | Possible mais fibres courtes | Excellent — fibres longues, esthétique blonde |
| Orchidées & épiphytes | Acceptable | Idéal — aération et drainage optimaux |
| Mur végétal | Trop lourde | Parfait — ultra légère (22 kg/m³) |
| Bouturage | Bien | Excellent — milieu stérile, pH stable |
| Paillage | Usage local | Très bon — décomposition lente |
| Kokedama | Possible | Idéal — fibres longues faciles à travailler |
| Hydroponie / aquaponie | Peu adaptée | Excellent substrat inerte, pH stable |
| Pépinière professionnelle | Volumes insuffisants | Format 5 kg pro, approvisionnement garanti |
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Explore our 6-size range or view our complete technical data.