Walk into a garden center, and you’ll likely be greeted by a dizzying array of compost options. With so many choices, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed — and it can be hard to figure out which one is right for your needs.
This guide simplifies the process by breaking down 12 common types of compost, explaining their uses, benefits, and when to avoid them. You’ll also discover which types you can easily make at home. Whether you’re starting seeds, improving your soil, or tackling unique gardening challenges, this guide will help you choose the best compost without wasting time or money.
In a nutshell: Seed compost is ideal for starting seedlings, offering low nutrients and good drainage. Multi-purpose compost also works for seeds but may reduce success rates for some varieties.
Lower in nutrients than standard multi-purpose compost, it avoids excess nitrogen that can damage young roots.
It is also light and airy, carefully balancing the ability to drain water and provide oxygen while holding sufficient moisture for early growth. Typically seed compost combines standard compost with other ingredients such as coir or perlite.
While seed compost is generally low in nutrients, it does need some. Tests by Which! have found that pure coir composts which are not enriched with nutrients perform poorly. Seeds germinate in the composts, but fail to grow on afterwards. In contrast, the top performing compost in UK tests is Fertile Fibre Seed Compost.
Composting is one of the best things you can do for your garden. By recycling kitchen and yard waste into nutrient-rich soil, you’ll boost your plants’ health while reducing landfill waste.
But with so many types of compost available, it can be tricky to know which one to choose In this complete guide, we’ll walk through the most common compost varieties, when to use each one, and how to make your own compost at home
First, what exactly is compost?
Compost is decayed organic material that can be added to soil as an amendment. The composting process involves the natural decomposition of plant and animal waste by microorganisms.
As the materials break down, they release valuable nutrients and minerals. The end result is a dark, crumbly, earthy-smelling material that enriches soil.
Compost provides a range of benefits:
- Improves soil structure and texture
- Boosts nutrient levels in the soil
- Encourages healthy root development
- Helps soil retain moisture
- Attracts earthworms and beneficial microbes
By adding compost to your garden and flowerbeds, you’ll see stronger, healthier plants.
The Main Types of Compost
There are many different types of compost. Let’s look at some of the most common varieties gardeners use:
1. Multi-Purpose Compost
As the name suggests, multi-purpose compost can be used for a variety of gardening tasks. Its balanced nutrient profile makes it a versatile choice for:
- Potting and repotting plants
- Top-dressing beds and borders
- Mulching around plants
- Improving existing soil
- Growing vegetables, flowers, shrubs, and trees
Multi-purpose compost is readily available from garden centers and nurseries. For best results, look for compost made from a diverse mix of materials such as plant waste, manures, and green waste.
2. Seed & Cutting Compost
Specially formulated for starting seeds and rooting cuttings, seed and cutting compost is lightweight and free-draining. This allows young roots to establish easily.
At the same time, it retains sufficient moisture and nutrients to support germination and early growth. Look for compost made with ingredients like coir, perlite, and vermiculite.
Avoid pure peat or coir composts, as these may lack nutrients.
3. Manure Compost
Manure compost provides an excellent nutritional boost for heavy feeding plants like tomatoes, squash, and brassicas. Made from animal waste like horse, cow, chicken, or pig manure, it can be rich in nitrogen and other nutrients.
Allow fresh manure composts to mature before applying. Otherwise, the decomposing manure may damage plants by heating the soil or robbing nitrogen from roots and leaves.
4. Green Compost
Green compost comes from plant materials like grass clippings, leaves, garden trimmings, and vegetable waste. As it contains lots of nitrogen-rich greens, it typically has a high nutrient content.
This makes green compost ideal for boosting soil fertility. It also helps improve moisture retention and soil structure.
5. Wood Chip Compost
Wood chip, bark chip, and sawdust composts offer a high carbon content. As they break down slowly, they’re perfect for improving soil structure over time.
Their lower nutrient levels also make them suitable for mulching and suppressing weeds. Avoid using them for ericaceous plants that prefer acidic soil.
6. Leaf Mold Compost
Leaf mold is a simple compost made solely from fallen leaves. It may take over a year to decompose but produces a lightweight, nutrient-poor compost ideal for seed sowing.
Shredding the leaves first speeds up the process. You can also combine leaves with grass clippings or other nitrogen sources to produce a balanced compost.
7. Digestate & Bokashi Composts
Digestates are byproducts from anaerobic digestion facilities that process food or farm waste. Bokashi uses a special bran to ferment kitchen waste without oxygen.
While not true composts, digestates and bokashi can be added to compost heaps or directly to soil. However, for best results it’s recommended to allow them to decompose fully into finished compost.
8. Mushroom Compost
Mushroom compost consists of waste straw and manure leftover from commercial mushroom farming. Already partially decomposed, it breaks down rapidly.
It has an alkaline pH, so it’s great for improving soil structure and providing nutrients. But go easy on acidic soil, as excessive applications can cause lime buildup.
9. Seaweed Compost
Composted seaweed offers numerous minerals and micronutrients often lacking in land-based composts. It’s an excellent fertilizer for vegetables and flowers, encouraging strong roots and stems.
Use seaweed compost to give seedlings a boost by mixing it into potting soil. It’s also beneficial for establishing lawns and as a mulch.
10. Compost Teas & Leachate
Compost teas and leachate are nutrient-rich liquid fertilizers created by steeping finished compost or capturing the runoff from compost heaps.
Sprayed onto plants and soil, compost teas boost microbial activity and provide easily accessible nutrition. However, take care with leachate as it can be high in salts.
11. Vermicompost
Vermicompost is the end-product of worm composting. Essentially worm poop, it’s packed with nutrients and microbial life. Vermicompost makes an excellent seed starter and gentle liquid fertilizer.
You can produce your own vermicompost at home. Alternatively, it’s available bagged from many garden retailers.
12. Ericaceous Compost
Ericaceous compost has an acidic pH perfect for acid-loving plants like rhododendrons, camellias, heathers, and blueberries. It allows these plants to access nutrients like iron, which they can’t take up in alkaline soils.
Look for ericaceous compost made with pine needles, leaf mold, bracken, and peat-free alternatives to peat. Avoid lime-rich ingredients that will raise pH.
How to Choose the Right Compost
With so many options, choosing the right compost may seem complicated. But just focus on your intended use.
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For sowing seeds and taking cuttings, choose a specialist seed or cutting compost.
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To give beds a nutrient boost, opt for manure, green waste, or seaweed compost.
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For improving soil structure over time, go with wood chip or leaf mold compost.
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Acid lovers like rhododendrons need ericaceous compost.
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Multi-purpose compost is the safe choice for general use.
If in doubt, check the label for details on the compost’s origins, composition, and recommended uses.
And always allow fresh manure-based composts to mature before applying them around plants.
Making Your Own Compost at Home
While buying compost is convenient, you can also make your own compost at home. Here’s a simple process:
1. Choose a compost container. You’ll need either a freestanding compost bin, a contained heap, or a simple wire enclosure. Look for at least 1 cubic meter (1.3 cubic yards) capacity.
2. Add a mix of materials. Aim for a ratio of 2 parts brown “carbon” waste like woody prunings, paper, straw, and leaves to 1 part green “nitrogen” waste such as grass clippings, fruit and veggie scraps, and coffee grounds.
3. Maintain airflow and moisture. Turn or stir the heap weekly and water occasionally to keep it moist like a wrung-out sponge. A covered heap retains heat and moisture better.
4. Let it decompose. In 4-12 months you should have usable compost. Smaller pieces will break down quickest. Sieve finished compost to remove woody chunks.
Making compost at home does require a bit more effort. But it provides an excellent free source of compost tailored to your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions About Compost Types
To finish up, let’s look at some common questions about the different types of compost:
What are the main types of compost?
The most common types are multi-purpose, manure, green, wood chip, leaf mold, and seed & cutting compost. Specialist composts include mushroom, vermicompost, seaweed, ericaceous, and compost teas.
How do I choose the right compost?
Match the compost to your intended use – manure and green composts for fertility, wood chips for mulching, ericaceous compost for acid-lovers, seed compost for sowing, and multi-purpose for general use.
Is store-bought or homemade compost better?
Homemade compost is cheaper and you control the inputs. But store-bought offers convenience and consistent quality. Using both is ideal for most gardens.
What can I put in my compost heap?
Include a mix of greens like grass clippings, fruit and vegetable scraps, and coffee grounds, and browns such as dead leaves and woody prunings. Avoid diseased plants, pernicious weeds, and animal waste.
How long does composting take?
With occasional turning and the right moisture, homemade compost takes 4-12 months. Small pieces decompose fastest. Sieve mature compost to remove woody chunks.
Can I use compost straight away?
Allow fresh manure-based composts to fully mature before applying them. Other composts can generally be used straight away, but unfinished compost may damage plants.
Conclusion
Improving your soil with compost is one of the best things you can do for your garden. Compost releases nutrients over time, helps soil retain moisture, and encourages the all-important soil food web.
While the many types of compost can seem confusing initially, just focus on matching the compost to your garden’s needs. With the right compost for your conditions, your plants will thrive!
Green garden waste compost
Green garden waste compost comes from plant materials, such as grass cuttings, leaves, and weeds. It’s high in nitrogen which helps plants grow strong and healthy. You can use it as a soil conditioner or fertilizer for your garden or allotment.
Cacti and Succulent plant compost
In a nutshell: This compost replicates desert soil—well-draining and low in nutrients—making it ideal for cacti and succulents.
Cacti and succulent plant compost is specially formulated to meet the unique needs of these plants. It provides excellent drainage and low nutrient levels, replicating the arid conditions where they naturally thrive. (Note: While all cacti are succulents, not all succulents are cacti.)
Typically succulent compost contains soil, sand and/or grit as well as soil. It may also contain perlite and peat and/or specific plant nutrients suited for succulents. The mixes aim to achieve specific levels of PH balance, nutrition and drainage.
Typically, succulent compost contains a mix of soil, sand, and/or grit. Some blends may also include perlite, peat moss, or specific nutrients tailored to succulent plants. These components work together to create the ideal balance of pH, nutrition, and drainage.
Yes, you can, although you’ll find some disagreement on the perfect mix! Simplify Gardening has an excellent article on the different materials you can use, as well as the mixes you can use for different types of succulents.