With sustainable practices becoming an essential part of life, the world of horticulture is changing its ways. Denis-Plants is taking the lead, aiming to be 100% peat-free at their nursery in Belgium in 2025. The business, specializing in young plant production, has collaborated with Jiffy to refine peat-free Preforma Plugs to meet its needs exactly.
A peat-free transition
Denis-Plants is a young plant nursery located in Belgium, focused on hardening off tissue-culture perennials and house plants. Excelling in challenging species such as Calathea, Alocasia, and Agapanthus, their innovative work extends across continents.
The company exports 85-90% of its plants internationally, serving markets across North America and Europe. A large part of their success is attributed to their advanced in-house R&D and tissue culture lab, ensuring full control of the propagation process.
Driven by a powerful commitment to sustainability, Denis-Plants began transitioning to 100% renewable substrates in 2018. Ahead of the curve, they are now well-positioned to serve international markets, especially in the UK, where peat-free is being demanded by customers and retailers. Jiffy’s peat-free Preforma Plugs play a key role in this shift, providing a long-term solution for plant propagation.
Testing, testing
“In the beginning, our approach to the transition process was literally trial and error—exploring what was available on the market and could be processed into a plug,” explains Andy van den Broeck, Denis-Plant's Production Manager who has been at nursery for over 25 years. He has emphasized the importance of reliable and durable raw material throughout the transition: “It’s crucial to work with components that remain available and stable for the long term.”
“Over two growing seasons, we tested about five different mixes,” says Andy. “It became clear that the adoption of peat-free plant plugs isn’t just about replicating what traditional substrates do; it requires adjusting cultivation methods to achieve the same plant quality our customers expect.” These adjustments included tweaking irrigation schedules and increasing fertilization slightly to compensate for the new plugs’ reduced buffer capacity.
Denis-Plant’s experience with Jiffy solutions
Jiffy has played a critical role in supporting Denis-Plants throughout this shift. The partnership included on-site visits from Jiffy four to five times a year. One notable success was the calibration of the pH levels in the renewable mixes. Additionally, Jiffy focused on ongoing research to meet industry sustainability benchmarks and optimize the Preforma Plugs’ performance.
The collaboration ensured that Denis-Plants could adapt to peat-free propagation while minimizing disruptions to their processes. For example, the new plugs’ structure allowed for easy integration into the nursery's existing automation systems. “We didn’t need to alter our sorting lines or planting systems, which made the transition smoother than expected,” confirms Andy.
Why growers are choosing Peat-Free Preforma Plugs
More and more growers in Europe are switching to peat-free Preforma Plugs as the use of peat-based substrates is restricted. To help reduce growers’ environmental impact, Jiffy has developed peat-free plant plugs, made from the highest quality renewable raw materials.
These plugs are alternative plant propagation tools that are ideally suited for perennials and houseplants during their early stages. Made from materials like premium coco coir and wood fiber, they offer first-rate water retention and aeration properties. They are specifically designed for plant propagation and hardening off, ensuring top-tier root development and consistency.
The plugs’ advanced design supports growers in adopting more sustainable practices while maintaining efficiency and exceptional plant health. Thanks to these benefits, Denis-Plants achieved a smooth shift and rapid plant growth.
A shared mission
Customer reactions, both in- and outside of the UK, have been very positive. “Some customers are hesitant at first,” notes Andy. "But once they see the excellent performance of plants grown in peat-free Preforma Plugs, they quickly become more confident.” This highlights the industry’s gradual embrace of alternative growing media.
With 2025 just around the corner, Denis-Plants is committed to achieving their target of going fully renewable in the short term. Jiffy’s ongoing support underlines the shared mission of building a stronger future for horticulture. The peat-free movement is more than a market shift—it’s a step toward ensuring the industry remains resilient, innovative, and environmentally responsible for generations to come.
Let’s work together
Jiffy is a leading global supplier of premium growing media and solution thinking. We aim to serve you, our customers in plant propagation and cultivation, to achieve better results with fewer worries. We do this by continually improving, innovating, and working toward our common goals, based on scientific research, teamwork, and decades of experience. Let’s develop sustainable plant growing solutions together: Let’s start today!
