John Innes Range 8 Litres

John Innes is not a brand but a traditional recipe: a loam-based compost that blends sterilised soil with other ingredients to give a firm, nutrient-rich growing medium. Because it is soil-based it holds on to nutrients and moisture well and gives pots real stability, which makes it a reliable choice for potting and longer-term container growing. Our John Innes composts are also enriched with high-potency Gro Worm worm casts and are OF&G certified organic.

The numbers refer to how much feed the compost contains, matched to the stage of the plant, not to quantity. No.1 is the gentlest, for young plants and seedlings being potted up. No.2 has more feed for potting on established plants and general repotting. No.3 is the richest, for mature plants, hungry crops and final potting into large containers.

Use the John Innes Seed compost for sowing seeds and taking cuttings. It has a fine, open texture and only a light level of nutrients, which is exactly what young seedlings need, since too much feed too early can do more harm than good. Once seedlings are large enough to handle, move them on into John Innes No.1.

The Ericaceous mix is a John Innes compost with a low, acidic pH for acid-loving plants such as rhododendrons, azaleas, camellias and blueberries. These plants cannot take up nutrients properly in neutral or limey compost, so a dedicated ericaceous blend keeps their foliage green and healthy. Use it for potting and topping up those plants in containers.

They suit different jobs. Multipurpose is light and convenient for short-term and general use, while loam-based John Innes holds nutrients and water for longer, resists drying out, and gives heavier, taller plants more stability, which makes it better for potting on and long-term container plants. Many gardeners use both, matching the compost to the plant and the pot.

Ours pairs the trusted John Innes recipe with high-potency Gro Worm worm casts, so you get the structure and staying power of a loam-based compost plus the beneficial microbes and micronutrients worm casts bring. The range is OF&G certified organic and comes in convenient 8 litre handy packs, covering every stage from seed sowing to mature plants.