The organic mulching material made from coconut husk fibers is coir. Also called coconut fibre, coir is extracted from the fibrous layer between a coconut’s outer coat and its hard inner shell.
In gardening, coir is used in potting mixes, soil amendments and mulch because it is durable, lightweight and capable of holding moisture. It is often promoted as an alternative to peat, whose extraction can damage peatlands. Coir’s high lignin content helps it resist rapid breakdown, while its structure allows air to remain around plant roots.
Gardeners should distinguish coir fibre from coir pith, sometimes sold as coco peat. Coir fibre consists of longer strands and is less commonly used as the main potting medium; coir pith is the finer, spongy material left after fibre processing. Pith can retain salts, so growing products may need washing or buffering before use.
Brown coir comes from ripe coconuts and is used for mats, ropes and horticulture. White coir, taken from unripe coconuts, produces finer fibres for brushes, twine and nets.