Last updated: 31 March 2025
New restrictions will come into force in 2026 regarding the presence of peat at RHS Shows and the use of peat by RHS plant suppliers. Below is our peat-use policy for RHS suppliers and Shows exhibitors from January 2026 up to 2028.
The RHS peat-free team are here to help – if you have any questions or have any areas you are finding especially challenging, please get in touch. Questions can be sent to peatfreeworkshops@rhs.org.uk.
Exhibiting plants from 2026
Plants that are part of Show Gardens, judged floral displays and tradestands, must either be 100% peat-free or contain only legacy peat (peat that entered the potting system before 1 January 2026. Designers and exhibitors will be asked to sign a declaration confirming this is the case.
This does not mean that plants sourced by nurseries for use in Show Gardens must be 100% peat-free; only the plants that are exhibited or sold through the RHS.
100% peat-free includes all propagation material, including young or plug plants. Designers and exhibitors must check the status of plants before bringing them to RHS Shows.
Selling plants from 2026–2028
Up until 2028, exhibitors will be permitted to sell plants that have been started in peat as young or plug plants. These peat-starter plants must have been grown on in peat-free media and are only permitted to be sold and should not be used as part of judged floral displays.
Legacy peat
Legacy peat, or No New Peat Plants, covers any peat that is already in your production system up until 31 December 2025. This means any potting action from 1 January 2026 onwards must use peat-free growing media in order for the plants to be exhibited through the RHS.
This also covers plug plants, so any plug plants bought in 2025 that contain peat, but are potted into peat-free in 2026, will be considered legacy peat, and these plants can be exhibited through the RHS.
However, any plugs or other bought-in material purchased from 1 Janaury 2026 onwards, that are to be exhibited with the RHS, must also be peat-free.
For more information on how our policies are changing in 2025, read more about the Shows peat policy update.
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