PlantBest

Each year, billions of coconuts are harvested globally for their water, milk, oil and meat and their husks are once discarded as agricultural waste. At PlantBest, this once-overlooked byproduct has become the foundation of an international operation that helps growers reduce their environmental impact while improving crop performance.

“I’ve never seen anything like it. This product outperforms traditional growing media across the board, delivering outstanding results for growers and gardeners while saving water, reducing labor and, in its compressed form, making it easier to transport for customers and businesses alike. Beyond that, it’s sustainable, cost-effective and a meaningful step toward solving the climate crisis. It’s truly remarkable!” says Brian Luborsky, founder.

The traditional alternative, peat, incurs a significantly higher environmental cost.

“When I read that drained and degraded peatlands contribute around 4 percent of annual global human-induced greenhouse gas emissions, according to the Global Peatlands Assessment published by the UN Environment Program, I knew I had to act. I realized I could bring a better product to the marketplace while making a positive impact for future generations,” adds Luborsky.

And the damage is long-lasting. While peat extraction can happen in a single day, it takes centuries - often over 200 years - for these ecosystems to recover. In contrast, coconut coir-based products are regenerative and sustainably sourced.

Professional growers are increasingly choosing coconut-based growing mediums as a high-performance, sustainable alternative to traditional substrates. These coir products are prized for their consistent quality, excellent aeration, strong root development, high water-holding capacity and efficient nutrient uptake, contributing to faster vegetative growth and higher yields at harvest.

PlantBest offers both buffered and unbuffered blends uniquely tailored to specific crop needs, giving growers the flexibility to manage pH and nutrient levels with precision.
“We go beyond generic solutions by offering buffered, unbuffered and fully customized blends tailored to crop type, growing environment and performance goals. Whether it's high-expansion blocks, grow bags, cubes or other formats, our range gives growers the flexibility they need to maximize yield and efficiency,” adds Luborsky.

Each batch undergoes strict lab testing to ensure consistency in salinity, pH, moisture content and particle size. This level of quality control helps eliminate variability from one grow cycle to the next, allowing growers to focus on maximizing productivity rather than managing substrate risk.

While PlantBest’s roots are in commercial horticulture, they are now also expanding to make sustainable growing easier for home gardeners, landscapers and municipalities. Their direct-to-consumer lineup, including Coco Topsoil, Coco Peat Garden Soil and Concentrated Potting Mix as well as Coco Mulch, is set to launch soon at major retailers and garden centers worldwide.

“Our Coco Topsoil replaces up to 9 heavy bags of traditional soil, which can weigh over 20 pounds each - making it incredibly convenient for weekend gardeners and pros alike. Landscapers and municipalities are seeing savings on labor and water, while our mulch helps preserve trees and provides coverage that lasts up to two seasons,” adds Luborsky.

Consumers often assume that sustainable products come with a higher price tag. PlantBest challenges that assumption with growing media that’s not only environmentally responsible but also cost-effective and high-performing.

“This is better for your garden and better for the planet. You don’t have to choose between performance and sustainability - with PlantBest, you get both,” concludes Luborsky.

By turning discarded coconut husks into regenerative growing solutions, PlantBest is redefining what’s possible in sustainable agriculture - proving that the future of cultivation can be greener, smarter and more profitable.