The last decade has seen strides made in sales of peat-free growing media in amateur horticulture, though voluntary targets set by the government failed to mobilise the industry to phase out sales by 2020. In commercial organic horticulture, a voluntary target has been set to end the use of peat in growing media by 2024, ahead of Defra’s 2028 target for professional horticulture. However, the challenge remains to find affordable alternatives with the physical and chemical properties of peat. Many commercial growers have found challenges with cost, availability, quality, consistency and suitability of peat-free alternatives, particularly in areas such as transplanting, propagation and mushroom casing. Furthermore, not all alternatives have glowing environmental or social credentials. This panel session will hear from growers, researchers and plant nurseries on recent successes and innovations in the sector, as well as remaining barriers and needs for the industry if these targets are to be met.