peat moss

noun

1

: sphagnum moss that has become compacted with other plant debris to form peat (see peat entry 1 sense 1a)

When harvested from the bog, peat moss dries out quickly and is turned into amendments meant to improve drainage and retain moisture in soils.

—Kim Pokorny

The area was so full of peat moss, the construction crew had to dig down three metres to find solid footing for bridge abutments.

—Elise Stolte

2

: dried and processed peat used especially as a soil amendment (see amendment sense 3)

… commercial potting soil contains peat moss, commonly sourced from bogs in Canada, which are exceptional carbon sinks.

—Paige Curtis

Examples of peat moss in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The soil should contain coco coir or peat moss for moisture retention, pine bark fines or orchid bark to support root health, and perlite or pumice to help improve drainage and prevent compaction. —Rae Ford, Martha Stewart, 11 Feb. 2026

Keep the plant three or more feet from the home and prepare the ground with compost, peat moss or manure. —Tom MacKlin, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 Feb. 2026

Add perlite, peat moss, vermiculite, or compost to improve drainage if needed. —Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 22 Jan. 2026

As for the backfill in your planting hole, Nuccio recommends a soil mix of 1/2 peat moss, 1/4 perlite, and 1/4 fast-draining soil for camellias, while planting azaleas in a mix that is 2/3 peat moss and 1/3 perlite. —Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 8 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1848, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for peat moss

• across
• backcross
• crisscross
• lacrosse
• recross
• tomas
• albatross
• applesauce
• barabbas
• helios
• kshatriyas
• blas

Kids Definition

peat moss

noun

: sphagnum