Have you wondered why and where to buy activated charcoal for plants and horticultural charcoal uses? This article will guide you on charcoal for plants.
There are many places to buy horticultural charcoal, from agro vets to pharmacies. Due to its many uses, you can find it anywhere that sells medicinal products, including herb shops.
Check Best Horticultural Charcoal
You can also order online from trade sites like Amazon, Shopify, eBay, Alibaba, etc.
Horticultural Charcoal Reviews
Hoffman 17502 Charcoal Soil Conditioner, 24-Ounce – Activated Charcoal BrandThis 24 ounce part of activated charcoal is great for potting plants as it absorbs impurities when mixed with the soil in your pots. This helps the plants to access nutrients and water in a purer form, boosting their health. It is an efficient way of ensuring your plants have a natural drainage system.
The Josh's Frog – Activated Charcoal For TerrariumThis would be a personal recommendation for several reasons. First of all, it is the second layer in the terrarium. Which means it acts as some filter. You will only need a thin layer to cover the drainage. The amount of charcoal that you would require would be half of the drainage layer. This horticultural charcoal is a bonus for anyone since they can use it to culture springtails. It absorbs odors and helps in maintaining a freshness around the house or even in the garden.
Appalachian Emporium's 2Oz Activated Charcoal (For Terrariums) Chinkapin Oak NaturalStill, on where to buy activated charcoal, we also stumbled on this excellent garden charcoal. One of the purest out there, this works wonders on your soil. Talk about enhancing air circulation, adsorption of impurities, and improving water/nutrients retention; it does them well and expertly. And it's easy to see why- it comes from the finest Chinkapin Oak Hardwood.
Premium Activated Carbon Filter Charcoal -by Aquatic Experts- Potting CharcoalThis is a premium grade horticultural charcoal. Mixed with Bituminous coal, this potting charcoal is crushed to tiny sizes to cover a greater surface area. Smaller fragments pack tightly, minimizing gaps, so there is more value for your money. It's immense in absorbing odors from your compost or even manure, one of the best charcoal soil. This activated charcoal powder bulk undergoes a special purification process so it's very fresh by the time it lands in your hands.
Marineland Black Diamond Premium Activated Carbon – Cheap Activated Charcoal PowderSizing is a common issue in most of the cheap activated charcoal brands. This is specially sized to make its application hassle-free. It's also one of the most efficient activated charcoal granules. Some of its fans have claimed as twice as effective as its nearest terrarium charcoal competition. Made from coal material, this raw charcoal alternative excels in purifying soil and eliminating odors. And it's one of the activated charcoal for plants that's versatile enough for use in other areas like tackling discoloration in the aquarium
Black Gold Quart Charcoal Soil – Garden CharcoalThe question where can I buy activated charcoal can be tricky for gardeners who deal with heavy soils. That's because not many stores stock activated charcoal bulk dedicated to heavy soils. One of the few bulk activated charcoals for heavy soil is This black gold quart charcoal soil. It performs like a master in conditioning heavy soils, improving the texture and density, aeration, and even drainage. And this bulk-activated carbon will also absorb excess moisture on top of removing odors. So, if you are looking for an activated charcoal bag that will be Effective even in sweetening heavy soils in terrariums and your pots, then this activated carbon bulk will leave you smiling from ear to ear.
What is Activated Charcoal?
Before tackling where to buy an activated charcoal powder, it’s good that we know what activated charcoal plants and the gardening for the same are.
Activated charcoal is a non-toxic type of charcoal formed when the wood is exposed to extremely high temperatures to make it highly porous.
Due to the subsequent high porous property, activated charcoal for terrariums is a sound-absorbent and an essential input in modern-day gardening.
The 2-Stage Process of Making Activated Charcoal
I will soon be answering where to buy activated charcoal stores but let’s first understand the process of making activated carbon.
The making of an activated charcoal terrarium can be summarized as a 2-stage process.
Stage 1: Carbonization – Carbonization is the act of taking any carbon-rich material such as coal, peat, or even organic carbonaceous material through a heating process, technically called pyrolysis, to convert it into pure carbon.
Usually, the activated charcoal for the terrarium is exposed to hot temperatures of between 600–1200 °C.
Stage 2: Oxidation – The next and last stage is oxidation.
During this process, carbonized charcoal is exposed to either steam or air with temperatures as high as 1200 °C.
The goal is to increase the charcoal’s surface so that it finally becomes porous and well aerated. This makes activated charcoal have a small surface with high adsorption qualities. Even though you can use a substitute for activated charcoal in potting or improve compost, you can hardly get the adsorption you get when you buy activated charcoal?
Benefits and Uses of Activated Carbon For Plants
Recently someone emailed us asking, “is charcoal ash good for plants?”
Well, what I can say is that when you buy activated carbon, you can put it into numerous uses in your yard.
It’s one of those underrated but potent farm essentials.
Let’s look at some of why you should buy activated charcoal powder.
- Eliminate Molds – In the house, you can use it to remove molds around your home and other damp locations. Remember, Mold can be everywhere, and a moldy environment can cause numerous problems, including irritation, encouraging bacteria growth, and many more.
- Water Retention – When mixed with soil, it improves its porousness and water retaining abilities. The soil will hold water for longer, saving you from constant watering. It also means your plants stay hydrated for longer, and this could be highly beneficial to plants that need a lot of water, like scarlet swamp hibiscus. You can also use it to filter water impurities.
- Potting Plants – Charcoal for plants is MEANT to promote healthy potted plants. This is achieved by improved water retaining qualities of the soil and helps the fertilizer function more effectively. Again with higher moisture retention, potted plants will require less watering.
- Removing Odors – It is also helpful in eliminating smells. If you have a fungal problem, you can call on activated carbon. It also does well in removing odors in your fridge or an area where your pet has lived.
- Eliminating Soil Impurities – Activated charcoal adsorbs chemicals and toxins accumulate in the soil over time, posing a threat to your plant. Due to its good adsorbent properties, it draws the toxins out of your soil. Hence it’s becoming common to see gardeners mix it with soil when preparing for planting.
- Health Benefits – Apart from its uses in farming, it also has many health benefits. Here are some of its health applications:
- Reduce bloating and gas
- Treat bile flow issues during pregnancy
- Lowering cholesterol level.
- Cure hangovers!
- Treat poisoning cases and drug overdoses.
- Treating acne
- Getting rid of body odors.
- As a first aid in relieving pain from insect bites, rashes, or even snake bites.
- In case of inflammations from bites and contact from poisonous plants, some activated charcoal should help reduce the stress on the area.
So, as you can see, there are plenty of reasons you should ask, “where can I purchase activated charcoal?”
However, our discussion will revolve around activated charcoal for gardening for this post.
Activated Charcoal For A Terrarium
A terrarium full of moss and small plants that start as a delightful miniature forest can quickly deteriorate into one smelly, humid swamp just because you forgot activated charcoal.
So, even though you are often told to leave it out in multiple terrarium-making tutorials, activated carbon should be layered just beneath the soil in all closed-top terrariums.
Hence, even before deciding what to plant in a terrarium, find out where to purchase activated charcoal and purchase some.
This Is How It Works
A ½ inch layer of good-quality activated charcoal added under the soil & between asphagnum moss upper layer and gravel or pebbles on the lower layer acts as an excellent filter pulling toxins and all bacteria out of the soil/water.
It also deodorizes the terrarium.
Where to Buy Activated Charcoal For Plants (Terrariums)?
If you are really into boutique gardening, you will want to know where to buy activated charcoal for terrariums.
The good news is that most online stores like Amazon and Wal-Mart cater to artistic gardening and don’t add huge markups like the case with some of the specialty stores.
How To Choose Activated Charcoal For Your Gardening Needs?
Even as you ponder activated charcoal powder where to buy, let me highlight how to choose the correct activated charcoal for your lawn.
Know That The Applications Are Grouped Into 2 Categories
Applications broadly fall into water/fluid filter and air/vapor filter applications. Air/vapor filters mostly use the larger-sized granular Activated Charcoal (GAC), while water /liquid applications tend to use smaller GAC and powdered Activated Charcoal (PAC).
Particle Size
Sufficient contact time (with the activated charcoal) is crucial. The smaller your charcoal particles are, the faster the action will be.
But smaller particles may restrict the flow of nutrients and water. Therefore, try to strike a balance.
Molecular Size of Target Contaminant
What is the molecular size of your target contaminant?
There are three basic activated charcoal pore structures:
- Micro (smallest) – usually below 20 Å
- Meso (intermediate)–from 20 Å – 50 Å
- Macro (most significant) – from 50 Å upwards
Match your target contaminant to the correct pore size.
For instance, activated charcoal made from coconut shells has a micropore structure- perfect for small air/gas molecules.
For wood-based charcoal, expect more mid-range pores.
Finally, coal-based activated carbon has larger macro-pores –perfect for larger color/protein molecules.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The following are some of the questions frequently asked regarding activated charcoal for plants:
What Is Meant By Virgin, Reactivated and Regenerated Charcoal?
- Virgin activated charcoal refers to the original product- never been used.
- Reactivated charcoal is the activated charcoal that had already exhausted its lifespan but was re-exposed to steam activation.
This restores approximately 90% of the prior activity level, so it’s still safe and effective.
- Regenerated carbon is an activity in which spent carbon is rinsed with either a chemical agent or water to remove some of the adsorbed contaminants.
Only around 5 – 50% of the initial activity level is restored.
Is There a Difference Between Coconut, Hardwood, Bamboo, or Coal?
Ignoring costs, each of these activated charcoal raw materials has unique qualities that make them fit some applications more than others.
Upon activation, each produces different internal pore structures hence accommodating molecules of various sizes. For instance, coconut-activated charcoal shines for air/vapor applications targeting odor control.
On the other hand, coal based activated charcoal is superb for color removal.
Is “Activated Charcoal” and “Activated Carbon” the Same Thing?
Sure yes. Activated charcoal is the lay term, while “Activated carbon” is common commonly in manufacturing circles.
How Long Does Activated Charcoal Last?
After knowing where to buy charcoal, learn how to store it, its life can be indefinite if you keep it in airtight containers.
Otherwise, if left open, in time, it will adsorb many pollutants and subsequently “fill up.”
Is it Safe?
Activated charcoal is, to a large extent, considered Safe. Some manufacturers go further to certify their products under agencies such as ANSI.
Wrapping Up
I have tackled where to buy activated charcoal for plants, and Horticultural charcoal uses in this post.
We have seen that most online stores like Amazon, Wal-Mart, and Alibaba will stock activated charcoal.
Another option would be to type ‘where can I buy activated charcoal powder in your browser or even ‘activated charcoal where to buy.
And because activated charcoal has tremendous benefits, knowing where you can buy activated charcoal can give your plants the impetus they need to start glowing all over again.
Last update on 2023-04-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
