We’d strongly advise against it — unless the bag clearly says “for seeds.”
Most Multipurpose Composts (MPC) are made for growing plants, not starting them. They’re often too coarse and too strong for delicate seedlings.
Seeds need a fine texture, gentle moisture, and very little fertiliser. Standard MPCs are packed with larger fibres, added feed, and little microbial life. Result? Patchy germination, yellow leaves, or seedlings that keel over for no apparent reason.
The naming confusion
Much to our disbelief, some brands now call their entire range “Multipurpose Compost” — then add tiny sub-labels like “for seeds” or “for tomatoes.”
If the front clearly says “for seeds,” the mix has been tweaked and it’s fine to use. If it doesn’t — stop right there. You’ll just be setting yourself up for disappointment. It’s one of the most common reasons gardeners tell us, “My compost doesn’t work.”
What to do instead
Either buy a dedicated seed-sowing compost — or make your own gentle blend:
- 2 parts fine-sieved MPC
- 1 part perlite or fine sand
- 1 part mature home compost
That’s all it takes for a lighter, more forgiving seed bed.
