What are the properties of peat moss?

An intact peat moss has two parts: a living top section that grows only at the plant's head; a dead bottom section that has died from lack of light and has begun to partially decay; this feature can be explained by the fact that peat mosses lack roots and a true vascular system for fluid transportation; they also do not produce flowers or blossoms; and the living portion receives nutrition independently of the dead bottom section.

Peat moss can store water because both living and dead plants can hold large amounts of water inside their cells. Empty cells help retain water in drier conditions, forming large mires, raised bogs, and blanket bogs. Peat moss can also acidify its surroundings by taking up cations, such as calcium and magnesium, and realizing hydrogen ions. Furthermore, they have an extraordinary capacity to raise the water table by trapping rainwater in spaces between stems and leaves.

Peat moss has several properties, including high water retention capacity, acidic pH, low nutrient content, lightweight texture, and ability to improve soil structure.