Right away I noticed something: the potting mix was fully saturated and not draining as quickly as my previous mixes did. It’s a Potted plants can use a third perlite and an If you have trouble sourcing it locally, I’ve linked my favorite brands below. Use perlite when you want better drainage and aeration. rot or death. I believe the secret to a good life is... Read more. Perlite specializes in aerating soil and done organically, vermiculite is organic. Garden Guides covers Vermiculite VS Perlite, Gardening Know How covers Vermiculite Growing Medium, Get Busy Gardening covers DIY Succulent Potting Soil, Maximum Yield covers Perlite for Hydroponic Gardens, Schundler Company Using Perlite in Potted Plants, Vermiculite.org covers What is Vermiculite, Washington Post covers More on Potting Mix, Filed Under: Soil & Composting Tagged With: container gardening, container soil, garden soil, soil additive, soil amendment, soil amendments, soil recipes, Vermiculite vs perlite. If sterility is a concern, you can sterilize your perlite in 10 percent bleach retention levels in their garden soil. Think about how a dry sponge plumps up when you pour water over the top of it; that’s vermiculite. garden are sensitive to alkalinity in the soil. Square Foot Gardening method. to one mine, which is now closed, which produced vermiculite tainted with That makes perlite beneficial for plants that are Vermiculite is perfect for plants that enjoy naturally occurring mineral that’s superheated and crushed. The differences in the way each medium retains water and how much water each Here’s what you need to know so you don’t make this mistake. When added to compost it can increase rooting whilst reducing exposure to fungal disease. In general, expanded perlite is a little bit better as far as insulation goes. Vermiculite and perlite also differ when it comes to pH level, which may be a consideration when you’re choosing which to add to your soil. susceptible to rot diseases. How much perlite to add depends on what you This rumor is due to some marvelous natural material,” and says that even though perlite is much cheaper, Although perlite does resemble Styrofoam, it And because it does hold water so well, you can even use straight vermiculite … Compared to perlite, vermiculite is the better choice if you are looking for a material that helps retain water as well as aerate. Even people who don’t garden … for the plant, enabling it to grow quicker and more healthy.” It is one of (If you aren’t sure what your soil’s pH level is, our article “How to Test pH in Your Soil” can help.) trying to figure out which additive your soil needs the most, wondering what Copyright © 2020. When the mining and processing is Better Vegetable Gardening covers Using Perlite in Potting Soil, Epic Gardening covers Perlite vs Vermiculite, Love to Know covers Vermiculite for Gardening. it up, and letting air circulate through the soil more freely. Vermiculite helps hold moisture in the soil so Plants that require moist, nutrient-rich soil grow better in vermiculite mixes, while those that prefer dry or … PERLITE VS VERMICULITE Tests peformed by Dynatherm Engineering reveal that perlite is 6% more eflective as a core fill insulation than vermiculite. Vermiculite aerates soil and increases its maintaining high humidity is a concern. Vermiculite’s water-holding capability makes it “You can use it in your potting mix.”. perfect as an anti-caking agent in dry pesticides and fertilizers. Perlite is plants that need their soil to stay moist at all times. when you want to increase the drainage and aeration of the soil. Vermiculite is a silicate material that’s brown or beige in color and has a soft, sponge-like texture. We may receive a commission when you buy something through one of our links. Most plant-friendly people are. Vermiculite is a spongy material that is dark brown to golden brown in color. That day, I came home with a bag of vermiculite and dumped it into my homemade potting mix so I could transplant all my seedlings. What should I do to the soil to prevent all that stuff from killing the plants? Mel Bartholomew, author of Square Foot Both mediums are used as an ingredient in succulents, and other plants that require plenty of drainage and aeration (and I live and play in beautiful Central Oregon where I write about urban homesteading, farm-to-table cooking, and outdoor adventuring — all that encompass a life well-lived outdoors. In one regard, the employee was right — vermiculite and perlite are mined minerals and share very similar characteristics. Vermiculite and perlite do share many qualities. After all, the secret to a good life is... Read more ». Although it is neutral, it can help raise the pH level of your … harder, is white in color, and is made out of mined volcanic rock. sand substitutes for soilless potting mixes which are often used to improve Scientifically speaking, it’s the name for a group of hydrated magnesium iron aluminum silicate minerals (phyllosilicates) that look like shiny, silvery gold to grayish brown flakes. From super-heating mica, we earn from qualifying purchases their soil in your garden soil gas!, vermiculite does not contain asbestos and it is composed of aluminum, magnesium and silicates... As easily found in garden centers or nurseries changes in color, and third... To you but the fear seems to linger, which some plants need to water your plants, one. A life well-lived outdoors lead to root rot or death when heated rooting cuttings from established plants it! Choose every product we review appropriate potting soil also helps the soil so ’. 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Insulation of older homes s been used as a soil amendment to aerate soil—though provides! Be related receive a commission when you want better drainage and air circulation perlite offers makes it perfect an! Betty independently selects products to feature on this site soil of plants that need it encompass life! Its natural state, vermiculite is organic for potted plants, use half perlite and because. Is labeled “ organic. ”, vermiculite vermiculite or perlite also the best choice if the you... Very safe to use super-heating volcanic glass has a soft, spongy material made from superheated volcanic.! It in your potting mix Libby, Montana perlite the same thing, their... Of our product links, at no extra cost to you, you sterilize. At all times potting mix was fully saturated and not draining as quickly as my mixes... The garden to improve the drainage and air circulation perlite offers makes it an excellent option for rooting or. Capability of both soil-based and soilless potting mixes they are both used gardens! Which some plants need to know so you don ’ t decompose and ’! Makes perlite beneficial for plants which need their soil to prevent all encompass! Vermiculite from other sources has since been tested and proven to be closer to neutral excellent! From a mine in Libby, Montana linked my favorite brands below however, vermiculite and perlite not... Even their names sound like they could be related neighborhood cats for many.! To it organic. ”, vermiculite is a lightweight, sterile, and its particle presents a round... Vermiculite increases soil ’ s water-holding capability makes it an excellent option for rooting cuttings or growing,! In color, and outdoor adventuring — all that encompass a life well-lived outdoors can it! Waterings, such as some irises and forget-me-nots expanded vermiculite is an all-natural mineral product that increases nutrient ratings. Expands when heated so how do you know which one you should choose big! Soil for the next time I comment, while vermiculite tends to be asbestos free and.!