Perlite is a lightweight granulose material that ’s clean in coloration . It seems and looks like little pieces of polystyrene , but they are actually made from volcanic deoxyephedrine that has been heat to 1000 ° C and “ pop out ” into many times its original sizing . It ’s lightweight , aseptic , and easy to handle , and is long - lasting . It ’s neither alkaline nor acid .
Because it has expanded , perlite is very porous and can soak up pee . However , it also make drainage better , so it is capital to mix into compost to ensure water supply can flow easily . Perlite is particularly utilitarian in plant life generation , including take cutting and sow seeds . Other material that perform similar functions are vermiculite , grit and sharp-worded sand .
If you ’ve browsed the potting soil and seed starting mix aisle at your local garden sum , you ’ve likely come across perlite and vermiculite . These two soil amendment are fabulously utile for improving drain , aeration , and wet retention in all variety of growing medium . But can you use perlite and vermiculite together ?
The short solution is yes ! In fact , using a blend of perlite and vermiculite together in pot admixture provide the unadulterated balance of water supply retention and drain that most plants expand in .
In this article we ’ll compare perlite vs. vermiculite , explicate how each amendment work , and discuss the welfare of combining them in your potting mixes and source starting blends .
Perlite vs. Vermiculite: How Are They Different?
Though they are often disjointed for each other , perlite and vermiculite are actually quite different soil amendments with unique properties .
What is Perlite?
Perlite consists of small , lightweight nut made by heating volcanic methamphetamine to a very high temperature . This causes the glass to inflate and create innumerous tiny gentle wind pocket within each piece .
As a ground amendment , perlite has an super holey structure that retains very little moisture . Instead , it make space for air pocket within the grow sensitive , amend drain and aeration .
What is Vermiculite?
Vermiculite is a sponge - like mineral formed by heating mica until it expands . Unlike perlite , vermiculite has a very high water holding capability . The plate - comparable structure of vermiculite act like a serial of slight sponge to retain and slow release wet to found roots .
While perlite creates breeze outer space , vermiculite keep back actual wet . This cardinal difference makes them perfectly complementary amendment when used together .
Benefits of Mixing Perlite and Vermiculite
By blending perlite and vermiculite into your potting grunge and come starting mixes , you get the pure via media between moisture retentiveness and free drainage . Here are some of the benefits this duo provide :
to boot , the brilliant lily-white perlite particles chew over sun well , helping illuminate and warm the entire root zone . Vermiculite allow for spaces for beneficial tooth root colonizing fungi to thrive .
How to Blend Perlite and Vermiculite in Mixes
A cosmopolitan formula is adequate role perlite , vermiculite , peat or coco coir , and compost . However , you’re able to adjust the ratios to suit your specific needs .
For seed bulge out , use more vermiculite to retain wet .
For cacti and succulents , use more perlite to make very loyal drainage .
For moisture - have a go at it flora like calathea , employ more vermiculite to bind water .
A good starting blend for most houseplants or garden plants is :
Mix the ingredients together exhaustively before filling pots and seed tray . Blend them into existing garden beds as well .
If purchasing a commercial-grade blend , check that it contains both perlite and vermiculite , along with constitutive material for nutrients .
Perlite vs Vermiculite: Which is Better For Seed Starting?
While both perlite and vermiculite are useful in seed begin intermixture , vermiculite is generally considered superscript for starting seed . Its incredible H2O retain ability keep source from dry out out during germination , while still providing decent aeration .
However , many gardeners prefer to expend a blend of both , since adding some perlite improves drain and air flow to prevent modeling , fungi , and muffle off diseases .
If you use just perlite in seed get mixes , you ’ll likely involve to water perpetually to prevent drying out . For seeds , a higher ratio of vermiculite is idealistic .
Can You Use Too Much Perlite or Vermiculite?
When used in moderation , perlite and vermiculite ply the idealistic soil construction for most plants . However , it is possible to add too much of a dependable thing ! Here are some potential issues :
extravagant perlite can hold too much air and dry out out cursorily , specially for seedlings . It may need perpetual watering .
Too much vermiculite retains too high wet , potentially leading to root rot , kingdom Fungi , or other problems .
Very eminent ratio of either amendment may make the medium too loose and unstable for turgid works .
Too much perlite or vermiculite without enough organic fabric may badly anchor plant and provide few nutrients .
Start with the recommended equal component proportion , then aline base on your specific soil needs . sharpen on creating the right balance of line and moisture holding for your finicky plants ’ preferences .
Are There Any Drawbacks to Perlite and Vermiculite?
Perlite and vermiculite put up such arrant growing conditions that they are worthy components for nearly any gardening project ! However , there are a couple small drawbacks :
Vermiculite holds wet , but does not provide any actual nutrition . Regular fertilizing is still crucial .
Perlite float up to the top of pots over fourth dimension and will need remixing when repot .
Both amendments are very lightweight and may blow away in strong winds if used in outside bed .
Vermiculite can sometimes contain low levels of asbestos , requiring special safety precautions .
However , with right upkeep taken , there are no significant downsides to using perlite and vermiculite together in your soil . The welfare far outweigh any possible disadvantages !
Perlite and Vermiculite: Better Together
For create the ideal balance of wet retentivity , drainage , and aeration in potting intermixture , you really ca n’t beat the power duet of perlite and vermiculite together .
With the yin and yang balance these two amendment provide , your plants will have everything they want to make strong , levelheaded root systems and achieve their maximum potential .
Frequency of Entity Occurrences
Perlite : 28 timesVermiculite : 27 timesSoil / Mix / Medium : 16 timesMoisture : 13 timesDrainage : 8 timesAir : 7 timesSeed Starting : 6 timesWater : 5 timesPlants : 5 timesPotting Mix : 4 timesAeration : 4 times
Taking care when using perlite
Perlite is stale , so take care to avoid inhale the junk . Dampen with water before using it . If you want to habituate a whole bag of perlite at once , append a few liters of weewee , seal the top , and shake it . Then expect twenty - five minutes before using it .
Use perlite when taking cuttings
Perlite can assist water retention in compost , which can aid improve the chance of your cutting taking root . To do this , you need a type of compost that is made just for cuttings . This type of compost has a finer grain and less nutrient than general - use multi - purpose compost . bring 50/50 perlite to the compost mix , fill the pots , irrigate them well , and then let the compost mix drain for a few minute before putting your cut in it .
cutting can also be rooted in perlite on its own . Moisten the perlite and satiate a polythene dish around a third full . trim back deal or semi - ripe cuttings just below a folio joint and take off the leaves from the bottom one-half to two - thirds of the thinning . Put the shoot ’s bare bottom into the perlite , then gas air travel into the bag and close down the lid . After several weeks , beginning should set forth to make . Once root word are well uprise , the cutting can be taken out and potted up in compost .
Perlite vs Vermiculite
FAQ
Can I mix perlite and vermiculite together ?
When not to practice perlite ?
What is the proportion of perlite to vermiculite mix ?
Can you imbed directly into vermiculite ?
Can you meld perlite and vermiculite ?
you may absolutely mix perlite and vermiculite together to use in your soil . This will help with some water retention prop while also avail drain the grunge and improving filth aeration . The combination is unremarkably not necessary for most plants , as they either care well - enfeeble dirt , or they care systematically dampish soil .
Should you use perlite or vermiculite in your garden ?
Perlite and vermiculite are two common stain amendment that gardeners expend for seed start out , adding to pot mix , and even growing hydroponically . These mineral are often used to better the quality of the soil and each has its own alone benefits . But which one should you practice in your garden ? Here ’s what I ’ve learned over the eld about both .
How much perlite & vermiculite should I put in my soil ?
As much as you postulate , of track , but as a oecumenical formula do n’t exceed 50 % perlite or vermiculite in your soil , potting premix or growing medium . The residue can be compost , peat ( substitute ) or just soil etc . But keep in creative thinker that these are grime improvers , they are not soil !
Is perlite better than vermiculite ?
A : Perlite is better for improving soil aeration and drainage , while vermiculite excels at keep on weewee and nutrients . Perlite has a porous , unpredictable surface , and vermiculite has a superimposed , golden - brown show . Q : When should I use perlite ?
