Potting Media
Use
Lightweight Perlite Granules for Better Soil Aeration & Drainage
Horticultural Perlite is an amorphous volcanic glass that expands significantly when heated to approximately 850–900°C. The expansion creates lightweight, porous white granules with a structure that helps improve soil aeration, drainage and root development. Perlite is an inorganic, long-lasting growing medium that can be used in potting mixes, propagation, seed starting and hydroponic systems.
Properties
- Expands significantly when heated, forming lightweight, porous granules
- Raw perlite density: approximately 1100 kg/m³; expanded perlite: approximately 30–150 kg/m³
- Neutral to near-neutral pH of approximately 6.5–7.5
- Sterile and inorganic, making it suitable for clean growing media
- Lightweight, odorless and long-lasting
- Provides insulation against fluctuations in growing-medium temperature
Characteristics
- Improves aeration and drainage in pots and growing mixes
- Helps reduce soil compaction and creates more air space around roots
- Supports healthy root development by improving the physical structure of the growing medium
- Inorganic and durable, so it does not readily decompose or deteriorate
- Does not supply significant plant nutrients and is primarily used to improve growing-medium structure
Applications
- Plant rooting and propagation
- Seed starting and seedling mixes
- Potting mixes for indoor and outdoor plants
- Soil conditioning for containers and garden beds
- Hydroponic and soilless growing systems
- Growing media for plants that require good drainage and aeration
How to Use Horticultural Perlite
Potting Mixes: Mix perlite with potting soil, cocopeat or other growing media to improve aeration and drainage. The proportion can be adjusted according to the plant and the characteristics of the other ingredients.
Seed Starting: Perlite can be incorporated into seed-starting mixes to create a light, well-aerated growing medium that supports developing roots.
Propagation: Perlite can be used on its own or blended with other propagation media for rooting cuttings. Its porous structure provides good air space around developing roots.
Succulents & Cacti: Adding perlite to suitable succulent and cactus growing mixes can improve drainage and reduce the risk of a dense, compact growing medium.
Hydroponics: Perlite can be used as a lightweight growing medium in suitable hydroponic and soilless growing systems.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is horticultural perlite?
Horticultural perlite is a lightweight, porous material made by heating volcanic glass. It is commonly added to growing media to improve aeration, drainage and root-zone structure.
What is perlite used for in plants?
Perlite is used to improve aeration and drainage in potting mixes, seed-starting media, propagation mixes and hydroponic growing systems. It also helps reduce soil compaction.
Does perlite improve soil drainage?
Yes. Its porous structure creates additional air spaces within the growing medium, allowing excess water to drain more freely and improving aeration around plant roots.
Does perlite retain water?
Perlite can hold a small amount of moisture within its pores while allowing excess water to drain away. It is therefore useful for balancing moisture retention with good drainage in growing mixes.
Is perlite a fertilizer?
No. Perlite is an inorganic growing-medium amendment and does not provide significant plant nutrients. Its primary purpose is to improve the physical structure, aeration and drainage of the growing medium.
Can perlite be used for seed starting?
Yes. Perlite can be incorporated into seed-starting mixes to create a lightweight and well-aerated medium that supports developing roots.
Can perlite be used for succulents and cacti?
Yes. Perlite can be added to suitable succulent and cactus mixes to improve drainage and reduce compaction, particularly where the existing growing medium retains too much moisture.
Can perlite be used for hydroponics?
Yes. Horticultural perlite can be used as a lightweight growing medium in suitable hydroponic and other soilless growing systems.
Can plants grow in perlite alone?
Some plants can be propagated or grown in perlite-based soilless systems, but perlite itself does not provide significant nutrients. Plants grown in perlite alone require an appropriate nutrient solution.
What is the difference between perlite and vermiculite?
Perlite is primarily used to improve aeration and drainage, while vermiculite has greater moisture- and nutrient-retaining properties. They can also be combined in growing mixes when both characteristics are desirable.
What size are these perlite granules?
The granule size of this horticultural perlite is approximately 1–5 mm.
Size
Granule Size: 2–7 mm
Storage
Store horticultural perlite in a dry, covered place away from excessive moisture. Keep the bag sealed when not in use to prevent contamination and unnecessary dust.
Complementary Products
For balanced growing mixes, combine perlite with vermiculite where additional moisture retention is required. You can also explore our range of growing media, including cocopeat and compost, to create suitable mixes for seeds, containers and hydroponic growing.
