What is Perlite?
Perlite is an inert substrate classified as a volcanic glass without nutrients that is mixed with soil to promote a proper aeration, density and moisture. On the other hand, it has a neutral pH, so it won’t alter any of the nutrients with which you have mixed your perlite.
Benefits and uses of perlite in crops
Perlite is a versatile mineral used in agriculture to improve soil aeration, enhance water drainage, and promote root development. Its lightweight nature prevents soil compaction and allows for better nutrient absorption, leading to healthier and more productive crops.
What is perlite used for?
Additionally, perlite helps to regulate soil temperature, protects plants from extreme conditions, and fosters optimal growth, making it a valuable resource for farmers and gardeners alike.
Use perlite to boost your aid drainage
The porous structure of this material facilitates an excellent drainage in soils, preventing overwatered roots and reducing the risk of rot. Mixing perlite into the soil or using it as a top dressing improves the soil structure, ensuring plants receive adequate oxygen and nutrients for optimal growth.
How much perlite to add to potting soil
For most plants, adding 10-20% perlite to potting soil is the perfect proportion to enhance the soil's porosity and to prevent it from becoming compacted, allowing for better airflow and water drainage, resulting in healthier plants.
Use perlite in seed sowing
Perlite is an excellent medium for seed starting. Mixing it with potting soil (50:50 ratio) creates a lightweight and well-draining environment, promoting successful germination and reducing the risk of seedling damping-off disease. Its low density also makes it easy for young roots to penetrate, ensuring a strong start for seedlings.
Top 3 perlite soil additive products for sale
In case you don’t know which product is the best one for your plants’ growth, we’ve selected some of the best perlite and perlite-based substrate products of our catalog at the best price on the market, so you can compare them and get an idea of what you need.
Biobizz Light Mix
With Light Mix by Biobizz, you’ll be able to grow cannabis in warm, dry environments thanks to the high water and oxygen retention capacity of this perlite substrate. This way, you won’t have to water as often as you would without this wonderful mix.
Top Crop Complete Mix 50L
Perfect for the growing stage, rooting clones and for maintaining mother plants, this perlite-based substrate also contains worm humus and other great ingredients such as coco coir, macro and micronutrients of the best quality.
Boom Nutrients All Mix
All Mix by Boom Nutrients is made of worm humus, perlite and bat guano among other compounds to promote a perfect growth while adding an extra P-K during the flowering stage of your plants.
Using perlite in hydroponics
Perlite’s lightweight structure promotes easy root growth and nutrient absorption while preventing waterlogged conditions. As a growing medium, perlite provides stability and support for plants without impeding their access to oxygen, making it an ideal substrate for hydroponic cultivation.
Can you use perlite and vermiculite together?
Yes, perlite and vermiculite can be combined to create a well-balanced growing medium. Gardeners often use a 50-50 ratio of perlite and vermiculite, but the proportions can be adjusted depending on the specific needs of the plants being grown.
Perlite and its role in water saving in gardening
Perlite has a natural porous and coarse, absorbent texture that helps to increase aeration and drainage. Thus, apart from helping you to save on water, it also prevents soil compaction by reducing pore space and size, maintaining air and easing the water flow.
Where to buy Perlite
Don’t look any further! At GB The Green Brand, we work daily to approach our products to customers so they can enhance the quality of their crops. That's why you’ll find here the best perlite and perlite-based products on the market at the best price without losing any quality at all.
FAQs about Perlite
What is perlite used for?
Perlite is primarily used as a soil amendment to improve aeration, drainage, and moisture retention in gardening and horticulture.
What is perlite made of?
Perlite is a naturally occurring volcanic glass that forms when obsidian, a type of volcanic rock, undergoes rapid heating.
Is perlite the same as fertilizer?
No, perlite is not a fertilizer, but an inert material that does not provide any nutrients to plants. Instead, it enhances soil structure and drainage, promoting better root growth and nutrient uptake when mixed with fertilizers or nutrient-rich potting mixes.
Can you use just perlite for plants?
Perlite alone does not provide the necessary nutrients for plant growth. However, it can be an essential component when combined with other materials like vermiculite, coco coir, or peat moss, to create a suitable environment for plant cultivation.
