Also known as "volcanic popcorn", Perlite is made of amorphous volcanic glass and is typically formed by the hydration of obsidian. It is a white granular material that is made by heating volcanic glass until it expands and ‘pops’, like popcorn. It is sterile, lightweight and has a neutral pH, so it’s very easy to work with.

If you’re looking for an additive to improve the quality of your soil, or even entirely replace the soil, then vermiculite is an attractive option. It is commonly used in soil mixes, as well as by professional gardeners and nursery workers to improve seed germination success and encourage rapid root growth in cuttings.

Whether you are new to container gardening or have been growing greenery this way for years, you know that nutrient-rich soil is the foundation of a thriving plant. If you're hoping to improve your dirt, consider vermiculite, a naturally occurring mineral. Vermiculite can amend your soil for the better or it can be used in a homemade soilless potting mix. Either way, the mineral boosts the health of your container plants and creates a well-draining, nutrient-rich growing medium—whereas standard garden soil can be too dense for container gardens.

Vermiculite is a popular soil additive for houseplants and garden plants that improves soil texture and helps to grow healthy plants. The main benefits of adding vermiculite to soil are better water absorption, retention, and drainage of the soil, thereby regulating the amount of water available to plants.

We all know that plants require soil aeration, nutrition, and water to thrive. If you find that your garden soil is lacking in any or all of these areas, there's something that you can add to improve the soil structure-- vermiculite. What is vermiculite and how is using vermiculite as a growing medium beneficial to the soil?

Vermiculite is a naturally-occurring mineral composed of shiny flakes, resembling mica. When heated to a high temperature, flakes of vermiculite expand as much as 8-30 times their original size. The expanded vermiculite is a light-weight, fire-resistant, and odorless material and has been used in numerous products, including insulation for attics and walls. Sizes of vermiculite products range from very fine particles to large (coarse) pieces nearly an inch long.

Have you ever noticed how some potting mixes sparkle in the sun? That’s because they contain vermiculite, a soil amendment that helps with water retention, aeration and nutrient exchange. Vermiculite is a phyllosilicate mineral that is mined from rocks formed 1.5 to 3 billion years ago. Crude untreated vermiculite is used in a variety of industrial materials. The garden variety of vermiculite is called “exfoliated” vermiculite, which has been treated with extreme heat and pressure to force it to expand. This process creates a porous surface that is great for retaining moisture and nutrients. In the past, some vermiculites contained asbestos. However, those contaminated mines were shut down and modern vermiculite is rigorously tested to make sure it is free of this carcinogen.

What is Vermiculite? Vermiculite is a mineral (aluminum-iron, magnesium), which is mined and processed into granules that may be mixed into the soil to aid in aeration and drainage as well as adding often needed nutrients to the soil. There are several ways in which Vermiculite can enhance your gardening efforts.

It is a silver-gold to gray-brown mineral that is flat and shiny in its natural state. However, vermiculite undergoes significant expansion when subject to elevated temperatures, the raw material exfoliates, leaving a lightweight, inert aggregate. This expanded form has low thermal conductivity, low heat capacity and high thermal insulation properties, it is incombustible, *chemical resistant, odorless, and provides a high level of absorbency and cushioning, making it a great solution for shippers as a hazardous goods packaging material.

The key to great gardening is not only growing sustainably, but knowing the soil that you grow your plants in. Two common choices for soil additives are perlite and vermiculite. They are soil conditioners which could help you unlock lush plants, more delicious produce and fabulously colourful blooms. Check out the facts to make the best choice for you and your garden, whether it’s in your home or outdoors.

Vermiculite is a super water absorbent growing medium which evenly distributes water using capillary action! You can think of vermiculite as being the gardening version of a sponge. Vermiculite is a naturally occurring mineral which expands when heated to high temperatures - forming layered and absorbent strands. Some of its main features are:

Back when I was new to gardening (green, you might say), I walked into a plant nursery looking for perlite, as I’d run out of it for my DIY potting mix.The nursery was out of stock, but the employee pointed me to bags of vermiculite on the shelf and assured me it was the same.

Kick your green thumb up a notch and incorporate additives into soil to help your plants thrive. Vermiculite and perlite are both popular options, but even though they have similar properties, they have different uses. Certain plants prefer different soil amendments and could benefit more from one than the other. This guide will compare vermiculite vs. perlite and help you to choose the best option for your garden or houseplants.

Have you ever noticed how some potting mixes sparkle in the sun? That’s because they contain vermiculite, a soil amendment that helps with water retention, aeration and nutrient exchange. Vermiculite is a phyllosilicate mineral that is mined from rocks formed 1.5 to 3 billion years ago. Crude untreated vermiculite is used in a variety of industrial materials.

Do you need some extra help with your indoor sowings? Why not give vermiculite a try. I go through everything you need to know about the handy mineral in this post.

We all know that plants require soil aeration, nutrition, and water to thrive. If you find that your garden soil is lacking in any or all of these areas, there's something that you can add to improve the soil structure-- vermiculite. What is vermiculite and how is using vermiculite as a growing medium beneficial to the soil?

If you’re looking for an additive to improve the quality of your soil, or even entirely replace the soil, then vermiculite is an attractive option.

These are both naturally occurring mineral additives that have many of the same qualities. They are both used in gardening to improve soil quality, especially aiding with aeration.

Whether you are new to container gardening or have been growing greenery this way for years, you know that nutrient-rich soil is the foundation of a thriving plant.

It's almost time to dig and divide your irises... so now is the perfect time to take a look at soil amendments for better plant health. One of my favorite amendments is horticultural vermiculite.