Its unique shape traps water and nutrients, which can be extracted by plant roots as needed. This means you need to water less often than you would with soil that does not contain vermiculite. Helps with aeration, although if this is your primary goal in using a soil additive, you should instead choose perlite. Because it is a sterile medium, it is great for starting seeds and for propagating cuttings.
Using plenty of vermiculite—or even straight vermiculite-can prevent bacterial and fungal problems such as damping off and root rot. Improves drainage and lightens the soil in the garden, in raised beds, or in pots. The vermiculite will help hold moisture near the seeds to improve germination. Vermiculite can also be used for storing bulbs and root crops over winter. It will soak up any excess moisture from the air or the surface of the roots and bulbs, without desiccating the roots and bulbs themselves.
Just layer the vermiculite and the roots or bulbs, and store in a cool, dry place away from sunlight. Your worm bin can also benefit from the addition of vermiculite.
Just add a handful to provide the grit your worms need to digest their food. Vermiculite is used similarly to perlite, pumice, biochar and rice hulls.
Each has its own pros and cons, and they can be used in combination to get the most benefits. Compared to these other soil amendments, vermiculite is best for areas and plants that require plenty of moisture, as it has the best water retention. It is not as good at aerating as perlite, so for heavy soils you should use perlite instead or in combination. The perfect seasonal addition to your garden, these low-maintenance expertly trained evergreen trees can be enjoyed for years to come.
Home How to Grow plants Vermiculite: main uses. This review contains affiliate links and we may receive a commission for purchases made. Please read our affiliates FAQ page to find out more. What is vermiculite? How to use vermiculite — covering a seed tray with vermiculite. How to use vermiculite — perlite in compost. Subscribe now. Buy now for spring flowers.
Hurry - limited time only. Ends in: 12h 5m 16s. Christmas Wreath-Making. Buy early bird ticket now. Offer Ends: Sunday, 28 November, This weekend only - buy now. That means vermiculite is a permanent way to amend and improve your soil. How much perlite to add depends on what you want to grow.
For seed starting, use half perlite and half peat. Cuttings can be rooted in this same mixture, or you can increase the perlite up to percent. For potted plants, use one third perlite and two thirds potting soil. Garden beds get a two-inch layer of perlite mixed into the top six to 12 inches of your garden soil. Although perlite does resemble Styrofoam, it is not Styrofoam.
Perlite is a naturally occurring volcanic rock that has been heated and crushed until it changes in color and texture. Perlite is an excellent amendment for clay soil when you want to increase the drainage and aeration of the soil.
Till or loosen your clay soil to a depth of six to 12 inches, then spread a four-inch layer of perlite across the top. Mix the perlite into the soil you already loosened. If your clay soil could use a boost of organic material, use half perlite and half peat for this process.
The drainage and air circulation perlite offers makes it an excellent soil amendment for growing succulents. Use one part potting soil choosing one without vermiculite that offers excellent drainage , one part coarse sand, and one part perlite. Perlite can be processed organically.
Vermiculite can be organic, but it is not always organic. Vermiculite is a naturally occurring mineral that humans mine, heat up, and package for gardeners to use. When the mining and processing is done organically, vermiculite is organic. As a naturally occurring mineral, vermiculite is very safe to use. Rumors to the contrary that you may have heard are linked to one mine, which is now closed, which produced vermiculite tainted with asbestos fibers.
Vermiculite currently on the market does not contain asbestos. Vermiculite in potting soil also helps the soil retain nutrients and keep them available for plants. Perlite specializes in aerating soil and helping it to drain quickly. That makes perlite beneficial for plants that are susceptible to rot diseases.
Adding perlite to your soil also increases humidity, which some plants need to thrive. Perlite is also an excellent option for rooting cuttings or growing cacti, succulents, and epiphytes. Perlite is made from volcanic glass obsidian with water trapped inside that is then superheated by humans and crushed until it changes in color and texture.
The water trapped in the volcanic glass has a popcorn-like reaction when superheated and crushed, turning the substance white and making it foam-like. Vermiculite aerates soil and increases its ability to retain moisture holding more water for longer and retain nutrients, making them more consistently available to your plants.
Epic Gardening covers Perlite vs Vermiculite. Love to Know covers Vermiculite for Gardening. Maximum Yield covers Perlite for Hydroponic Gardens. Washington Post covers More on Potting Mix. I want to plant ground cover roses and dwarf pines in my front yard. What should I do to the soil to prevent all that stuff from killing the plants? The yard is rocks. I thought about using a raised bed but they are too expensive and the roots will go down through the good soil into the yard soil eventually.
The article was interesting but was recommending peat to be used in the potting mixes. Is this the right thing to do when we are supposed to be using less peat and preserving our peat uplands and lowlands? I want to plant bulbs in clay soil. How much perlite should I put below the bulb for better aeration?
Does it need to be mixed in with the soil or can I just put down a perlite layer mixed with bone meal, then place the bulb on top? Your email address will not be published. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Notify me of new posts by email. Our gardening obsessed editors and writers choose every product we review.
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