Perlite Vs Vermiculite: Which One To Choose?

An additive is significant to the soil. They improve the growing environment of the soil. Perlite and vermiculite are the most popular additives. But many of us get confused between them. It is essential to know about them. They have a lot of differences and uses. So after various tests, we have come with a comparison between Perlite Vs Vermiculite. 

Our Verdict

The plants and the needs of the user will help the user decide. They both are perfect additives. There is never a winner between them. They both have their unique purposes. 

Perlite is very good for clayey soils. They are even perfect for improving aeration in the soil. When the user needs to change pots, perlite is the best to use. There are even different grades of perlite. They can even reduce changes in soil temperatures. 

Vermiculite is very good at keeping the plants moist. It won’t break down in the soil. They can increase the strength of the seedlings. They can even help in holding water for a longer time. Now let’s get deeper to the subject and make our comparisons.

Perlite Vs Vermiculite: Comparison Chart

Perlite Vs Vermiculite: Differences

1. Structure

Perlite looks like white granules. They are odorless. They even look more like small plastic balls. They are white and have sharp edges. They are porous too. They have a harder body. Vermiculite is shinier than the latter. They are golden brown. They are clean and odorless. They are softer than perlite. 

Bottom Line: Perlite and vermiculite have a different structure. 

2. Formation

Both of them come from rocks. Perlite comes from volcanic rocks. The rocks get crushed until they explode. Then they transform into small pieces. They have silica and some water molecules inside them. There is even a pearly shine on the rock’s surface. Vermiculite has different varieties of minerals. They come from ores that have silica, magnesium oxide, and alumina. They formed shapes of worms when Mr. Thomas Webb found it. Thus he named it from the “vermiculite,” which is a worm in Italy.

Bottom Line: Both of them form from different sources.

3. Water-Holding Capacity

The vermiculite is relatively softer than perlite. These soft particles can soak up water. They absorb the water. This is very good for plants that need moist soil. Perlite stores water by holding it in the bubbles. They do not absorb the water like the latter. This makes water drain away from the spaces faster.

Bottom Line: Vermiculite has a way better water-retaining capacity. They can hold water much more than perlite.

4. Aeration

Both of them as additives improve the aeration of the soil. They contain the spaces to let in oxygen. Vermiculite has medium air porosity. They can offer more water and less aeration. They can provide spaces for air but not as much as perlite. Perlite has very high air porosity. They have more spaces between the particles, which gives space for air. There are three different grades of perlite. They are medium, coarse, and fine. The coarse grade perlite has the best air porosity. They are even perfect for a plant that needs excellent drainage.

Bottom Line: Perlite provides more aeration than vermiculite. 

5. pH

Soil pH is significant. Perlite is a bit alkaline. Perlite does not contribute much to pH buffering. Vermiculite is much neutral. They have a high capacity in pH buffering.

Bottom Line: The pH factor is different in both. It should be a factor to consider before choosing the additive.

Perlite Vs Vermiculite: Similarities

• Perlite and vermiculite have some similarities to talk about. Both of them are very light in weight. They can improve the aeration and texture of the potting soil. Both of them are sterile and insect free. They will never rot or decompose. 
• Many pesticides and fertilizers have perlite and vermiculite as carriers. They are even used as substitutes for sand in soilless potting mixes. They do not have any odor in them. They are non-toxic too. 

Features Of Perlite

Perlite is clean and sterile. They contain about 6 percent of water. They can loosen the heavy soil. The volcanic rocks get heated to puff up into white balls. The hidden nooks hold the water and air on the surface. They help the soil to dry out completely between watering. The porous nature allows excess water to drain away faster. They contribute no chemical to the soil. They have a neutral pH level. They have a pH of 6.6 to 7.5. 

The most prominent feature of perlite is aeration. It can improve the aeration of the soil and can give them better drainage too. They can even increase the amount of oxygen access for the roots. The space between the particles helps to trap the air. They are even used as protective coatings. Pelleted seeds are a good example where perlite acts as a protective coating. They won’t mold or rot. The lightweight makes them float on the top of potted plants. They even have low nutrient retention ratings. It doesn’t hold much water but can boost the humidity. 

Features Of Vermiculite

Vermiculite is a mineral product and gets mined out of the ground. It composes of magnesium-aluminum-iron silicate. They increase the water retention of the plant. The layers help in trapping water. This makes it perfect to act as an anti-caking agent in fertilizers. They help in loosening the heavy soil. They help the soil to stay damp and never let them dry out. They interact with the calcium and potassium in the soil.

They have a pH of 7. They can help in raising the pH by a minimal amount. The most significant advantage of vermiculite is the water holding capacity. They absorb more water. They can absorb four times their volume when water is added. They act like a sponge and absorb water. They don’t aerate the soil like perlite. They can keep the moisture and plant nutrients. Water-loving plants will love the addition of vermiculite. They can help them stay moist always.

Some Top Perlite Brands

1. Espoma PR8 8-Quart Organic Perlite

They are 100 percent natural and are very apt for organic gardening. They help in preventing compaction. They are one of the best in the market. 

2. Hoffman 16504 Horticultural Perlite

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They are 18 quarts and is an American product. They are of premium quality and very good for horticulture. They could even help in building soil fewer mixes. 

Some Top Vermiculite Brands

1. 8QT Professional Grade Vermiculite

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They are very efficient and popular. They are 8 quarts. They are a “good earth” horticultural vermiculite. They can propagate cuttings and store bulbs too.

2. Espoma Organic Vermiculite

They are a 100 percent natural vermiculite. They are perfect for improving heavy soils. They are 8 quarts. They can enhance the aeration of the soil. They are the best choice for organic gardening. 

FAQs

Conclusion

Perlite and vermiculite are never the same. They both have many differences and are very useful for the soil. Even though they share many similar qualities, they have different uses. If not used for the proper plant, they may disturb the growth of the plant.

Perlite has a slightly alkaline nature. They don’t hold water for very long but can maintain humidity. Their chief use is improving the aeration of the soil. They are also a perfect choice for plants that need to drain out faster.

Vermiculite is neutral and is best for plants that love water. They can absorb water more but don’t aerate much. They are better to start the seeds because of the protection they provide. They can hold moisture for more time too.

These additives are vital for the plants. Choosing the right additive will improve the strength and growth of your plant. I hope your dilemma between perlite and vermiculite is now over.