I was initially confused about the difference between perlite and vermiculite while growing plants, but I eventually learned that they have significant differences. There are likely many others who are in the same situation or already know the distinctions. If you’re unsure about the differences between them, you’ve come to the right place.

In this article, I’ll outline the features that set perlite and vermiculite apart from each other. Vermiculite or perlite? Let’s resolve your confusion and explore the benefits of each. Without further ado, let’s dive into their respective advantages.

Quick takeaways:

• The plants get maximum good things from the soil from water, nutrients, air, etc.
• The soil should be fertile to serve nutrients to the plants.
• Vermiculite and perlite are among the good things that are seen to be beneficial for plants and are great in keeping moisture intact in the soil, improving the quality of the soil.

Characteristics of Perlite vs. Vermiculite

Characteristics	Perlite	Vermiculite
Ideal for seed starting or blending into potting mixes	Yes	Yes
Approved for organic gardening	Yes	Yes
Loosens heavy, compacted soil	Best	Good
Provides drainage	Best	Good
Retains moisture and nutrients	Good	Best
pH level	7.0 to 7.5	7.0 to 7.5
Decomposes in soil	No	No

What is Perlite?

Perlite looks like pearls, not the same but the French word ‘per’ is there in perlite which means pearls as they are white round and shaped like coarse white powder, and can be made into fine white powder if crushed. The perlite is made from heated volcanic rock which expands and gets very brittle and gets converted to lightweight rocks having high porosity. The white rock was later crushed into tiny white pieces. The perlite is added to the soil and soil mixes are prepared which have water retention and low nutrient retention. Perlite is used in soil to improve the texture and improve the drainage capacity of the soil.

What is Vermiculite?

Vermiculite is different from perlite(from volcanic glass), they are made from a mineral that is heated and expanded. The mineral is magnesium aluminum silicate that is mined out from the ground and then blended with the soil and looks like worms that’s why the name vermiculite. The vermiculite is mixed with the soil to increase water retention and nutrient retention in the soil.

Does vermiculite contain asbestos?

Straightly put, vermiculite does not contain any asbestos naturally anymore, instead many times vermiculite can get contaminated by asbestos. The Libby Mine that was later shut down used to have asbestos in vermiculite which is naturally present asbestos, referred to as tremolite-actinolite. Many observations and research have brought out the fact that vermiculite is free from asbestos.

Benefits of perlite

Perlite being lightweight and porous has really good water retention and even excellent drainage capability. Actually, in the soil, they added, indulges such qualities in that soil. The perlite just doesn’t do this but also provides proper aeration to the plants as they have good porosity. The perlite is added to the seed starting mix to enhance the quality. They are added to the soil and even are great for soilless gardening. They reduce the soil’s rigidness or compactness. The perlite is nontoxic are safe to use. The vermiculite is best for keeping the soil conditions dry.

Benefits of Vermiculite 

Vermiculite is again good for water retention and nutrient retention in the soil. The vermiculite is mixed with potting soil and used for plants that love a lot of water. The vermiculite gets easily blended with the soil. It is again nontoxic to use in the garden. The moisture in soil stays for a long if vermiculite is there in the soil. 

What’s the difference between Perlite and Vermiculite? – Perlite vs Vermiculite

The perlite and vermiculite being prepared from different stuff and almost having similar properties, still, have differences that are in their water retention capability. Both of them are disease-resistant, and insect-resistant, they are used in germination, propagation, seed starting, and cultivation of plants indoors even without using the soil if you want. 

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As per water retention, both of them are good, but vermiculite is best for retaining the water in the soil and making the water-loving plants happy. The vermiculite also goes well with dry fertilizer, etc. 

Perlite is best suited for plants that need more dry-like conditions. The plants mostly succulents want such conditions, for which vermiculite if used, will cause root rot and fungal infection due to the water staying near the roots for a long. 

Most of the other qualities of perlite and vermiculite are almost similar in drainage, loosening the soil, etc. Perlite is too porous and vermiculite is less water retainer. The vermiculite is compressible and soaks the water whereas the perlite stores water and can drain water quite quickly than the vermiculite. 

When to use Perlite?

The soil when seems to be too tight and compact, can use the perlite in the heavy clay soil to loosen it up and bring some porosity into it. If the soil gets too wet or soggy for a long time, you need to repot the plant or do some modifications to the soil so that the soil is drained and a little dry too. While you repotting the plant, mix perlite with the potting soil so that the root rot doesn’t destroy succulents that usually like the drained and dry soil. The soil needs to be watered but the plants if want dry conditions as well need to add perlite.

When to use Vermiculite?

Vermiculite is best suited for starting the seeds with good water-retaining ability, keeping the soil moist. The good moisture will help the seeds to germinate well. The plants that are in the garden get dry quickly in direct sunlight, and the soil can be kept moist by adding vermiculite. The plants that need much water will also grow well in the vermiculite soil mix. The perlite can still go well indoors, but using vermiculite outdoors is more favorable. 

Reasons perlite and vermiculite are used in horticulture:

• The perlite and vermiculite have been used in horticulture for many decades. 
• As they do have specific physical characteristics that help the growth to provide a distinct benefit.
• Basically, the light is being prized because they do helps aerate growing media and helps in improving the drainage. 
• The vermiculite is an expert for stabilizing the soil moisture level.
• They are available in lightweight material which do have different grades depending upon the size of the material. 
• They are used by the gardener and horticulturist; they do have greater flexibility and are more useful than others. 

Nutritional content of perlite and vermiculite

• The perlite and vermiculite do have a good capacity to hold the nutrients that help as a growing medium. 
• The capacity of holding the material is called the cation exchange capacity meaning this capacity is used to measure the potential of the material for grabbing the molecules.
• The CEC is being affected by many compositions of soil types such as Garden soil, and potting mix.
• In simple words, we can say that questions are the molecules that have a positive charge and can get attracted to a negatively charged molecule. 
• For example, clay soil does have high CEC capacity which makes them attract more free nutrient molecules.
• Many other organic matters do have high CEC measures such as coconut coir, compost, and Peat Moss. 
• The CEC value in the vermiculite and perlite is also low. 
• The perlite is compost that does not contain essential plant nutrition but the vermiculite does contain potassium and magnesium but this doesn’t mean you only depend upon these materials.

Footnote of the context

We hope you are clear-headed now about which substance you will be buying according to your garden, plants, and the spot they are at. Vermiculite and perlite are both excellent in retaining water and doing their work well but a difference still needs to be made as they retain water at different levels, vermiculite is best for the plants that love it while the perlite goes best for the succulents that like the dry soil. We hope that this article was helpful to you in making up your mind and understanding the difference between vermiculite and perlite. Happy planting!