Perlite

What is it?

Perlite is a lightweight, porous volcanic material produced by heating volcanic glass. It is mainly used to increase aeration and drainage while keeping the substrate lightweight.

💧Water retention -

💨Aeration -

🚿Drainage -

⚖️Weight -

🧪Nutrient holding -

🌿Organic -

Depends on particle size

High

High

Very low

Very low

No

What does it do?

✅Best use for:

Aroids - Acclimatization - Propagation - Organic mixes - Carnivorous plants

🔬LOPOLISBIOTECH observations

Increases air space around roots
Improves drainage
Keeps substrates lightweight
Helps prevent compaction
Holds some moisture inside its pores
Provides stable physical structure

Perlie behaves differently depending on its particle size only.

Fine perlite - holds some moisture and provides less air space.

Larger perlite - create more air space and improve drainage a lot!

Very fine perlite can gradually move downward through a substrate and change the structure over time.

💡 Key point: Perlite is primarily a structure and aeration material, rather than a nutrient-holding component.