perlite for plants 5 litres
Would you like to give your plants a more open growing medium with better drainage? Perlite for plants is a lightweight, porous mineral of volcanic origin that expands when heated to high temperatures. Mixed into compost or potting mix, it helps improve aeration, encourages excess water to drain away and creates more favourable conditions for healthy root development.
Perlite, also known as expanded perlite, (also volcanic popcorn, pomice or volcanic glass) is a natural volcanic mineral that undergoes a heating process at extreme temperatures (around 900 to 1100 °C).
This 5-litre bag of perlite is a practical addition to growing mixes for indoor and outdoor plants, foliage plants, ornamental plants and many other species grown in pots. Its lightweight structure helps improve the growing medium without adding much weight. It is an easy way to tailor your potting mix to the needs of your plants.
dimensions and features
- Capacity: 5 litres (1.32 US gallons or approximately 1.10 UK gallons)
- Product: expanded perlite for plants
- Origin: volcanic mineral processed at high temperatures
- Texture: lightweight and porous
- Use: to mix into growing media and potting compost
- Application: suitable for indoor and outdoor plants, especially those grown in pots and planters
- Quantity: 1 bag
why buy perlite for your plants?
- Improves growing medium aeration: helps create air spaces in the mix, giving plant roots a better-aerated environment.
- Encourages better drainage: helps excess water drain away when used in a suitable mix and with a pot that has drainage holes.
- Helps reduce waterlogging: a well-aerated, free-draining growing medium reduces the risk of roots remaining in waterlogged conditions for too long.
- Lightweight and easy to mix: its low weight makes it useful for preparing potting mixes without adding unnecessary weight to containers.
- Ideal for custom potting mixes: combine it with different growing media to suit your plants and growing conditions.
- Suitable for indoor and outdoor plants: useful in a wide range of mixes for ornamental plants, provided the blend is suited to each species.
- Stable mineral material: perlite does not provide nutrients by itself, so it can be combined with compost and fertiliser appropriate for your plants.
- Convenient 5-litre bag: a handy size for preparing growing mixes, refreshing potting compost or repotting several plants.
how to use perlite
MIXING WITH POTTING COMPOST: mix perlite into your growing medium to improve its structure, aeration and drainage. The amount you need will depend on the plant species, the other ingredients in the mix and your watering routine. Plants that require particularly free-draining conditions may need a different blend from those that prefer more moisture retention.
PREPARING POTS AND PLANTERS: mix the perlite evenly into the growing medium before planting or repotting. Use containers with drainage holes and tailor the mix to the requirements of each plant.
IMPROVING COMPACTED GROWING MEDIA: if your potting mix holds too much water or compacts easily, adding perlite may help improve its structure. Bear in mind that the result also depends on the other ingredients, the container and your watering habits.
TIP: avoid inhaling dust when handling perlite. Add it carefully and lightly dampen it if necessary to help minimise airborne dust.