Perlite - Ask Extension
I finally googled this mystery garbage bag from my parents’ barn,and it said my big bag of white lightweight stuff is perlite. Can you tell me the b...
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Perlite #899062
Asked April 28, 2025, 3:36 PM EDT
I finally googled this mystery garbage bag from my parents’ barn,and it said my big bag of white lightweight stuff is perlite. Can you tell me the best ways to use this? Or how much per size of pot or whatever? I do put old potting dirt in to my flowerbeds, but I wasn’t sure about all the white stuff that I’m putting in the ground. ( I’m not sure what that consists of) But I’m assuming this bag of perlite might disintegrate as it’s incorporated?
Thank you for any suggestions and directions for using this.
Becky Prigge
Henry County Ohio
Expert Response
Thank you for your question about the nature of perlite and how to use it. Perlite is a naturally occuring volcanic material that, when heated to a high temperature, becomes lightweight and porous. It is used in potting mixes to add drainage, aeration, and water retention. It's lightweight nature is also a plus, since it adds little weight to the potting mixes.
Perlite does not hold water or nutrients as well as another often-used product, vermiculite.
You can use your perlite to make your own potting mix. Here's a recipe from PennState Extension:
https://extension.psu.edu/homemade-potting-media
The mix can be used for container plants, as well as growing your own vegetable, herb, and flower plants.
Here's a recipe for using perlite in creating your own houseplant potting mix:
https://www.uaex.uada.edu/yard-garden/home-landscape/house-plants/repotting.aspx
Perlite could be added to garden soils to add porosity and improve drainage, but it's an expensive way to go.
Here's an article about nature and uses of perlite:
https://www.extension.iastate.edu/newsrel/2004/feb04/feb0429.html
Happy gardening,
Perlite does not hold water or nutrients as well as another often-used product, vermiculite.
You can use your perlite to make your own potting mix. Here's a recipe from PennState Extension:
https://extension.psu.edu/homemade-potting-media
The mix can be used for container plants, as well as growing your own vegetable, herb, and flower plants.
Here's a recipe for using perlite in creating your own houseplant potting mix:
https://www.uaex.uada.edu/yard-garden/home-landscape/house-plants/repotting.aspx
Perlite could be added to garden soils to add porosity and improve drainage, but it's an expensive way to go.
Here's an article about nature and uses of perlite:
https://www.extension.iastate.edu/newsrel/2004/feb04/feb0429.html
Happy gardening,
