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What is the difference between vermiculite and perlite?
Written by Martin Meuldijk | Last update 06-11-2020
What is vermiculite?
Vermiculite is a mineral that exfoliates (expands) like a harmonica when heated. This creates a very light grain with a large capacity to retain water and moist. Because of this property, vermiculite is a popular choice as (an additive to) a substrate in sowing, cutting and propagation businesses in the horticultural sector. This water and moist retaining capacity ensures that, on the one hand, irrigation water is retained, thus significantly reducing the drainage of nutrients in the process and, on the other, that the soil structure remains airy and oxygen-rich, so that plants can easily grow roots. Furthermore, vermiculite is often used as a cover layer to allow seeds to germinate, or as a propagation medium for bulbs. That is vermiculite, but what is the difference between vermiculite and perlite.
Vermiculite is available in different grain sizes:
Vermiculite 1: 0 - 1.5 mm
Vermiculite 2: 0 - 3 mm This is used for covering flower seed, to promote the germination of the seeds.
Vermiculite 3: 0 - 5 mm This is used for covering vegetable seeds and for mixing in potting compost.
Vermiculite 4: 0 - 10 mm This is used in bulb propagation during packaging.