What is Perlite? What is its use in the garden?

Have you ever used a bag of commercial potting soil? If so, you may have noticed small white objects that look like styrofoam balls in the mix. These little balls are a type of mineral product called perlite. Every ingredient in those mixes have a beneficial effect on plants, and perlite is no exception. If you want to become good at gardening or hydroponics, perlite can be your best friend. Seasoned gardeners swear by this mineral, and use it extensively in their horticultural endeavors. What is so special about these queer, innocuous-looking balls? Learn more in our in-depth guide to all things perlite. Dont know where to find a good perlite product on the market? Heres our favorite brand.

What is Perlite?

Perlite is the name of a naturally occurring mineral. In nature, it exists as a type of volcanic glass, created when the volcanic obsidian glass gets saturated with water over a long