How to Use Perlite to Improve Soil and Boost Plant Growth

If you’ve ever purchased potted plants or veggie starts, or opened a bag of commercial potting mix, you may have noticed tiny white lumps in the soil that look like Styrofoam bits.

These lumps are called perlite, and they’re not simply fillers or artificial rocks as some might believe.

What is perlite?

First, let’s go over what perlite isn’t: Perlite is not a type of soil, it’s a soil additive that can also be used as a growing medium.

Perlite is not a fertilizer, and has no nutritional or...