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PLANT!T Perlite is a lightweight, sterile substrate additive. It dramatically improves aeration and drainage in all potting mixes, preventing compaction and over-watering. Ideal for rooting cuttings and increasing oxygen levels for stronger root development.
Revolutionise your growing media with PLANT!T Perlite, the lightweight, natural, and sterile substrate additive. Derived from expanded volcanic glass, Perlite is universally trusted by growers for its ability to dramatically improve aeration and drainage in any potting mix. Its porous structure creates essential air pockets, preventing compaction, increasing oxygen levels in the root zone, and ensuring excess water drains freely. This leads to healthier, stronger roots, enhanced nutrient uptake, and superior growth across all cultivation methods, from soil to hydroponics.
Key Benefits of PLANT!T Perlite
- Exceptional Aeration: The highly porous structure ensures high air content in the root zone, crucial for strong root development and preventing common problems like root rot.
- Superior Drainage: Rapidly improves the drainage capacity of heavy soils and coco coir mixes, making it harder to over-water plants and ideal for automated irrigation systems.
- Neutral pH & Inert: A sterile, pH neutral (approx. 7) medium that does not react with chemicals or nutrients, giving you complete control over your feed solution.
- Versatile Propagation Medium: Excellent for rooting cuttings and seed germination, as its superior air-to-water ratio reduces the risk of 'damping off' and encourages fast, healthy root strike.
- Permanent Soil Improvement: As it is durable and does not decompose over time, adding Perlite permanently improves the structure and texture of potting soil and garden beds.
How to Use PLANT!T Perlite
PLANT!T Perlite is ready for direct use, but always pre-moisten it slightly before handling to minimise dust inhalation.
- For Potting Mixes (Soil/Coco): To improve structure, drainage, and aeration, mix Perlite directly into your growing media. A common ratio is 1 part Perlite to 3 parts soil/coco, but this can be increased up to 50% for plants that require very sharp drainage (like cacti or succulents). Use with products like Ecothrive Coco Lite Mix for a high-aeration blend.
- For Propagation/Cuttings: Use pure PLANT!T Perlite or a 50/50 mix with a light compost (Biobizz Light-Mix) to strike cuttings. Keep the medium consistently moist and feed with a root stimulator like House & Garden Roots Excelurator once roots are established.
- Hydroponic Use: Perlite can be used as a standalone medium in drip feeding or top-fed systems. Rinse thoroughly before use to prevent dust particles from blocking drippers or filters.
- Soil Conditioning: Mix a layer into heavy clay soils in garden beds to loosen the texture, improve drainage, and help oxygen reach the root zone.
PLEASE NOTE: The 100 litre bags can only be shipped to Mainland UK, incurs a heavy item surcharge and is excluded from our free shipping offer.
Available in 10 litres and 100 litres.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Perlite a fertiliser and does it provide nutrients to my plants?
No. Perlite is a chemically inert material. It is not a fertiliser and contains virtually no nutrient value. Its primary role is to improve the physical properties of the growing medium, enhancing water delivery and nutrient uptake by facilitating better aeration and root growth.Can I reuse Perlite from a previous grow?
Yes, Perlite is highly durable and can be reused. Because it is inert and does not decompose, simply remove any old root material, rinse the Perlite thoroughly with water, and then sterilise it (e.g., with a mild bleach solution or Liquid Oxygen) to ensure it is free of any potential pathogens before replanting.Should I use Perlite or PLANT!T Vermiculite?
The choice depends on your goal: Perlite excels at increasing drainage and aeration in the soil to prevent overwatering. PLANT!T Vermiculite is better used when you need to retain more water and nutrients, making it ideal for starting seeds or plants that require constantly moist soil.Is Perlite toxic or dangerous to handle?
Perlite itself is a natural, non-toxic material derived from volcanic rock. However, the fine dust it can generate when dry is considered a nuisance dust. We recommend moistening the Perlite before handling and mixing it in a well-ventilated area to reduce dust, or wearing a simple dust mask.SKU: 1059Free delivery on orders over £60*
- UK Mainland onlyStandard Delivery £4.95
- Heavy / Large item surcharge £2 per item
- 1-3 Days**
- UK Mainland onlyExpress Delivery £8.95*
- Next Working Day**
- UK Mainland onlyScottish Highlands £15.95*
- 2-5 Days***Can not be used with Heavy / Large items
**If ordered on a working day before 2pm cut off (Saturday and Sunday are not classed as working days).Please See Delivery and Returns page for more details.