Kitchen Garden Forum

Both seem to do the same job when added to compost for potting up etc water retention,opening up said compost.using as a medium in which to grow cuttings.What is the difference between them,if any?If you use either of them,what for and how and why?

Hi Snooky, for some reason, I use perlite in my houseplant mix and vermiculite in outdoor pots. I think that vermiculite is better for water retention, perlite is better for drainage, lessening the chance of root rot.

I sometimes use fine vermiculite as a seed cover but I use sharp sand in compost mixes, never tried perlite.

I use vermiculite mainly because of price as found I could get 100l for under £20 where as perlite was over £20.

The first bag I brought was for raised beds when following the square foot gardening, now use it for mixing with homemade compost for seeds and potting on.

retropants wrote: ↑Mon Oct 27, 2025 9:30 am I think that vermiculite is better for water retention, perlite is better for drainage

This is my thought too.