Comparison Table
| Pumice | Perlite | |
| Color | Pure white | Black or grey |
| Porosity | Very porous and light-weight | Comparatively less porous, heavier |
| Mined From | Mostly from United States, Turkey, Japan ... | United Staes, Mexico |
| Cost | Costly | Cheaper |
What is the difference between perlite&pumice?
In soil mixes, perlite tends to float to the top of the soil, spilling over the edge of a pot when watered. It usually costs less than pumice and is manufactured in different grades, weighing as little as 2 pounds per cubic foot. It is chemically inert, has a pH of about 7 and provides no nutrients to plants.
Is perlite or pumice better for succulents?
Both pumice and perlite create spaces in potting mediums for water and air. Neither retains water, unlike vermiculite, another soil amendment. For plants like succulents that need excellent drainage, adding one-fourth to one-third perlite or pumice to the potting soil makes over-watering much more difficult.
What is the difference between vermiculite and pumice?
Vermiculite and pumice are both soil amendments and solo growing substrates. Both substrates retain water for improved moisture retention in soil, and both provide improved aeration in soil. Vermiculite holds more water than pumice, though pumice aerates soil better due to its hard structure.
Should I add perlite or pumice to my potting mix?
Adding perlite or pumice will drastically improve your potting mixes and make a huge difference in the health of your plants. Keep reading to find out the pros and cons of using perlite vs pumice.
Is perlite or pumice better?
Pumice is heavier than its leading competitor Perlite, which forces it to stay mixed into your soil so it won't float to the top of your containers and blow away. Lastly, pumice will never decompose, so it never needs replacing (unlike Coco Coir and Peat Moss that tends to rot and must be removed.)
Can I substitute perlite for pumice?
Both pumice and perlite increase soil aeration and decrease the risk of waterlogging. These materials are ideal for growing succulents and cactus plants, as well as establishing projects such as fairy gardens. You can use them in any type of soil mix.
What is better vermiculite or pumice?
Is Vermiculite Better Than Pumice? Vermiculite is better than pumice as a soil amendment in vegetable and herb gardens, as it retains more water and nutrients for the roots. Pumice is best when used for soil aeration in soggy waterlogged garden beds as it reduces soil compaction.
What can I use instead of pumice for plants?
Pumice is best (I explain why below), but many other options work: perlite, decomposed granite, rice-sized bits of gravel and even chicken grit. Aim for about two parts inorganic coarse-grained sand or fine crushed rock to one part organic (i.e. plant-based) material (like compost).
Can you plant succulents in pumice?
Pumice for Succulents Pumice is very porous and traps water in dozens of holes in each particle. This can work well for succulents as pumice doesn't "feel" wet like a traditional potting soil and it allows for more airflow around the particles, similar to the gritty mix.
What is the best substitute for perlite?
What is a good substitute for perlite?Rice husks.Pumice.Horticultural grit.Granite gravel.Vermiculite.Calcined clay.Bark.Peat.More items...
What are the disadvantages of perlite?
Cons:Water can drain away quickly. ... Being so lightweight, perlite can be blown away and tends to float in excess water.Nonrenewable resource. ... Dust can create respiratory problems and eye irritation.
What plants need perlite?
Because of these properties, perlite is also popular in orchid, cactus, and succulent planting mixes that like to be on the drier side, and in hydroponic setups as a standalone growing medium.
What plants can grow in perlite?
While it does also help retain some water, perlite is primarily used to aerate compost. It excellent for creating a free-draining potting compost for plants that need good drainage, such as cacti and succulents.
Can you mix perlite and pumice?
Both perlite and pumice are porous aggregates, meaning they are added to a potting soil to improve aeration and drainage. The addition of perlite and pumice in a potting soil will also increase the moisture and nutrient retention of the potting soil.
Is perlite necessary for succulents?
Cactus may benefit from a higher mix of sand, but it must be the coarse type. Perlite – Perlite is commonly included in most mixes for succulents. This product adds aeration and increases drainage; however, it is lightweight and often floats to the top when watered.
How do you make homemade perlite?
How to Cast Homemade PerliteMix equal parts of dry cement, sphagnum peat moss and perlite in a bucket or other container. ... Mix in water a little at a time until the ingredients are thoroughly moist, but not wet.More items...
What type of rock is pumice?
Pumice. Like perlite, pumice is a type of volcanic glass. It’s an extremely porous rock that is formed during explosive volcanic eruptions. The porous nature of pumice is caused by the rapid cooling and depressurization once the lava has been ejected from the volcano.
What size is pumice?
For gardening purposes, pumice is typically available in sizes ranging from 1/8” to 3/8”.
How to make perlite into a ball?
To transform natural perlite into the little white balls you see in your succulent soil mix, the perlite glass is first crushed then rapidly heated to around 1700 degrees Fahrenheit. This process causes the perlite to expand, not unlike popcorn.
What happens when perlite expands?
This process causes the perlite to expand, not unlike popcorn. When perlite “pops” at this temperature, it expands to nearly 20 times its original volume. The end result is the white, porous balls you are familiar with. Commercial perlite is typically sold in three different size categories: fine, medium, and coarse.
What are the different sizes of perlite?
Commercial perlite is typically sold in three different size categories: fine, medium, and coarse . These sizes are actually determined by an organization called the Perlite Institute, which is run by the world’s foremost perlite professionals.
Where is perlite found?
The majority of perlite is mined in the United States, Greece, Turkey, and Japan.
Is perlite a natural product?
Perlite and pumice are both natural products, but it’s important to fully understand where they came from and what exactly they’re made of. The more you know about the products you’re putting into your garden, the more informed you can be when making these important decisions.
What is the difference between perlite and pumice?
Perlite is lighter weight than pumice and lighter in color. Before heating, perlite may be gray, green, brown, blue or red, but after heating perlite becomes white or light gray. In soil mixes, perlite tends to float to the top of the soil, spilling over the edge of a pot when watered. For horticulture, perlite particle sizes range ...
What is pumice rock?
Pumice results when tiny gas bubbles are trapped in volcanic, usually rhyolitic, lava before the lava cools, resulting in a naturally lightweight rock according to Minerals Education Coalition: Pumice. Pumice usually forms during explosive volcanic eruptions similar to Mount Pinatubo and Mount Mazama (the site of Crater Lake, Oregon) as described by Geology.com. Most pumice used in the U.S. comes from Oregon.
What is perlite soil?
Perlite and pumice soil amendments are coarse, pebblelike materials that are mixed into potting mediums to help aeration and water drainage for plant roots. The Earth’s volcanic processes of melting and cooling form both pumice and perlite, although perlite is further processed with heat until it pops, like popcorn, expanding to 15 times its original volume according to Perlite Institute.
What is the color of pumice?
Pumice is porous, letting water drain through, and is usually a dusty white, pale gray or pale yellow, depending on the minerals in the area where it is mined.
Is pumice harder to find than perlite?
Pumice also lasts longer than perlite. On the other hand, pumice may be harder to find in the store, especially crushed for mixing with soil, and costs more than perlite.
Factors to Consider Before Making a Choice
It is important to know their composition, characteristics, availability, and accessibility to make a choice.
Pumice- Basic Features
Below are all the characteristics of pumice, including the pros and cons.
Perlite- Basic Features
Below are all the characteristics of perlite, including the pros and cons.
Pumice vs Perlite – A Quick Comparison
We hope that the above-detailed analysis of pumice and perlite will help you make a decision. However, if you are still confused here’s a quick sneak peek of perlite vs pumice to give you a bird’s eye view:
Pumice vs Perlite- Our Two Cents
Both perlite and pumice have their benefits and disadvantages. Choosing one or the other depends solely on your personal preference, budget, location availability, and plant and soil type.
How are perlite and pumice formed?
The two minerals are formed as a result of a volcanic eruption. The melting and cooling process result in the formation of perlite and pumice. When evaluating perlite vs pumice it is important to note that perlite is usually subjected to heat making it expand to 20 times its initial volume.
How is pumice formed?
Pumice on the other hand is formed due to tiny gas bubbles that are trapped inside lava prior to cooling. This ultimately results in the formation of a naturally lightweight rock. Its name pumice is derived from the Latin word “pumex”, which means foam. Pumice is naturally porous and allows water to drain through it.
What are the two minerals that are formed by volcanic eruptions?
The two minerals are formed as a result of a volcanic eruption. The melting and cooling process result in the formation of perlite and pumice. When evaluating perlite vs pumice it is important to note that perlite is usually subjected to heat making it expand to 20 times its initial volume.
What is the PH of perlite?
Upon watering it tends to spill over the edges. It is availed in various grades ranging from 2 pounds per cubic foot. The PH of perlite is about 7 and is chemically inert.
Is perlite cheaper than pumice?
The heat makes it lightweight and porous. The process begins with mining then it is crashed before being heated. In terms of price perlite is much cheaper than pumice and is mined all over the world. It is however most abundant in the USA, a leading producer and exporter of perlite.
Is perlite good for potting soil?
It is however much better to use perlite in potting mixes since heating helps sterilize it and hence eliminates possibilities for harmful microbes. If your garden or potted plant thrives well in sandy soil then a better choice would be pumice since it is an excellent boost of water retention properties of the soil.
Perlite & Pumice
Perlite Features & Uses
- Perlite is derived from a mined silicon rock that has been crushed, heated, and expanded. They also contain other minerals like iron oxide, potassium oxide, and sodium oxide. They are lighter in weight and color. Before the process of heating, perlite can be brown, red, gray, green, or blue. However, after the heating process, they become light gray or white. Perlites are mostly used in …
Pumice Features & Uses
- Pumice is derived from volcanic eruptions or explosions and they mostly come from Oregon. The process for obtaining pumice is a lesser and quite environmentally friendly technique than perlite. Pumice is quite soft but not as lightweight as perlite. They are usually known as solidified rock foam. They are capable of floating in the water and they contain some air that allows them light …
Perlite vs. Pumice
- Let’s compare some features between perlite vs. pumice to know our best pick: 1. The pumice comes in various sizes to suit various requirements and they are lightweight but not as lightweight as perlite. 2. Pumice is capable of floating but they are still a little heavier than perlite so they can’t be blown away by wind or storm, unlike perlite. 3....
Perlite vs. Pumice: The Option Chosen
- Even though the two are great, we still have one clear winner. So, our pick is pumice! Pumice is an excellent option especially in enhancing the soil in your succulent.