Moreover, calcined clays are used on the grounds, and playing fields. Like other materials on this list, biochar feeds water to the plants as they dry out, which prevents a drought-like effect. This makes roots a happy camper as they can now grow easily. Rice hulls are great at draining and soaking up water while keeping your garden organic and pure. Dried sphagnum moss and coco coir are both pH neutral, while peat moss is very acidic. While perlite is usually white and popcorn-like in looks, vermiculite tends to be brown and flakier. Sand has a variety of functions in the yard and all around the house, ranging from roads and walks to mulch layers to control weeds and minimize water loss. Also referred to as sphagnum moss, peat can also make an excellent addition to soil mixes. Adding it to soil mixes for potted plants will make them much heavier, and for smaller pots, especially indoors, you will need to use pea gravel. It is not 100 percent good as it has some limitations as well. The other name of peat is Sphagnum moss and is widely used in potting mixes. Coconut coir is one of the most popular choices of soil amendments because of its water retention capabilities. Amazon offers cheap crushed shells like the one below. We will discuss both plant types and conditions and their relation with perlite substitutes. Can you easily get these perlite alternatives? There are different ways to use pine needles in gardening. Perlite isn't just for drainage. Since perlite isnt renewable, rice hulls may be a better option if youre worried about sustainability. Perlite For anyone who enjoys gardening, the soil is essential. On Amazon, you can actually get the one below just for about 5 bucks! It's very lightweight and can actually blow away if on the . A: Perlite has no nutritional benefit for plants. However, its not so ideal for plants that need alkaline materials; this can be seen as a negative because it limits the types of plants that you can use it with. This makes coco coir and wood chips cheaper alternatives for perliteall under 1 dollar. Unlike sand, you can use any amount of bark you want, depending on how quickly you want the drainage to occur. Gravel and perlite are similar because theyre both in rock form, but theyre not entirely the same. Coir has a higher water retention capacity than perlite, making it a great choice for plants that require moist soils, and unlike perlite, it also has a high ability to retain nutrients and release them into the soil. The original ingredients shouldn't be recognizable, and the compost should have an unobtrusive earthy smell. Unlike styrofoam, rice hulls are highly sustainable and favored among earth-conscious gardeners. So, adding rice hulls to your soil can help prevent the inconvenient effects of soil erosion and are a great alternative to perlite. Not only does stone wool drain water quickly, but it also retains small amounts of water; this helps keep the soil and plants hydrated at a healthy level. However, it is heavier than perlite. Sand, on the other hand, is a common growing medium that is readily available and inexpensive. It not only lightens your weight when moving the potted plants, but it also improves soil aeration, which protects the crops from temperature changes. The ratio of sand to clay should be 1:2. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'thegrowingleaf_com-leader-1','ezslot_4',110,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-thegrowingleaf_com-leader-1-0');You can also use horticultural sand for grass in rainy climates. If you are looking for another option that offers the same work as clay pebbles, calcined clay is a cheaper option. You can easily reuse clay pebbles because of their rigid structure. Gravel is known to control weed problems, improve soil conditions and give your garden an aesthetic look. In fact, gravel is a great way to aerate and improve the drainage of boggy or clay-heavy soils in your garden, and when spread over the top of the soil, it can even help with weed control. If the grass on your lawn is water-logged and too moist, using sand is a great way to absorb and drain the water. Cactus mixes are available online and are typically used as a perlite alternative but with a combination of pea gravel. Another downside of peat moss is its lack of nutrients. Additionally, clay pebbles require adequate washing and rinsing before use; this can be time-consuming, and many gardeners see it as an inconvenience. In this situation, look for a perlite substitute. You can use this to your advantage though, by adding it to the soil mix to stabilize top-heavy potted plants. With time, it starts compressing. Its important to understand the differences between your various options to be sure that your perlite alternative is having a positive effect on your plants. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Also sand is quite acidic so don't use a lot. Coco coir is neither too firm nor too loose, giving it the ability to retain a large amount of water and oxygen! However, this can prove to be a blessing for those plants which require high pH to grow. Check out the best way you can clone plants. Vermiculite is a non-toxic and sterile growing medium for any garden plant. Pumice packs like the one below are available on Amazon. Perlite is used as a plant substrate since it is firm enough to hold plants in place. They are both pH neutral and excellent for moisture retention, although calcined clay is much more absorbent, and can soak up its weight in water. This is the reason why it must be used specifically for calcium-loving plants. Yes, small rocks can be used as a substitute for Perlite in gardening to improve soil drainage. You may be thinking, isnt Styrofoam used in construction? Well, youre not wrong. While perlite is an affordable and helpful material in gardening, it also has its downsides. Like perlite, fine vermiculite may retain moisture well, but it may turn soggy over time and lead to waterlogged soil conditions. However, there is one slight disadvantage. Not only do rice hulls help with soil drainage and soakage, but they also help prevent soil erosion. However, not all of them are made equal and not all of them have the same properties as perlite. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. Its dust is dangerous to health and can cause lung issues. If you want to absorb rainwater in your plants, you need to create holes around the soil and place the pumice within the gaps. Peat is a perfect medium for plants like tomatoes, blueberries, and other acidic soil lover plants. Will Hanging Plants Come Back After Dying? Lets have a look at their advantages: It is a DIY perlite substitute. Vermiculite cannot be used for those plants which dont require much moisture or nutrients. But this has also proven its worth in the garden as a good substitute for perlite! Rice Husks or Hulls can also be used in place of perlite. It is neither a type of soil nor a type of fertilizer. Sand? Calcined clay is a soil conditioner, commonly available on the market under the Turface brand. Theres a lot of debate on whether you can use styrofoam instead of perlite. On the flip side, the average cost of sand in the USA was around $9.90 per metric ton. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Below are the dried sphagnum moss and peat moss products I use which are available on Amazon. I've been toying with the idea of using perlite instead of sand with cement. Thin styrofoam doesnt work as it becomes snow-like and too light when water is mixed. However, styrofoam does not have the same properties as perlite. Just be sure to wash them before each use, and youre good to go! Its very gritty and rough, and its made of materials such as granite and quartz. Its also highly sustainable and healthy for the soil and the planet, things that are becoming more important nowadays as we push towards a greener planet. Continue with Recommended Cookies. What is the role of silicon in plants? Sustainable gardening is becoming more and more popular as the years go by, and using rice hulls will help your garden sustain itself without the need for any added pesticides, chemicals, or materials. Although peat is biodegradable, its mining is not environmentally friendly. We love gardening and we want to share this love with you. The cheapest alternative to perlite is styrofoam. in, Effect of the type of sand on the fracture and mechanical properties of sand concrete by Belhadj, B. et al in, Material Data Safety Sheet by Hoople, N. in, Organic Farming: Are Our Alternatives Actually Sustainable? by Sterner, K. in, Pine Wood Chips as an Alternative to Perlite: Cultural Parameters to Consider by Owen, W. G.in, Potting Media for Containers by Reddick, L.L. We are compensated for referring traffic and business to Amazon and other companies linked to on this site. Its also heavier than perlite, making it a perfect decorative layer for potted plants, especially if you need to deter fungus gnats. Inspired by his mothers love of gardening, Alex has a passion for taking care of plants and turning backyards into feel-good places and loves to share his experience with the rest of the world. Styrofoam may seem like an economically sensible alternative to perlite, but its overall benefits are too few for us to recommend it. A fine layer of perlite is also excellent for covering seed that needs light to germinate because the perlite lets light through whilst still keeping the seed moist and aiding germination. If youre looking to improve your clay or garden soil through drainage, airflow, or making it lighter, horticultural sand is undoubtedly a perlite alternative worth considering. Shade-loving houseplants, succulents, and cacti do better with less water, so a potting mix amended with perlite helps prevent root rot and fungal disease. If your plants dont require much moisture, using vermiculite might damage them and cause root rot, which you certainly dont want! This can be a good substitute for perlite in potting mix. Depending on how coarse it is, sand can work as a substitute for perlite. Mixing fine sand into your starter mix will turn it into cement. Perlite is often maintained wet throughout manufacture and packaging to maintain dust at bay. So, if you can't get perlite or sand, you can also use vermiculite, peat moss, bark, pumice, calcined clay, rice husks, granite gravel, coco coir, styrofoam, and cat litter. So, when it rains, the vermiculite soaks up the rainwater. The mass of the small boulders makes it hard for weeds to sprout and break through when placed in thick or thin layers. Much like perlite, clay pebbles are also heated to a very high temperature which causes them to expand. Heavier (it does not float and is not carried away easily), Lighter (it floats and can be carried by the wind), Basic characteristics of media for container-grown plants by McCall, W.W. in, Beaches and Sand by Seraphin, D et al. in. Most vermiculite bags youll see and get in stores are fine vermiculite. So, gardeners dont prefer it as a substitute for perlite. These promote optimal root structure. Good Substitute for Perlite. Coir is often compared with Perlite as is considered an effective perlite substitute. Perlite is often thought of as a lightweight sand substitute. It may come as a surprise, but you can also use styrofoam in horticulture and gardening. If youre growing succulents, pumice is by far your best choice. It improves drainage and enhances water retention capacity. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Examples of organic soil amendments include: Examples of inorganic soil amendments include: Its usually best to use organic amendments and materials whenever possible because they offer more significant benefits and are generally better for the environment. Moreover, please remember that sand is much denser than perlite, so if you are planning to use it for houseplants, it might not be the best option. However, it is critical to use sand with a diameter of 1.5 to 2 mm. Styrofoam is not organic, and therefore contains no nutrients for the plant. 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