Vermiculite or Pearlite?

I have been using Vermiculite for years. I was introduced to growing by a friend, he used it in his soil mixes so I did the same and never questioned it. I have been using a premixed soil called Westland Jack's Magic, it is easily available in the UK. However that is high in Peat and Peat is bad for the environment. So I am going switch to another Westland product call New Horizon. It is Organic and contains Coir, composted bark and worm castings. I always add vermiculite, I have always believed it helps with drainage. I am going to pot up a batch of seedlings and clones into it tomorrow and see how it goes.

So what are the pros and cons of vermiculite and pearlite?

Totally different animals.
Vermiculite holds moisture and provides no aeration to the soil.
Perlite doesn't absorb moisture and provides plenty of aeration.

Most growers who use coco coir amend it with perlite. Perlite retains less moisture than vermiculite, I always use perlite in my coco mix and most premixed bags have perlite not vermiculite because coco already holds a lot of moisture. Perlite adds a lot of air to coco that’s why they compliment each other well IMO, although I’ve never used vermiculite personally. One thing I definitely dislike about perlite is the dry dust that blows around with it, I wear a mask when mixing so I can save my lung capacity for the dank

When we talk shop at our local hydro store, the only time I have heard a use for vermiculite was to add some water retention to hempy buckets.

@CannabisErecticus you can give the perlite a wetting in the bag before pouring to stop the dust.

50/50 perlite and vermerculite makes a great cloning substrate.

CannabisErecticus said:

Most growers who use coco coir amend it with perlite. Perlite retains less moisture than vermiculite, I always use perlite in my coco mix and most premixed bags have perlite not vermiculite because coco already holds a lot of moisture. Perlite adds a lot of air to coco that’s why they compliment each other well IMO, although I’ve never used vermiculite personally. One thing I definitely dislike about perlite is the dry dust that blows around with it, I wear a mask when mixing so I can save my lung capacity for the dank

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So now I am using a coir based mix it would probably serve me better to use Perlite instead.

speedwell68 said:

So now I am using a coir based mix it would probably serve me better to use Perlite instead.

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Yes perlite is a better option.

Star Dog said:

Yes perlite is a better option.

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Cool, thanks for all the replies.

I prefer the large perlite, number 3 but check the bag to be sure the pieces are large to create bigger air space. To see the difference of water retention pour some of each in cups, add water and wait an hour or two.

Star Dog said:

@CannabisErecticus you can give the perlite a wetting in the bag before pouring to stop the dust.

50/50 perlite and vermerculite makes a great cloning substrate.

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I spray mine with a little spray bottle of R/O water before mixing but I still get some even when the substrate dries but I wear a mask

Rinsing your perlite is a good idea........it contains a lot of powder that when wet becomes a dense sludge.