As a student looking to save money, I'm wondering if it's alright to use vermiculite for aeration in my plants since perlite is a bit too pricey for me. Can I just mix in some vermiculite to help prevent root rot?
3 Answers
You don't strictly need perlite. Using things like bark or chipped wood can also do the trick for aeration. I usually prefer perlite, but a mix with fine bark mulch works well for me too!
Definitely consider adding materials like bark, rocks, or sand instead. Anything chunky mixed in will help prevent your soil from getting soggy and will keep your roots happy!
Vermiculite is great for retaining moisture, but it doesn't aerate the soil like perlite does. If you're just using vermiculite, you might want to mix in something else to help with drainage and aeration.
Yeah, exactly! It might be worth adding some sand to your mix too, as it can help improve drainage.
Right, and I’d say even a handful of small rocks can help! As long as you have good drainage, your roots should be okay.