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Container Growing with Perlite and Perlite/Peat Mixes
Original Report by: Raymond Sheldrake, Jr.
Professor Emeritus
Cornell University

As the greening of the world continues, there is an ongoing trend to utilize container plantings. Not only are these containers used in indoor and outdoor pedestrian malls, they are used in rooftop gardens over underground garages and shopping malls, on patios, decks, terraces and in penthouse gardens.

A problem common to all of these applications is weight. Structural design on the floor, deck, or rooftop is often the limiting factor in so far as container weight is concerned. This, in turn, limits the depth of growing mix that can be used which restricts the size of shrub or tree that can be planted.

Lightweight Perlite (100% perlite) or Perlite/Peat Growing Mixes

Conventional, fully watered soil weighs as much as 3240 to 3780 lb/cubic yard (1900-2200 kg/cubic meter). Therefore the soil in a 4 foot by 4 foot container, three feet deep, and large enough for a small tree can weigh almost 7000 lbs. (3200 kg). When this is multiplied by the number of containers used, the additional weight on the structure can be enormous.

Fully watered perlite/peat moss growing mixes weigh only about 950 lbs/cubic yard (550 kg/cubic meter), and 100% perlite media weigh even less. Using the previous example, the same container filled with a perlite/peat moss growing mix would weigh only about 1700 lbs (770 kg)----less than one ton! This tremendous weight saving with perlite/peat moss mixes can provide architects, designers, and nurserymen with a host of additional options including more extensive plantings, larger shrubs and trees, and reduced design loadings for rooftops.

Additional Advantages of 100% Perlite or Perlite/Peat Moss Growing Mixes

The advantages of 100% perlite or perlite/peat moss growing mixes are not limited to weight savings only. Horticultural perlite is an inorganic mineral of volcanic origin. Thus, it does not rot or otherwise deteriorate but continues to function in the growing mix. In addition, because of its unique surface configuration, particles of horticultural perlite will retain from three to four times their weight in water on the surface yet they will not become soggy. This is an important consideration with container plantings as this type of planting tends to dry our faster than plantings in the ground. This feature of perlite will produce healthier plants and trees while requiring far less attention (and less water.)

This water holding ability of horticultural perlite also increases its nutrient holding capacity when water-soluble fertilizers are used. In addition, horticultural perlite provides aeration to the growing mix which is essential for optimum plant development.

A further advantage of using lightweight 100 % perlite or perlite/peat moss growing mixes in containers is that they are easier to move and relocate and they last longer because they are not subject to stresses and strains induced by heavy loadings.

Typical Container Growing Mixes

A common container growing mix could be either 100% fine Perl-Lome, or 50% horticultural perlite--50% coarse sphagnum peat moss (by volume) plus nutrients. This formulation will vary considerably however depending upon such factors as the type of plants to be grown, climatic conditions, and size of container. As a general rule it is recommended that at least 20% horticultural perlite be employed in any container mix.

Container planting mixes also may utilize soil in conjunction with sphagnum peat moss, horticultural perlite and nutrients.

Check with your local garden center or contact our company for further recommendations or suggestions.

Information given herein is from sources considered reliable, but no guarantee of accuracy can be made or liability assumed.  Your supplier may be able to provide you with more precise data.  Certain compositions or processes involving perlite may be the subject of patents.
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