The Perfect

Growing Medium for Plants

Vermiculite is well established as a growing medium. It is most commonly used in compost formulations, usually in combination with peat or coir. Vermiculite/peat or coir compost formulations provide ideal conditions for plant growth.

So… What is Vermiculite?

Vermiculite is a hydrated magnesium aluminum silicate mineral that resembles mica at first glance and undergoes significant expansion when heated.

It is found in various parts of the world, including South Africa, Australia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Kenya, Russia, Uganda, the USA, and Zimbabwe.

Vermiculite is mined using open cast mining techniques where the ore is separated from other minerals and then screened or classified into several basic particle sizes. Great care is taken in mining operations to minimize the impact on the environment and to restore the land to its natural condition when the mining operation ends.

Vermiculite, when subjected to heat, exfoliates to form elongated concertina-like particles which are lightweight, incombustible, compressible, highly absorbent, and non-reactive. Exfoliated vermiculite particles can have high cation exchange capacity and their surface chemistry may be modified.

Vermiculite has been used in various industries for over 80 years in a wide number of markets, including construction, industrial, horticulture, and agriculture.