Many home gardeners and DIYers who want to save money are always looking for cheaper ways to grow plants for their gardens and homes. One way to do this might be to make your own potting soil instead of buying it already made at home improvement and garden stores. Even though buying the base ingredients and making your own mix might not lead to a cheaper mix, it does give you the chance to be creative and change mixes for specific plants or goals that you think would make a better media for your situation. You will learn about basic potting media ingredients and how to make your own from scratch in the sections that follow.
Growing plants in pots and planting seeds in trays often use potting media, which is rougher than garden soil. Over the years, the ingredients that are suggested for potting media have changed because professional horticulturists have found parts that help plants grow and seeds sprout. Before the middle of the 1900s, soil-based potting mixes were common. But recently, peat-based soilless mixes have become more popular. Gardeners who want to make their own potting media instead of buying it from a store can now find a lot of the materials they need.
For main ingredients, these recipes are given in gallons. For smaller ingredients, they are given in teaspoons, tablespoons, ounces, and grams. Primary ingredients used for both soil-based and peat-based media are discussed below.
Perlite is a common additive used by cannabis growers to improve drainage and aeration in potting soil mixes. But how much perlite should you use per gallon of soil? What is the ideal ratio for mixing perlite into potting soil for growing healthy cannabis plants? In this article, we’ll examine optimal perlite-to-soil ratios and how to find the right balance for your grow.
What is Perlite?
Perlite is a volcanic rock that has been superheated until it expands like popped popcorn, becoming lightweight and porous. The porous structure creates tiny air pockets that help aerate and drain potting mixes.
Pure perlite retains zero nutrients and dries out rapidly. It must be mixed with with a potting soil or coco coir base to create an effective growing medium. The perlite provides drainage and airflow while the soil or coco retains moisture and nutrients for plant roots
Adding perlite improves:
- Drainage and prevents overwatering
- Root oxygenation
- Soil structure for healthy root growth
Too much perlite can dry out soil too fast. Too little may leave soil sodden and air-starved. Finding the right ratio is key for optimal cannabis growth.
Recommended Ratio of Perlite to Soil
Most growers agree the ideal amount of perlite to mix into potting soil is in the range of 20-30% by volume.
This equates to:
- 2-3 quarts perlite per 1 gallon of soil
- 0.5-0.75 gallons (4-6 quarts) perlite per 3 gallons soil
- 1-1.5 gallons (8-12 quarts) perlite per 5 gallons soil
A ratio in this range provides an excellent balance of drainage and moisture retention. It creates an open soil structure encouraging vigorous root growth and healthy oxygenation, while still retaining enough water between feedings.
However, the optimal ratio depends on factors like:
- Container size
- Plant stage
- Climate
- Watering frequency
- Soil ingredients
For example, seedlings and clones in small containers may do better with a lower 15-20% perlite ratio to retain more consistent moisture. Larger plants in bigger pots can handle more perlite for increased drainage.
Use your best judgment adjusting within the 20-30% range based on your setup and plants’ needs. Monitor how quickly soil dries out and adjust perlite levels accordingly over time.
Soil Volume Conversions
- 1 gallon = 4 quarts
- 3 gallons = 12 quarts
- 5 gallons = 20 quarts
So for a common 3-gallon pot:
- 20-30% perlite = 2.5 to 3.5 quarts perlite
- Or a rounded range of 2 to 4 quarts per 3 gallons soil
Measuring and Mixing Perlite into Potting Soil
To mix perlite into potting soil:
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Determine soil quantity needed and container size
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Calculate desired perlite amount based on 20-30% ratio
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Measure out soil and perlite amounts
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Thoroughly mix together in a wheelbarrow, tub, or directly in the container
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For large batches, mix soil and perlite on a tarp before filling pots
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For single containers, put a layer of soil, then perlite, repeat, mixing as filling
- Mix and distribute evenly so perlite is dispersed throughout
It’s easy to eyeball rough ratios. For more precision use measuring cups or quarts:
- Scoop soil with a shovel or cup, perlite with a cup or quart
- Example: 3 shovels soil : 1 cup perlite
The exact ratio is not critical. Blend perlite anywhere from 20% to 30% of total volume for optimal aeration without drying too fast.
Adjusting Perlite Ratios for Different Situations
While 20-30% perlite is ideal for most cannabis grows, you can fine-tune your perlite-to-soil ratio based on these factors:
Container Size
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More perlite for larger containers, less for smaller
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Seedlings: 15-20% perlite
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Large plants: 25-30%+ perlite
Watering Frequency
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More perlite if watering daily or in hot climates
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Less perlite if watering every 3-4+ days
Soil Ingredients
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More perlite with soilless peat and coir mixes
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Less needed if soil already contains perlite or vermiculite
Plant Stage
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Less perlite for seedlings and clones
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More perlite for heavy feeding flowering plants
Environment
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More perlite in hot & dry conditions
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Less perlite in cool & humid conditions
Growing Style
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More perlite for active “wet-dry” cycles
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Less for slower, passive wicking systems
Signs Your Soil Needs More Perlite
Some signs your potting mix needs more perlite:
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Soil stays wet for 5+ days after watering
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Leaves are yellow or droopy from overwatering
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Roots appear dark brown and slimy (rotting)
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Poor root growth and structure
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White fungus gnats hovering over soil
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Lack of vigorous growth and health
Is There a Limit to How Much Perlite You Can Use?
You can certainly push perlite ratios higher than 30% if needed. Some hydroponic systems use 100% perlite or expanded clay as the growing medium.
However, for container plants a ratio higher than 50% perlite may have downsides:
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Soil dries out too quickly requiring constant watering
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Nutrients are washed out immediately with every watering
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Minimal root zone moisture for uptake of nutrients
Using a high amount of perlite mimics hydroponic growing and requires similar constant nutrient dosing with feedings. Sticking to a maximum 50% perlite ratio is recommended for container gardening to avoid issues.
Best Practices for Amending Soil with Perlite
Here are some top tips for mixing perlite into potting soil:
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Thoroughly blend soil and perlite together before filling containers
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Add extra perlite to just the bottom inch or two of pots to improve drainage
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Mix ratios based on total volume, not weight
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Add extra perlite to reused soil to replenish aeration
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Use coarse horticulture perlite, not fine perlite dust
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Wear a mask when handling perlite to avoid breathing dust
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Moisten soil slightly before mixing to prevent dust
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Store unused premixed soil in airtight containers or bags
By following the recommendations in this article, you can create an ideal perlite-amended potting mix customized for your environment and plants. Properly aerating soil encourages massive root systems and bigger cannabis yields. Dialing in the perfect ratio of perlite for your grow is one of the easiest ways to maximize the health and productivity of your plants!
Making Soil-based Potting Media
The following is a basic recipe for soil-based potting media. Garden loam soil, coarse construction sand, and sphagnum peat moss are all mixed together in this recipe in equal amounts by volume:
- Place one gallon of clean loam soil, which is also known as garden soil and can be bought at garden centers, into a clean, empty bushel basket. It is worth the money to buy sterilized loam soil to avoid problems with disease, bugs, and weeds that can happen with unsterilized soil. Soil that was taken straight from the garden might have these pests on it, which could lead to problems in the future, like seedlings that are dead, deformed, or not growing enough. Weeds in garden soil usually grow quickly and make it hard for seedlings to get the nutrients, water, air, and light they need.
- First, add one gallon of wet, coarse sphagnum peat moss. Then, add another gallon of coarse sand, perlite, or vermiculite.
- Change the medium’s texture to make a loose mix that drains well. Sand feels gritty and clay feels sticky. If the soil in the pot feels too sandy, add more peat moss. If the soil in the pot feels too sticky, add more sand and peat moss. Small amounts of sand and/or peat moss can be added to change the texture until you’re happy with it.
Making Soilless or Peat-based Potting Media
Soilless mixes, also called peat-based potting media, don’t have any soil in them. Instead, they are made up of peat moss, horticultural grades of vermiculite and/or perlite, and fertilizer. Peat-based media are good for seed germination because they are mostly clean, uniform, and light in weight and texture. The light texture makes it easy for seeds to sprout and grow, for tender roots to grow, and for seedlings to be moved to new soil.
In general, standard media recipes are created based on the types of plants being grown (ex. bedding plants, potted plants, or for seed germination). Half sphagnum peat moss and half perlite or vermiculite is a common mix for making soilless garden soil. To mix ½ bushel basket or four gallons of media:
- First, fill the bushel basket with two gallons of peat moss.
- Either add two gallons of perlite or vermiculite and mix well.
- Moisten the mix before using it in pots or flats.