Vermiculite

Vermiculite is a clean, safe, and nontoxic garden additive that helps keep soil moist and well conditioned.

Vermiculite, mined in Australia, South Africa, and South America, as well as other areas, is made from
laminar magnesium, aluminum, and iron silicate. It’s used in manufacturing as well as in agriculture. When heated, it gives off moisture as steam and exfoliates, giving it a wormlike appearance. When it absorbs moisture and expands, it resembles mica.

Vermiculite is a clean, safe, and nontoxic garden additive that helps keep soil moist and well conditioned. In hydroponic systems it is used as a growing medium for root cuttings and seedlings because of its excellent water retention properties.

Vermiculite effectively loosens dense soil and promotes drainage and aeration. It can be added to
compost, potting soil, and blocking mixes. Vermiculite is especially appreciated by gardeners for its
cation exchange properties as well. This means that it helps plants absorb and retain various nutrients and minerals, including calcium and magnesium, from the soil. The ability of a plant and its rooting medium to exchange beneficial compounds is essential to successful gardening. Without this exchange, plants begin to decay.

Gardeners routinely add vermiculite to the growing medium to accelerate root growth and condition bulk soil. It is safe to use as a permanent additive to potting and garden soil.

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