: volcanic glass that has a concentric structure, appears as if composed of concretions, is usually grayish and sometimes spherulitic, and when heated expands to form a lightweight aggregate used especially in concrete and plaster and as a medium for potting plants
Examples of perlite in a Sentence
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Add perlite, peat moss, vermiculite, or compost to improve drainage if needed.
—
Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 22 Jan. 2026
Use a loose, fast-draining potting mix that pairs nutritious soil with big pieces of orchid bark, pumice, or perlite.
—Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Jan. 2026
To create a blend that mimics the tropical environment, Zhang recommends using equal parts coco coir, coco chips, perlite, and horticultural charcoal, with optional additions of pumice and worm castings.
—Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 18 Jan. 2026
As for the backfill in your planting hole, Nuccio recommends a soil mix of 1/2 peat moss, 1/4 perlite, and 1/4 fast-draining soil for camellias, while planting azaleas in a mix that is 2/3 peat moss and 1/3 perlite.
—Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 8 Jan. 2026
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Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 22 Jan. 2026
Use a loose, fast-draining potting mix that pairs nutritious soil with big pieces of orchid bark, pumice, or perlite.
—Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Jan. 2026
To create a blend that mimics the tropical environment, Zhang recommends using equal parts coco coir, coco chips, perlite, and horticultural charcoal, with optional additions of pumice and worm castings.
—Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 18 Jan. 2026
As for the backfill in your planting hole, Nuccio recommends a soil mix of 1/2 peat moss, 1/4 perlite, and 1/4 fast-draining soil for camellias, while planting azaleas in a mix that is 2/3 peat moss and 1/3 perlite.
—Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 8 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for perlite
Cite this Entry
“Perlite.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/perlite. Accessed 30 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
perlite
noun
per·lite
ˈpər-ˌlīt 
: a glassy mineral of volcanic origin that when expanded by heat forms a lightweight material capable of absorbing liquids (as water)
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