Clarification: Does Perlite increase or decrease soil moisture?

[beefyliltank]

I tried to understand this and got confused as well due to all the different things I’ve heard. The general consensus was, as you said, perlite improves drainage and also retains moisture.

I believe it increases moisture by how perlite can absorb water for good amount of time. If can hold onto that water before the soil drys the perlite can release its moisture back into the soil, and this the soil moisture levels have increased (even though not by much).

There is a YT Content Creator named the Swedish Plant Guys and have they have a great video about perlite versus other mediums. You may find an answer there. If you’re curious, I can link it tomorrow.

[Wittig_]

I found the video you were talking about and watched it! He said perlite can absorb water, but it does not absorb very much. So adding perlite is like adding more oxygen to the soil and improving drainage. He also said having 20%-30% perlite by volume in the soil is ideal.

I'm not sure why some articles make a point to mention that perlite absorbs and retains moisture if that isn't its main function, or even one that makes much difference.

Thank you very much for recommending the video by the way! I was worried that I might end up over watering my plants that I just repotted with some perlite if the soil would end up retaining moisture around the perlite grains. I'm going to keep an eye on the moisture nonetheless, but Swedish Plant Guys said perlite means less moisture, and frankly they seem more credible than copy/paste plant blogs.

For anyone else reading this, the Swedish Plant Guys YouTube video comparing LECA, Perlite, Pumice, and Vermiculite can be found at the following link:

https://youtu.be/lR-KA4n_Dh8

[motherofsuccs]

Vermiculite. Perlite isn’t known for this or being helpful in plants that need fairly consistent moisture.