noun
- a volcanic glass that expands when heated, used as insulation and in gardening
Usage: geology; horticulture
Examples
- The gardener mixed perlite into the potting soil to improve drainage.
- Perlite is commonly used as insulation in construction projects.
- The lightweight perlite helps prevent soil compaction in container gardens.
- When heated, perlite can expand up to twenty times its original volume.
- Many commercial potting mixes contain perlite for better aeration.
- The white specks in the soil are pieces of perlite.