The best perlite alternatives are horticultural-grade pumice, rice hulls (parboiled), coarse sand (silica or quartz), expanded clay pellets (LECA), crushed lava rock, pine bark fines, and biochar (activated, low-ash). Each serves distinct purposes: pumice matches perlite’s neutral pH and porosity…
Hibiscus thrive in pots and containers—but only when those containers meet three non-negotiable criteria: adequate volume (minimum 5 gallons for mature tropicals), unrestricted drainage (no saucers holding standing water), and thermal stability (avoid black plastic in full sun). Choosing the…
Choose a desert rose pot that is 1–2 inches wider than the plant’s current root ball, made of unglazed terracotta or porous ceramic, with at least one ½-inch drainage hole at the base—and repot only every 2–3 years in spring.…
Cacti pots must provide rapid drainage, ample airflow to roots, and appropriate physical containment—never water retention or excessive volume. The ideal cactus pot is unglazed terracotta, 1–2 inches wider than the plant’s root ball, with at least one large drainage…