Vermiculite

Vermiculite is a hydrous phyllosilicate mineral which undergoes significant expansion when heated. Exfoliation occurs when the mineral is heated sufficiently; commercial furnaces can routinely produce this effect. Vermiculite forms by the weathering or hydrothermal alteration of biotite or phlogopite.

Large commercial vermiculite mines exist in the United States, Russia, South Africa, China, and Brazil.

Back to Gardening Glossary →

Source: Wikipedia · Image: Wikimedia Commons · Public domain

GARDENERPLACE

A gardener's place — practical guides, plant know-how, and growing wisdom.

Get new guides by emailOccasional emails. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.

InformationAbout Contact Privacy Policy Terms of Service Disclaimer Affiliate Disclosure Cookie Policy

Every species, image, fact, and figure is drawn from Wikipedia and Wikimedia Commons, used under public-domain and Creative Commons licenses. No content is AI-generated.