Perlite is a special type of natural volcanic rock. It is made of chunks of hard, glassy volcanic rock that have been super-heated until they are light and airy like popcorn. It has lots of tiny holes in it, which helps plants grow better. When people use perlite in their gardens, they mix it with other soils to provide plants with extra air, which allows the roots to grow deeper and stronger. The perlite also helps water drain better and keeps the soil loose, so the plants can get enough oxygen.