Fertilizer, Perlite, or Pest Eggs?

There are white, cream, yellow, blue, green, or gray spheres in the soil? We're here to help!

In many houseplants, our growers rely on slow-release fertilizer prills (for those not in the know, these are like little pellets). These tiny wonders gradually supply nutrients to the potting mix, ensuring plants receive a steady diet for optimal growth and vitality. Depending on the fertilizer blend, these prills come in various colors such as white, yellow, green, blue, or cream. They're typically scattered throughout the soil, if you happen to squish one, expect liquid fertilizer to ooze out (just be sure to wash your hands afterward!). 
Bonus: Besides keeping your plants well-fed, slow-release fertilizer prills help safeguard the environment by minimizing fertilizer runoff.

Perlite, on the other hand, is essentially puffed volcanic rock used to improve drainage and aeration in many potting mixes. Initially pristine white, it can develop stains over time from contact with the potting mix. On closer inspection, perlite reveals its irregular shapes and varying sizes. When touching perlite, it feels rough and solid.

Pest eggs, unlike fertilizer prills, tend to be clumped together rather than dispersed in the soil. Much smaller and lacking the firm shell of prills, they typically feel soft and sometimes slimy when handled. Fortunately, encountering pest eggs in your soil is quite rare compared to stumbling upon fertilizer prills or perlite!