Burned Rice Husk — Carbonised Rice Hull Biochar, Permanent Drainage Amendment, Sterile
Price range: රු399.00 through රු699.00
Burned rice husk is fully carbonised rice hull — a black, lightweight biochar material produced by controlled high-temperature combustion of paddy husks. Its porous carbon matrix improves drainage, increases aeration, and provides long-lasting physical structure in any substrate blend. Unlike organic amendments, carbonised rice hull does not decompose and contributes stable, permanent porosity to the mix.
pH approximately 7.0–8.5 (slightly alkaline). Sterile. Weed-free. Long-lasting structural amendment. Use at 10–20% by volume in mixed substrates. Pair with worm castings or fertiliser for nutrition — carbonised husk is not a nutrient source.
Drainage that doesn’t disappear after 18 months
Organic drainage amendments — bark, coco chips, rice husk — all break down over time. Burned (carbonised) rice husk doesn’t. The controlled high-temperature combustion process converts the paddy husk into stable biochar — a porous carbon matrix that is biologically resistant to decomposition. Add it to a substrate mix and that drainage structure remains functional for the life of the pot, not just until the next repot cycle.
The porous carbon structure also has mild adsorption properties — it can capture and slowly release some nutrients and moisture, making it more than just a passive drainage material. It is a common and highly regarded component in well-formulated aroid and tropical substrate mixes.
What’s in the pack
- Carbonised rice hull (burned rice husk) — fully carbonised, black, sterile.
- Condition — dry, fine to medium granule size. Rinse before use to remove carbon dust.
- pH — approximately 7.0–8.5 (slightly alkaline). Rinse reduces pH slightly.
What you can use it for
- Aroid and tropical substrate component — blend at 10–20% for permanent drainage structure that won’t compact as the substrate ages.
- Succulent and cactus grit substitute — use at 20–30% with perlite in fast-draining succulent mixes as an alternative to coarse grit or pumice.
- Long-term substrate amendment — ideal for large containers or statement plants that won’t be repotted frequently — the drainage benefit persists.
- Terrarium drainage layer — mix into the lower drainage layer of terrarium setups for lightweight, permanent drainage capacity.
Preparing burned rice husk before use
- Rinse in a fine-mesh colander or cheesecloth under running water until the water runs clear. Fresh carbonised husk releases black carbon dust that will discolour your mix and irritate eyes if not removed.
- Allow to drain — the husk drains quickly due to its granular structure. It is ready to use once surface water has drained off.
Blending into a substrate mix
- Measure 10–20% by volume of your total batch. For a 1L mix: 100–200ml of burned rice husk.
- Combine with other components in a mixing tray. The husk blends easily into coco peat, perlite, and bark-based mixes. Mix thoroughly.
- Check final pH of your mix if growing acid-preferring plants — adding burned rice husk will raise overall mix pH slightly. Balance by increasing coco peat or sphagnum moss ratio if needed.
- Pot your plant immediately. The husk does not need further preparation.
- Wear a dust mask when handling large dry quantities — fine carbon particles are a respiratory irritant before rinsing.
- Do not exceed 20–25% in mixes for pH-sensitive plants — the alkalinity effect becomes significant above this ratio.
- Pair with a fertiliser programme — burned rice husk provides no nutrition. It is a structural amendment only.
- No need to replace — unlike organic amendments, carbonised rice hull does not break down. It remains effective in the substrate indefinitely.
What is the difference between burned rice husk and baked rice husk?
They are two different products with different properties. Burned rice husk is fully carbonised — the hull is combusted at high temperature until it turns black and becomes a stable biochar. It does not decompose and has an alkaline pH (7.0–8.5). Baked rice husk is kiln-dried and sterilised but not carbonised — it remains golden-tan in colour, retains its natural silica structure, and will gradually break down over 12–18 months. Choose burned husk for permanent drainage structure; choose baked husk for a lighter, temporary amendment in mixes that are refreshed periodically.
The water turned black when I rinsed my husk — is that normal?
Yes, completely normal. Burned rice husk releases fine carbon particles on first rinse. Continue rinsing until the water runs mostly clear — this typically takes 2–3 rinses. The black colour is surface carbon dust from the carbonisation process and does not affect the product's quality or performance once rinsed.
Does burned rice husk provide any nutrients?
Minimal. Carbonised rice hull contains very small amounts of potassium and silica, but not in concentrations sufficient to contribute meaningfully to plant nutrition. It should be treated as a nutritionally inert structural amendment and paired with worm castings or a regular fertiliser programme.
Will burned rice husk raise the pH of my entire mix significantly?
At 10–20% by volume, the alkalinity effect on overall mix pH is moderate — typically raising the blend pH by 0.2–0.5 units depending on the buffering capacity of other components. For most tropical houseplant mixes targeting pH 5.5–6.5, this is manageable and may even be beneficial if your other components are acidic (sphagnum, coco peat). For orchids and strongly acid-preferring plants, limit burned rice husk to 10% or consider baked rice husk instead.
Can I use burned rice husk in a bioactive terrarium?
Yes, at the drainage layer level. Burned rice husk is sterile, stable, and will not introduce unwanted organisms into a bioactive setup. It works well mixed into a drainage layer below the bio-active substrate. Avoid using it as a surface layer in terrariums — the dark colour and granular texture look unnatural and may interfere with the intended aesthetic.
Full product specifications
Physical Properties
| Material | Carbonised paddy husk (burned rice hull) |
| Processing method | Controlled high-temperature combustion (carbonisation) |
| Colour | Black |
| Form | Fine to medium granules |
| Density | Very low — highly lightweight |
| Decomposition rate | None — stable biochar, does not break down |
Chemical Properties
| pH range | 7.0–8.5 (slightly alkaline) — verify with supplier |
| Nutrient content | Trace potassium and silica only — not a fertiliser |
| Sterility | Sterile — high-temperature process eliminates pathogens and weed seeds |
| Adsorption | Mild — porous carbon structure adsorbs some moisture and nutrients |
Application
| Recommended ratio | 10–20% by volume in substrate blends |
| Maximum ratio | 25% — above this, alkalinity effect becomes significant |
| Suitable plant types | Most tropicals, succulents, cacti, aroids |
| Use with caution for | Strongly acid-preferring plants (orchids, ferns) |
| Substrate life | Indefinite — does not decompose |
| Preparation required | Rinse before use to remove carbon dust |
Packaging
| Volume | 1L, 2.5L |
| Gross weight | 250g, 750g |
| Pack type | Sealed resealable bag |
| Shelf life | Indefinite — does not expire |
| Warranty | No warranty — consumable growing medium |
Only logged in customers who have purchased this product may leave a review.
Frequently bought together
Burned Rice Husk — Carbonised Rice Hull Biochar, Permanent Drainage Amendment, Sterile
Burned rice husk is fully carbonised rice hull — a black, lightweight biochar material produced by controlled high-temperature combustion of paddy husks. Its porous carbon matrix improves drainage, increases aeration, and provides long-lasting physical structure in any substrate blend. Unlike organic amendments, carbonised rice hull does not decompose and contributes stable, permanent porosity to the mix.
pH approximately 7.0–8.5 (slightly alkaline). Sterile. Weed-free. Long-lasting structural amendment. Use at 10–20% by volume in mixed substrates. Pair with worm castings or fertiliser for nutrition — carbonised husk is not a nutrient source.
Agril BioBoost Coco Chips — Trichoderma-Enriched 10–20mm Coconut Husk for Orchids and Aroids
BioBoost Coco Chips combine the macroporous drainage structure of 10–20mm coconut husk chunks with supplier-blended enrichments: a Trichoderma-based biological fungicide, plant-derived rooting hormone, and a balanced starter fertiliser — giving roots both the physical space to expand and the biological environment to establish faster.
Chip size 10–20mm. pH 5.5–6.8. Low EC. Sterile base. No additional fungicide treatment required for the first 6–8 weeks. Purpose-built for orchids, aroids, and epiphyte mixes where establishment speed and root health matter.
Agril BioBoost Coco Peat — Trichoderma-Enriched, Rooting Hormone & Starter Fertiliser Blended Growing Medium
BioBoost Coco Peat is premium pH-buffered coco peat pre-enriched with a Trichoderma-based biological fungicide, plant-derived rooting hormone, and a balanced starter fertiliser — delivering a substrate that actively supports root development, suppresses soil-borne pathogens, and provides early nutrition from day one. It is the ready-to-use choice for propagation, repotting aroids, and establishing newly potted tropicals.
pH buffered to 5.8–6.5. EC flushed to below 1.0 mS/cm prior to enrichment. Sterile base medium. No additional fungicide treatment required for the first 6–8 weeks of use.
Agril Horticultural Grade Perlite (3–6mm) — Zip-lock Pouch
Most plant roots drown long before they dry out. Perlite is the simplest way to add instant drainage and essential air pockets to heavy potting soils, keeping your tropicals and succulents breathing comfortably.
These lightweight volcanic glass pearls prevent soil compaction while holding onto nutrients for slow release. It sits at a neutral pH, making it completely safe for sensitive roots. Just remember to dampen it before mixing—dry perlite dust isn't something you want to breathe in.
Worm Castings — Pure Vermicompost, Slow-Release Organic Nutrition, Odour-Neutral
Worm castings are the finished vermicompost output of earthworms processing organic matter — a dense, nutrient-rich amendment that feeds soil biology, improves structure, and provides gentle slow-release nutrition without burn risk at recommended ratios. Unlike synthetic fertilisers, castings simultaneously improve microbial activity, water retention, and nutrient availability.
NPK approximately 1–0.7–1.1 with a rich micronutrient and humic acid profile. Odour-neutral. Safe for all plants including seedlings. Use at 10–20% by volume in any substrate blend or as a top-dress amendment.
Indoor Plant Repotting Mat | Waterproof & Foldable
Keep your floors and tables clean with this waterproof indoor plant repotting mat. Unfold it, snap the corners together, and create an instant, mess-free workspace for repotting, pruning, or mixing soil. Measuring 50cm × 50cm, it is perfectly sized for apartment dwellers and kitchen counters.
Made from flexible, water-resistant PE material, it reliably catches stray dirt and water spills. When you are done, simply unclip one corner to funnel excess soil back into your bag, wipe it down, and fold it away for easy storage.
Shop All HousePlants
Reviews
Clear filtersThere are no reviews yet.