When You Unpack Your Plant

Is it a good idea to add perlite to Venus flytraps’ growing media?

Yes, adding perlite to the growing media of Venus flytraps can be beneficial. Perlite is a lightweight volcanic mineral that is commonly used as a soil amendment in horticulture. Here's why it can be advantageous for Venus flytraps: Improved drainage: Venus flytraps are native to boggy, wetland environments, but they still require adequate drainage to prevent waterlogging and root rot. Perlite is porous and helps improve soil drainage by creating air spaces in the growing medium. This allows excess water...

Why is sphagnum moss such a good growing medium for Venus flytraps?

Sphagnum moss is a popular growing medium for carnivorous plants for several reasons: Acidic pH: Carnivorous plants, such as Venus flytraps, pitcher plants, and sundews, thrive in acidic conditions. Sphagnum moss naturally has a low pH, typically ranging from 3.0 to 4.5, which creates an environment suitable for these plants. Moisture retention: Sphagnum moss has excellent water-holding capacity. It can absorb and retain large amounts of water, providing a consistent source of moisture to carnivorous plants. This is important because...