Preparing Dried Sphagnum Moss for Carnivorous Plant Soil: Identifying Safe Moss and Removing Woody Strands

Preparing Dried Sphagnum Moss for Carnivorous Plant Soil: Identifying Safe Moss and Removing Woody Strands

Verify Sphagnum

Package must say "sphagnum moss." Avoid "forest moss," "tree moss," "green moss," "Spanish moss"—only sphagnum is safe.

Thick Strands

Woody fibers are common in Chilean sphagnum. New Zealand sphagnum is cleaner but pricier. Pull out woody strands; no need to chop.

Preparation

Break all clumps, soak thoroughly before mixing with other ingredients.

Usage

1 sphagnum : 1 perlite works for Nepenthes and Sarracenia. Avoid with butterworts and flytraps (roots rot).

Good growing!