Stay away from any soil components that have been enriched with nutrients, fertilizer or any other chemicals.

For instance, almost all “Miracle Grow” products (including sphagnum peat moss and perlite) have added fertilizer/nutrients. This will not kill your plant immediately, but will definitely do so over time. DO NOT USE IT, YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.

While the fertilizers in Miracle Grow are bad, you can indeed use fertilizer on your carnivorous plants, I have a page dedicated to that subject here (Link).

This soil mixture can be used for several species, and it probably the most common soil composition used.

Most commonly used for the following species:

• Dionaea (Venus Flytrap)
• Drosera (Sundew)
• Sarracenia (American Pitcher)

To make this soil, mix the following:

• 1 part sphagnum peat moss
• 1 part perlite

The soil should look like the photo to the right. Note that 1:1 mixture is not by weight or volume, but rather the consistency of the finished product. You want it too look like 50/50 of each component.

No soil for this one, as it is completely aquatic.

Aldrovanda needs to be kept in a container that is filled with water.  Acidity seems to be a key in helping these plants hang around a while.  Adding some sphagnum peat moss or possibly some Miracid ® ( very very small amount ) may help with acidity.

Changing the water regularly for these plants in a good idea.  Stale water will lead to algae growing.  If this happens, promptly move the plants and replace with fresh water.

Something that is sandy and loose is great for Byblis.

It is fine to be a little heavier on the sand than peat moss.  These plants, to some extent grow near desert environments with sandy riverbanks, that will explain the makeup of sand in the mix. 

To make this soil, mix the following:

• 1 part sphagnum peat moss
• 1 part coarse sand

The soil composition for this plant is similar to the All-Purpose soil mixture. They prefer something with more sand, and still acidic.

Most “Australian” carnivorous plant will prefer this soil mixture.

To make this soil, mix the following:

• 1 part sphagnum peat moss
• 1 part coarse sand

Alternative:

• 1 part sphagnum peat moss
• 1 part perlite
• 1 part coarse sand

Darlingtonia can be a bit tricky. It needs to remain cool and the roots need to have adequate air to breath. 

If the temperatures get a little warm, the open soil mixture should allow for some cooling (or at least not over heating ) of the root system.

Recommended soil composition:

• 1 part peat moss
• 1 part perlite
• 1 part lava rock or pumice

This plant lives on cliffs of the Spain, Portugal and Morocco, it is best to have a soil mix that is open, alkaline and loose.

Recommended soil composition:

• 1 part coarse sand
• 1 part perlite
• 1 part vermiculite
• 1 part lava rock or pumice

Genlisea will use the “All-Purpose Carnivorous Plant Soil (at top of the page).

As seen on the cover of the June 1995 issue of CPN. Geoff Wong shows how this plant can also be potted in a way to allow you to see “under the covers” of the root system, and see the “traps” in action.

This information is also available on page 340-343 of the book “The Savage Garden (Revised)”, by Peter D’Amato.

This book can be ordered from Amazon (Link), or from his site, California Carnivores, where he sells an autographed copy (Link).

I opted for the autographed copy of this book, well worth the couple extra dollars.

This plant enjoys a very well drained soil. 

Never allow the soil to get compact.  This will cause rotting of the roots.  Whatever the soil you choose to use, make sure that it is open and well drained.

To make this soil, mix the following:

• 1 part sphagnum peat moss
• 1 part perlite

Alternative soil mixture:

• 2 parts perlite
• 1 part sphagnum peat moss
• 1 part shredded long fiber sphagnum moss
• 1 part lava rock (or pumice)

This soil is suited to tropical Nepenthes plants, also known as tropical pitcher plants. It provides a moist, well draining media that promotes oxygen flow to the roots of the plant.

To make this soil, mix the following:

• 3 parts shredded long fiber sphagnum moss
• 1 part sphagnum peat moss
• 1 part perlite

Depending on the species that you grow (cool temperate, warm temperate or tropical), there is a suggested soil composition for each type.

For cool temperate species, use the following:

• 2 parts sphagnum peat moss
• 1 part perlite
• 1 part coarse sand

For warm temperate species, use the following:

• 1 part sphagnum peat moss
• 1 part coarse sand

For tropical species, use the following:

• 1 part sphagnum peat moss
• 1 part perlite
• 1 part vermiculite
• 1 part lava rock or pumice

Depending on the species that you grow (terrestrial, seasonal or tropical), there is a suggested soil composition for each type.

For terrestrial or seasonal species, use the following:

• 1 part sphagnum peat moss
• 1 part perlite

You can also make your mix heavier on the sandy side than the peaty side if desired. Either way should work nicely for these plants.

For tropical species, use the following:

• 1 part sphagnum peat moss
• 1 part perlite
• 1 part orchid bark
• 1 part shredded long fiber sphagnum moss