Soil

Carnivorous plants (often abbreviated as CP) require specific soil conditions. Nepenthes in particular require well draining aerated soil with little to no nutrients. Common substrates include but are not limited to long fiber sphagnum moss (lfs), perlite, coconut husk/fiber, charcoal, silica sand, and orchid bark. Most growers have their own mix. A common mix is 1 part sphagnum moss and 1 part perlite. Another common one is 1 part lfs, 1 part bark, and one 1 part coconut fiber. It is important to have well aerated soil that also retains enough water. Sphagnum moss is generally the substrate used to retain the water while combinations of the other materials are used to provide the proper drainage. Some growers will use only long fiber sphagnum moss with nothing else added. Sphagnum peat moss can also be used (as apposed to long fiber sphagnum) but the peat moss has a tendency to clump and not provide enough aeration. It is important not to allow nepenthes to sit in standing water as it will cause root rot and slowly kill your plant.