Building a Sphagnum Bog Garden Building a Sphagnum Bog Garden by Roberta and Fred Case Sphagnum moss makes an ideal substrate in which to grow some of the showy and more difficult bog and swamp plants, especially carnivorous plants and certain native orchids. And sphagnum moss is attractive in itself.
Sphagnum moss requires a constant source of suitable water.
Chlorinated or very limey water kills it. However, placing it in a bog next to a pond can solve the water problem. Growing it on neutral or acid sand is a suitable substrate. Full sun, if possible. The sphagnum doesn't need it but many of the showier bog plants do.