Carnivorous plant to 30 °C to thrive. Carnivorous plants require appropriate nutrient-poor soil. Most appreciate a 3:1 mixture of "Sphagnum" peat to sharp horticultural sand (coir is an acceptable, and more ecofriendly substitute for peat). "Nepenthes" will grow in orchid compost or in pure "Sphagnum" moss. Carnivorous plants are themselves susceptible to infestation by parasites such as aphids or mealybugs. Although small infestations can be removed by hand, larger infestations necessitate use of an insecticide. Isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol) is effective as a topical insecticide, particularly on scale insects. Diazinon is an excellent systemic insecticide that is tolerated by most carnivorous plants.
Plant cell quite elongated, and may divide transversely to give a septate appearance. The role of this cell type is to support the plant in axes still growing in length, and to confer flexibility and tensile strength on tissues. The primary wall lacks lignin that would make it tough and rigid, so this cell type provides what could be called plastic support – support that can hold a young stem or petiole into the air, but in cells that can be stretched as the cells around them elongate. Stretchable support (without elastic snap-back) is a good way to describe what collenchyma does.