GrowPharm – Horticultural Charcoal (Hortichar)

GrowPharm Horticultural Charcoal — also known as hortichar — is a versatile growing amendment trusted by hobbyists and professionals alike. It is widely used with orchids, bromeliads, and epiphytes, where improved drainage and cleaner root zones are essential.

This premium charcoal helps absorb impurities, reduce toxins, and limit the spread of fungus, keeping potting mixes fresher for longer. Beyond houseplants, it’s an excellent choice for terrariums, vivariums, and microfauna cultures, where maintaining a healthy environment is critical.

Key Benefits:

• Improves soil aeration and drainage

• Absorbs impurities and helps prevent fungus growth

• Ideal for orchids, bromeliads, and epiphytic plants

• Great for terrariums, vivariums, and microfauna setups

• Also referred to as hortichar

Volume may vary depending on particle size. 
Shipping and storage may reduce volume due to charcoal compression and breakage. This does not affect effectivity.  

SPECIFIC USAGE EXAMPLES:

Orchids and Bromeliads

Epiphytic plants like orchids and bromeliads need open, airy growing conditions. When added to orchid bark or bromeliad mixes, horticultural charcoal helps prevent compaction, improves drainage, and keeps the root zone fresh by absorbing excess salts and impurities. The result is a cleaner, longer-lasting medium that supports stronger roots and healthier blooms.

Monsteras and Philodendrons

For aroids such as Monsteras and Philodendrons, horticultural charcoal is a proven way to improve potting mixes. By keeping the soil loose and well-aerated, it reduces the risk of overwatering while supporting steady growth. Its natural filtering action helps extend the life of indoor potting blends, making it easier to grow large, lush foliage plants without constant repotting.

Isopods and Springtails

In bioactive terrariums and vivariums, horticultural charcoal is an essential layer beneath the substrate. You usually build a false bottom or drainage layer. Water trickles down through the soil and substrate, and if it just sits there, it goes stagnant, starts to smell, and can encourage mould and rot. Horticultural charcoal fixes that. The major benefit is: less smell, fewer mould issues, and a healthier environment for both plants and animals. That’s why it’s a standard layer in bioactive builds for crested geckos, dart frogs, and other species.