Care Sheet - Carnivorous Plants
Carnivorous Plants
Incl. Dionaea muscipula “Venus Flytrap” & Nepenthes “Pitcher Plant”
Light: These plants prefer at least 6hrs. of sun, ideally in a southern / western exposure.
Water: Because they are native to very wet bogs and swamps, it is best to keep them in a pot with drainage, sitting on a tray of distilled water. They need to be kept constantly moist, and don’t tolerate the salts / chemicals in tap water very well. You can use distilled water or leave a container of tap water out for 24-48 hours so that enough chemicals will have evaporated to water with.
Environment: They need 50% or more ambient humidity. Because of this, they thrive in terrariums and closed containers. Ensure it is potted in peat / sphagnum moss or a special carnivorous plant mix. Do not fertilize.
Toxicity: Reported to be mildly toxic to cats / dogs if ingested.
Of note:
- Resist the urge to trigger the traps with your finger because the action of the trap requires so much energy, they die after 3-5 triggers. If you trigger all your traps, your plant could die.
- Carnivory in plants is an adaptation to low nutrient bogs.
*When planting in a pot without a drainage hole, avoid over watering by estimating 25% of the container’s overall volume, with appropriate drainage materials incorporated when planting.