The Care of Carnivorous (Insectivorous) Plants:

True natives of the Americas!

Venus Fly Trap (Dionaea muscipula) -Tiny white flowers emerge in spring, develops bulbs, foliage turns red in bright sunlight. Digestion of insects typically lasts 3-5 days.
Pitcher Plant (Sarracenia sp.) – Flowers (‘Pitchers’) can range from 4”-36”, pitfall type trapper.
Sundew (Drosera)- an adhesive type insect trapper
Butterwort (Pinguicula) - an adhesive type insect trapper

We recommend that you not remove the plastic dome for extended periods of time. Avoid touching the foliage of carnivorous plants - traps on the Venus fly trap only close 3 to 4 times in their life cycle and will subsequently turn black if over-stimulated. Remove blackened traps, pitchers and spent flowers as they weaken the plant needlessly.

• Light: Insectivorous plants do best with bright light and full sun.
• Humidity: plants do best in terrariums. You will find it necessary to provide warm humid environments, as  found in terrariums, for extended life.
• Temperature: Winter (dormancy) temperatures should be a minimum of 50F (32F for Sarracenia) and 60F maximum. Carnivorous plants must have cooler temperatures to achieve dormancy - which is crucial to plant life cycle. Long periods above 60F break dormancy, resulting in weaker growth next season. Summer temperatures should optimally be 70F – 100F. Provide shade when temperatures exceed 90F.
• Soil: Acidic mix (pH 4.0-4.5) of equal volumes of peat moss and washed sharp sand.
• Fertilizing: DO NOT feed with chemical plant food. Added chemicals may permanently damage sensitive tissues of the plant. Insectivorous plants do not necessarily need to be fed indoors but the occasional fly can be introduced. NEVER feed a carnivorous plant red meat (such as hamburger) – the fat content will kill the plant. Always be aware that carnivorous plants develop poorly when they are well nourished.

Watering: During the spring through fall it is best to keep insectivorous plants covered (domed) to avoid unnecessary watering. If plants should happen to dry out, set them in a shallow-depth tray of non-chlorinated, rain or distilled water (.5”-1”) over night. In the winter, or slow growth seasons, the soil may be allowed to become partially dry as the plant undergoes dormancy.