How To

How to Grow Carnivorous Plants

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By eHow Contributing Writer
(5 Ratings)

Carnivorous plants include specimens that catch their prey in passive traps, such as pitcher plants; those that catch their prey in semi-active traps, such as sundews; and the familiar speciments that employ active traps, such as Venus flytraps. Many carnivorous plants are bought on a whim, only to suffer a slow death at home. However, by following some simple requirements, your carnivorous plant purchase can be the start of an unusual hobby.

Difficulty: Moderate
Instructions

Things You'll Need:

  1. Step 1

    Think beyond Venus flytraps. Over 645 species of carnivorous plants have been described in literature. If your local nursery doesn't have many offerings, try a specialty mail order company such as Black Jungle Terrarium Supply.

  2. Step 2

    Start with easy plants if you are a beginner. Although found everywhere from hardware stores to dollar stores, Venus flytraps are surprisingly finicky. Hardier choices include sundews and Mexican butterworts.

  3. Step 3

    Provide the high humidity these unusual plants crave. Carnivorous plants grow in bogs and wetlands and like damp conditions. An outdoor bog garden, a greenhouse or an indoor terrarium provide suitable habitats.

  4. Step 4

    Keep the soil poor. The natural bog habitat of carnivorous plants is nutrient poor. Use peat or a mixture of peat and sand.

  5. Step 5

    Let the sun shine in. A common misnomer of carnivorous plants is that they thrive in shady conditions. On the contrary, most carnivorous plants need full sun. If growing them indoors, choose a south-facing window that receives at least four hours of sun daily.

  6. Step 6

    Use water with a neutral pH. Carnivorous plants are very sensitive to the chemicals found in tap water. Use collected rain water or purchase distilled water.

  7. Step 7

    Allow plants to trap whatever prey comes their way. Overfeeding carnivorous plants can be a death sentence. In fact, carnivorous plants do not require bugs to remain healthy. For indoor specimens, the occasional stray gnat suffices.

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