How to Care for Your Carnivorous Plants

These guides provide essential tips on watering, lighting, temperature, etc., as well as any additional care needed for optimal growth. Follow these guidelines to create an ideal environment for your carnivorous family.

Nepenthes (Tropical Pitcher Plant)

Light

  • Provide bright, indirect sunlight. Nepenthes typically thrive in filtered sunlight or dappled shade.
  • Bright artificial grow lights will also suffice.
  • Avoid direct, intense sunlight (especially in hot climates) as it can scorch the leaves.

Water

    • Use distilled, rain, or reverse osmosis (RO) water ONLY.
      • Some “pitchers” and other methods exist that will remove enough of the total dissolved solids (TDS) to work, such as the “Zero Water Pitcher” found on Amazon.
    • Avoid letting the substrate completely dry out, as Nepenthes are adapted to consistently humid conditions.
    • ‘Topwater’ when the top of the soil feels dry. Water thoroughly until it flows freely from the bottom. If possible, place the pot on or above a tray of water (either with a grate of sorts, on a layer of decorative rocks, etc.) Most Nepenthes prefer to sit just above the water line, to maintain a high relative humidity.

OR

  • We recommend the “tray method” in which you set the pot in a shallow dish/tray/bowl/etc. & about 1” of water. The plant will “water itself” from the bottom up. Do not allow the tray to fully dry, but do allow the water to evaporate somewhat before ‘topping off.’

Humidity

  • Your Pitcher Plant will greatly benefit from added humidity.
  • They can tolerate lower humidity, but will often stop growing new pitchers and you might see some die-off of existing pitchers.
  • You can add humidity for your pitcher plant by misting them, adding a humidifier nearby, or using a humidity tray

Temperature

Your Nepenthes will grow best in temperatures between 60°F – 90°F.

Food

  • Allow the plant to catch its own prey. Do not feed it human food!
  • If you choose to self-feed, use live insects, fish food, or dried mealworms/bloodworms/etc. and do so sparingly.
  • Carnivorous plants do not need traditional fertilizers; they obtain nutrients from insects.
  • However, if you wish to fertilize your carnivorous plants, we recommend using the “MaxSea” natural plant fertilizer
    • Dilute ¼ teaspoon into 1 gallon of distilled/RO/rainwater.
    • Pour into a spray bottle and spray over plant once per week.

Substrate

  • Use a well-draining, acidic substrate mix.
  • We recommend a mix of dried sphagnum moss & perlite/pumice (1:1).
  • A standard carnivorous plant mix (peat/sand/perlite, 1:1:1) will work as well, but we have found it to be far less effective.
  • Do not use potting soil, or anything containing premixed fertilizer!
  • Keep the substrate consistently moist.

Additional Care

  • You may trim away any dead or yellowing leaves; However, it is not necessary as nepenthes will naturally shed older leaves over time.
  • Some Nepenthes are climbers; provide a support structure for vertical growth when it becomes necessary.

Nepenthes (Tropical Pitcher Plants)

Light

  • Provide bright, indirect sunlight. Nepenthes typically thrive in filtered sunlight or dappled shade.
  • Bright artificial grow lights will also suffice.
  • Avoid direct, intense sunlight (especially in hot climates) as it can scorch the leaves.

Water

    • Use distilled, rain, or reverse osmosis (RO) water ONLY.
      • Some “pitchers” and other methods exist that will remove enough of the total dissolved solids (TDS) to work, such as the “Zero Water Pitcher” found on Amazon.
    • Avoid letting the substrate completely dry out, as Nepenthes are adapted to consistently humid conditions.
    • ‘Topwater’ when the top of the soil feels dry. Water thoroughly until it flows freely from the bottom. If possible, place the pot on or above a tray of water (either with a grate of sorts, on a layer of decorative rocks, etc.) Most Nepenthes prefer to sit just above the water line, to maintain a high relative humidity.

OR

  • We recommend the “tray method” in which you set the pot in a shallow dish/tray/bowl/etc. & about 1” of water. The plant will “water itself” from the bottom up. Do not allow the tray to fully dry, but do allow the water to evaporate somewhat before ‘topping off.’

Humidity

  • Your Pitcher Plant will greatly benefit from added humidity.
  • They can tolerate lower humidity, but will often stop growing new pitchers and you might see some die-off of existing pitchers.
  • You can add humidity for your pitcher plant by misting them, adding a humidifier nearby, or using a humidity tray

Temperature

Your Nepenthes will grow best in temperatures between 60°F – 90°F.

Food

  • Allow the plant to catch its own prey. Do not feed it human food!
  • If you choose to self-feed, use live insects, fish food, or dried mealworms/bloodworms/etc. and do so sparingly.
  • Carnivorous plants do not need traditional fertilizers; they obtain nutrients from insects.
  • However, if you wish to fertilize your carnivorous plants, we recommend using the “MaxSea” natural plant fertilizer
    • Dilute ¼ teaspoon into 1 gallon of distilled/RO/rainwater.
    • Pour into a spray bottle and spray over plant once per week.

Substrate

  • Use a well-draining, acidic substrate mix.
  • We recommend a mix of dried sphagnum moss & perlite/pumice (1:1).
  • A standard carnivorous plant mix (peat/sand/perlite, 1:1:1) will work as well, but we have found it to be far less effective.
  • Do not use potting soil, or anything containing premixed fertilizer!
  • Keep the substrate consistently moist.

Additional Care

  • You may trim away any dead or yellowing leaves; However, it is not necessary as nepenthes will naturally shed older leaves over time.
  • Some Nepenthes are climbers; provide a support structure for vertical growth when it becomes necessary.

Sarracenia (North American Pitcher Plants)

Light

  • Sarracenia thrive in at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily.
  • Place them in a location with ample sunlight, like an outdoor boggy planter, or a south-facing windowsill.
  • Bright artificial grow lights will also suffice.

Water

    • Use distilled, rain, or reverse osmosis (RO) water ONLY.
      • Some “pitchers” and other methods exist that will remove enough of the total dissolved solids (TDS) to work, such as the “Zero Water Pitcher” found on Amazon.
    • Avoid letting the substrate dry out completely. These plants will benefit from being consistently wet (but not soggy).
    • We recommend the “tray method” in which you set the pot in a shallow dish/tray/bowl/etc. & about 1” of water. The plant will “water itself” from the bottom up. Never allow the tray to dry out.

OR

  • ‘Topwater’ when the top inch of the soil feels slightly dry.

Humidity

  • Your Pitcher Plant will greatly benefit from added humidity.
  • They can tolerate lower humidity, but will often stop growing new pitchers and you might see some die-off of existing pitchers.
  • You can add humidity for your pitcher plant by misting them, adding a humidifier nearby, or using a humidity tray

Temperature

Your Sarracenia will grow best in temperatures between 70°F – 95°F.

Food

  • Allow the plant to catch its own prey. Do not feed it human food!
  • If you choose to self-feed, use live insects, fish food, or dried mealworms/bloodworms/etc. and do so sparingly.
  • Carnivorous plants do not need traditional fertilizers; they obtain nutrients from insects.
  • However, if you wish to fertilize your carnivorous plants, we recommend using the “MaxSea” natural plant fertilizer
    • Dilute ¼ teaspoon into 1 gallon of distilled/RO/rainwater.
    • Pour into a spray bottle and spray over plant once per week.

Substrate

  • Use a well-draining, acidic substrate mix.
  • We recommend a mix of peat, silica sand, & perlite/pumice. (1:1:1)
  • Sphagnum moss & perlite/pumice (1:1) will work as well, but we have found it to not be as effective.
  • Do not use potting soil, or anything containing premixed fertilizer!
  • Keep the substrate consistently moist.

Additional Care

  • You may trim away any dead or yellowing pitchers; However, it is not necessary as they will die off on their own over time.
  • Sarracenia may experience winter dormancy. Reduce watering if you are in a cooler environment (around 35-45°F / 2-7°C) for 2-3 months during this time.

Dionaea Muscipula (Venus Flytraps)

Light

  • Venus Flytraps thrive in at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily.
  • Place them in a location with ample sunlight, like an outdoor boggy planter, or a south-facing windowsill.
  • Bright artificial grow lights will also suffice.

Water

  • Use distilled, rain, or reverse osmosis (RO) water ONLY.
    • Some “pitchers” and other methods exist that will remove enough of the total dissolved solids (TDS) to work, such as the “Zero Water Pitcher” found on Amazon.
  • Avoid letting the substrate dry out completely. These plants will benefit from being consistently wet (but not soggy).
  • We recommend the “tray method” in which you set the pot in a shallow dish/tray/bowl/etc. & about 1” of water. The plant will “water itself” from the bottom up. Never allow the tray to dry out.

OR

  • ‘Topwater’ when the top inch of the soil feels slightly dry.

Humidity

  • Your Venus Flytrap will greatly benefit from added humidity.
  • They can tolerate lower humidity, but will often stop growing new traps and you might see some die-off of existing traps.
  • You can add humidity for your plant by misting them, adding a humidifier nearby, or using a humidity tray

Temperature

Your Sarracenia will grow best in temperatures between 70°F – 95°F.

Food

  • Allow the plant to catch its own prey. Do not feed it human food!
  • If you choose to self-feed, use live insects, fish food, or dried mealworms/bloodworms/etc. and do so sparingly.
  • Carnivorous plants do not need traditional fertilizers; they obtain nutrients from insects.
  • However, if you wish to fertilize your carnivorous plants, we recommend using the “MaxSea” natural plant fertilizer
    • Dilute ¼ teaspoon into 1 gallon of distilled/RO/rainwater.
    • Pour into a spray bottle and spray over plant once per week.

Substrate

  • Use a well-draining, acidic substrate mix.
  • We recommend a mix of peat, silica sand, & perlite/pumice. (1:1:1)
  • Sphagnum moss & perlite/pumice (1:1) will work as well, but we have found it to not be as effective.
  • Do not use potting soil, or anything containing premixed fertilizer!
  • Keep the substrate consistently moist.

Additional Care

  • You may trim away any dead or yellowing traps; However, it is not necessary as they will die off on their own over time.
  • Venus Flytraps may experience winter dormancy. Reduce watering if you are in a cooler environment (around 35-45°F / 2-7°C) for 2-3 months during this time.

Drosera (Sundews)

Light

  • Drosera generally require bright, indirect sunlight. They thrive in full sun but can tolerate partial shade as well. Provide at least 6 hours of sunlight daily.
  • Place them in a location with ample sunlight, like an outdoor boggy planter, or a south-facing windowsill.
  • Bright artificial grow lights will also suffice.

Water

    • Use distilled, rain, or reverse osmosis (RO) water ONLY.
      • Some “pitchers” and other methods exist that will remove enough of the total dissolved solids (TDS) to work, such as the “Zero Water Pitcher” found on Amazon.
    • Never let the substrate dry out.
    • We recommend the “tray method” in which you set the pot in a shallow dish/tray/bowl/etc. & about 1” of water. The plant will “water itself” from the bottom up. Never allow the tray to dry out. These plants will benefit from being consistently wet (but not soggy).

OR

  • ‘Topwater’ when the top inch of the soil feels slightly dry.

Humidity

  • Your Sundew will greatly benefit from added humidity.
  • They can tolerate lower humidity, but will often stop growing and you might see some die-off of existing leaves.
  • You can add humidity for your plant by misting them, adding a humidifier nearby, or using a humidity tray

Temperature

Your Drosera will grow best in temperatures between 50°F – 95°F.

Food

  • Allow the plant to catch its own prey. Do not feed it human food!
  • If you choose to self-feed, use live insects, fish food, or dried mealworms/bloodworms/etc. and do so sparingly.
  • Carnivorous plants do not need traditional fertilizers; they obtain nutrients from insects.
  • However, if you wish to fertilize your carnivorous plants, we recommend using the “MaxSea” natural plant fertilizer
    • Dilute ¼ teaspoon into 1 gallon of distilled/RO/rainwater.
    • Pour into a spray bottle and spray over plant once per week.

Substrate

  • Use a well-draining, acidic substrate mix.
  • We recommend a mix of peat, silica sand, & perlite/pumice. (1:1:1)
  • Sphagnum moss, sand, & perlite/pumice (1:1:1) will work as well, but we have found it to not be as effective.
  • Do not use potting soil, or anything containing premixed fertilizer!
  • Keep the substrate consistently moist.

Additional Care

  • You may trim away any dead or yellowing leaves; However, it is not necessary as sundew often produce new leaves that will overlap the older ones.