Carnivorous Plant Care

Venus Fly Traps and Pitcher Plants are very handy plants to have around the house, especially if you live in an area that's prone to having a large population of flies and other pesky bugs and insects. Carnivorous plants are easy to care for, so long as you follow the exact directions that normally come with the purchase of each plant (seen as those little plastic plant stakes in the pots when you buy them).

If you no longer have the plastic stake instructions, here are some handy tips for keeping your carnivorous plants happy, healthy and living long :)

1) Do not give them any type of plant food at all. They get all the nutrients they need from the bugs and insects they trap.
2) Do not repot in potting soil. Instead, dig up plain dirt from your yard and replant them into a pot filled with that dirt.
3) Keep the plant in moist soil (they drink a lot of water). This will help cut down on the number of times you will need to water the plant each week (normally once a week should be enough)
4) If you have a Pitcher Plant, and live in a tropical area, you can force the plant to go into a winter dormancy stage (if you wish to), so that it will sprout better growth the next year (it's not necessary though)
5) If you live in an area that has dramatic temperature changes, you can leave your plants indoors, setting them in areas that have direct sunlight.
6) Carnivorous plants do not require larger pots. Transplanting them into larger pots "so they have room to grow" is not necessary because these plants tend to grow up, not out. When transplanting carnivorous plants, only plant them in pots that have between 1/2 - 1 inch of space between the base of the plant and the edge of the pot.
7) Transplant them into pots that have saucers on them. This will help you monitor the amount of water they need. If the saucer is dry, and the soil is dry to, then they need to be watered until there is a visible water level in the saucer.
8) Don't be afraid to dead head the plants. If you see part of the plant that is completely dry, wilted, turning brown or completely collapsed, simply take a pair of scissors and cut that area of the plant off at the base of the stem. It will then allow room for a brand new stalk/stem to grow in its place.