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Best carnivorous plants to grow
- BBC Gardeners' World Magazine
Published: Tuesday, 12 December 2023 at 3:48 pm
We list our pick of the best carnivorous plants to grow.
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This article has been checked for horticultural accuracy by Oliver Parsons.
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Most people are familiar with well-known carnivorous plants such as Venus flytraps, but there are lots of other beautiful types to grow, too.
Hardy types such as sarracenias have a few care requirements, including: always watering with rainwater from a water butt or bucket left outside and continuing to keep the compost moist; ensuring they have lots of direct sunlight; and giving them a period of winter cold by keeping them in an unheated shed, conservatory or greenhouse.
Tropical species such as nepenthes have slightly different care requirements. For example, no period of winter rest is needed. They enjoy bright light with little direct sun, and they need plenty of warmth and humidity - a bright, steamy bathroom is ideal. Rainwater is still best when watering. Unlike the hardy species, tropical species aren't bog plants, so don't need to be standing in water all the time.
Related content:
- Carnivorous plant pot display
- 10 tips for growing carnivorous plants
Sarracenia 'Juthatip Soper', pitcher plant
Pitcher plant (Sarracenia 'Juthatip Soper'). David Bagnall/Alamy
Sarracenias hybridise readily, so there are lots of beautiful hybrids to grow. Sarracenia ‘Juthatip Soper’ has glorious pink and red pitchers that can reach 30cm in height. Grow in full sun so they can produce the best pitcher colour. Frost hardy in mild or coastal areas.
Sarracenia flava, yellow pitcher plant
Yellow pitcher plant (Sarracenia flava). Getty Images
Sarracenia flava is an eye-catching species that produces tall, lime-green pitchers with red veining on the throats and erect hoods. The dramatic yellow flowers reach 10cm across. Frost hardy in mild or coastal areas.
Sarracenia purpurea subsp. venosa, purple pitcher plant
Purple pitcher plant (Sarracenia purpurea subsp. venosa). Getty Images
With squat pitchers reaching only 30cm in height, Sarracenia purpurea subsp. venosa is a compact variety of this attractive carnivorous plant. The green traps have dramatic purple-red veining that continues onto the upright hoods. Frost hardy in mild or coastal areas.
Drosera binata var. multifida, forked sundew
Pink-haired, forked sundew (Drosera binata var. multifida)
Droseras are commonly known as sundews. They trap their pray by luring them in with glistening, sweet secretions that stick to unfortunate insects. Most species are able to bend their leaves and tentacles around trapped prey, which allows more digestive enzymes to come into contact with it, speeding digestion. Drosera binata var. multifida is an especially attractive forked sundew. Frost hardy in mild or coastal areas.
Nepenthes x ventrata, monkey cup
Hanging, red-bronze pitchers of the monkey cup (Nepenthes x ventrata)
This hybrid tropical pitcher plant is one of the easiest to grow. Grow Nepenthes x ventrata in a warm, bright room in a hanging container, ideally where it can receive a few hours of direct sun a day. Keep the soil moist at all times and give it a regular misting. Tender.
Sarracenia minor 'Okefenokee Giant', hooded pitcher plant
Tall, hooded, green pitchers of 'Okefenokee Giant' (Sarracenia minor)
Hooded pitcher plants, Sarracenia minor, typically reach around 30cm in height, but the pitchers of 'Okefenokee Giant' can reach 80cm. The backs of the pitchers are covered in white spots and are thought to act as a a lure. Frost hardy in mild or coastal areas.
Dionaea muscipula, Venus flytrap
Venus flytrap (Dionaea muscipula)
Venus flytrap (Dionaea muscipula) is one of the most frequently grown carnivorous plants – people can't get enough of their snapping leaves. Grow it in full sun in a warm, bright room and keep well watered with rainwater. Mist regularly to boost humidity. Frost hardy in mild or coastal areas.
Sarracenia flava var. cuprea, coppery yellow pitcher plant
Coppery yellow pitcher plant (Sarracenia flava var. cuprea). Paul Debois
Sarracenia flava var. cuprea is an elegant pitcher plant that grows to around 80cm in height. The slender, green traps have red veining that becomes more conspicuous on the underside of the coppery-brown hoods that gave rise to its common name: the copper top pitcher plant. Frost hardy in mild or coastal areas.
Cephalotus follicularis, Australian pitcher plant
Pitcher chalice of Cephalotus follicularis. Getty Images
The Australian pitcher plant (Cephalotus follicularis) is a tiny species with a big appetite. The 10cm-tall traps resemble open mouths with 24 bands of red ‘teeth’ and a heavily veined pale upper lip formed by the overarching hood. Tender.
Sarracenia flava var. maxima, pitcher plant
Sarracenia flava var. maxima
Sarracenia flava var. maxima is a vigorous plant with lime-green, veinless pitchers that can reach 90cm in height. It makes a fantastic contrast to red sarracenias. Frost hardy in mild or coastal areas.
Drosera capensis, Cape sundew
Cape Sundew (Drosera Capensis). Getty Images
Like Drosera binata var. multifida, the Cape sundew (Drosera capensis) has many strap-like leaves covered in sticky hairs that trap insect prey. Plants reach 15cm in height and produce pink flowers on green stems during the growing season. Frost hardy in mild or coastal areas.
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Advice on buying carnivorous plants
- Make sure you have the right conditions for your plants before purchasing
- Many carnivorous plants are grown in peat-based compost, so it is worth trying to find a peat-free supplier and asking what the plants have been grown in before buying
- Always buy plants from reputable suppliers or specialist nurseries
Where to buy carnivorous plants
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