How to Care for Carnivorous Plants

There seems to be a big misconception that carnivorous plants are really tricky to grow and require a lot of complex care - this could not be further from the truth.

If anything, these are probably the easiest plants to grow!

Pictured - a lone self-seeded lone Sundew growing in rainwater

🌿 Venus Flytrap (Dionaea muscipula) & Sarracenia (Trumpet Pitcher) Care Guide

🌞 Light

  • These plants love full sun. Aim for at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily.

  • Outdoors is ideal — a sunny patio, windowsill, or greenhouse.

  • Indoors, use a bright south-facing window or strong grow light for 12–14 hours per day.

💧 Water

  • Always use rainwater, distilled, or reverse osmosis water.

  • Keep soil consistently damp in spring and summer by standing pots in a tray.

  • In winter dormancy, reduce watering slightly — keep the soil just moist, never dry.

🌱 Soil

  • Use carnivorous plant compost only (usually a mix of sphagnum peat and perlite).

  • Never add fertiliser or normal compost — they get nutrients from what they eat.

🍽️ Feeding

  • Both species catch their own food.

  • Indoors, you can occasionally offer small live insects, but it’s not necessary.

  • Never feed meat, fertiliser or your fingers!

❄️ Winter Dormancy

  • From late autumn to early spring (Usually from Halloween to Valentines Day) , both Venus flytraps and Sarracenia enter a rest period.

  • Leaves will die back and growth will slow — this is normal - just cut the dead bits off!

  • Keep them cool and slightly damp.

  • A cold windowsill, unheated greenhouse, or shed works best.

  • New growth will appear in spring!

🪴 Repotting

  • Repot every 1–2 years in fresh carnivorous plant compost.

  • Best time: early spring before active growth starts.

❤️ Quick Tips

✅ Full sun (6+ hours)
✅ Rainwater or distilled only
✅ Keep soil damp, not flooded
✅ No fertiliser
✅ Cool winter dormancy

🌿 Drosera capensis Care Guide

(Cape Sundew)

Drosera capensis is one of the easiest and most rewarding carnivorous plants to grow. Native to South Africa, it’s tough, fast-growing, and a great plant for beginners. Follow these simple tips to keep yours thriving.

🌞 Light

  • Loves bright light and full sun — aim for at least 4–6 hours of direct sunlight daily.

  • Outdoors, it’s perfect for a sunny patio, windowsill, or greenhouse.

  • Indoors, place it by a south-facing window or under a grow light for 12–14 hours a day.

  • Plenty of light = redder tentacles and more dew!

💧 Water

  • Use only rainwater, distilled, or reverse osmosis water.

  • Keep soil consistently damp by standing a tray.

  • Never let the soil dry out.

  • In cooler months, you can reduce watering slightly but never let it dry completely.

🌱 Soil

  • Use carnivorous plant compost — a 50:50 mix of sphagnum peat and perlite.

  • Avoid normal potting soil or fertiliser — it will burn the roots.

🍽️ Feeding

  • The Cape Sundew catches plenty of small insects on its own with its sticky tentacles.

  • No need to feed it manually, especially outdoors.

  • Indoors, you can offer a tiny live insect occasionally, but it’s optional.

  • Don’t feed meat, fertiliser — they’ll just rot.

🌡️ Temperature & Dormancy

  • Drosera capensis doesn’t need a true dormancy.

  • It grows year-round in mild conditions but may slow down or lose leaves in winter — this is normal.

  • Keep it above 5°C, ideally between 10–25°C.

  • New leaves will quickly regrow as temperatures rise.

🪴 Repotting

  • Repot every 1–2 years in fresh carnivorous plant compost.

  • Best time: spring, when new growth appears.

❤️ Quick Tips

✅ Full sun (6+ hours)
✅ Rainwater or distilled only
✅ Keep soil damp
✅ No fertiliser or tap water
✅ No true dormancy needed

🌿 Cephalotus Care Guide

(Australian Pitcher Plant / Albany Pitcher Plant)

Cephalotus follicularis is a unique and rewarding carnivorous plant from Western Australia. It’s compact, fascinating, and full of character — once you get the basics right, it’s easy to keep happy for years!

🌞 Light

  • Cephalotus loves bright, indirect light.

  • Outdoors: filtered sunlight or light shade is ideal.

  • Indoors: a south or east-facing windowsill works well, or use a grow light for 12–14 hours a day.

💧 Water

  • Use rainwater, distilled, or reverse osmosis water only.

  • Keep the soil damp but not waterlogged — Cephalotus dislikes sitting in deep water for long periods.

  • In summer, you can keep a very shallow tray (about 0.5–1 cm) of water under the pot and let it dry before refilling.

  • In cooler months, water from above to keep the compost just moist.

🌱 Soil

  • Use carnivorous plant compost — a 50:50 mix of sphagnum peat and perlite.

🌡️ Temperature & Dormancy

  • Cephalotus enjoys mild conditions:

    • Day: 15–25°C

    • Night: 5–15°C

  • It doesn’t need a true dormancy, but a cooler winter rest helps it stay healthy.

  • In winter, reduce watering slightly and keep in a cool, bright spot (5–10°C) if possible.

🍽️ Feeding

  • Cephalotus catches small insects in its pitchers naturally.

  • No feeding is necessary — especially if grown outdoors or in a greenhouse.

  • Indoors, you can allow it to catch the odd fly if available, but don’t feed meat or fertiliser.

🪴 Repotting

  • Repot every 2–3 years in fresh, airy carnivorous compost.

  • Handle gently — Cephalotus roots are fragile.

  • Best time: early spring before new growth begins.

❤️ Quick Tips

✅ Bright light (avoid harsh midday sun)
✅ Rainwater or distilled only
✅ Damp but never soggy soil
✅ No fertiliser
✅ Cool rest in winter (5–10°C)

🌿 Cobra Lily Care Guide

(Darlingtonia californica)

The Cobra Lily is one of the most striking carnivorous plants in the world. Native to cool mountain bogs of California and Oregon, it’s a bit fussier than most — but once you understand what it likes, it’s surprisingly easy to keep happy.

🌞 Light

  • Loves bright, indirect light or gentle morning/evening sun.

  • Outdoors: ideal in cool, sunny but airy spots — think bright shade, not scorching sun.

  • Indoors: use a bright windowsill or cool grow area with plenty of fresh air circulation.

  • Too much heat or direct sun without airflow can cause roots to overheat — that’s the main thing to avoid!

💧 Water

  • Use rainwater, distilled, or reverse osmosis water only.

  • Cobra lilies need cool roots — that’s the secret.

  • Keep soil moist at all times, but avoid hot, stagnant water.

  • In summer, top-water regularly with cold rainwater to keep the roots cool.

  • Avoid deep trays of standing water in hot weather — shallow trays or overhead watering are better.

🌱 Soil

  • Use a very airy, cool, and free-draining mix.

  • Ideal mix: 2 parts sphagnum peat, 1 part perlite, 1 part sand, and optionally a bit of live sphagnum on top.

🌡️ Temperature & Dormancy

  • Cobra lilies prefer cool roots and mild air temperatures:

    • Day: 10–25°C

    • Night: 2–15°C

  • Avoid hot, stagnant conditions.

  • They need a winter dormancy from late autumn to early spring — keep them cool (2–10°C) and just moist.

  • New pitchers return each spring.

🍽️ Feeding

  • Cobra lilies catch insects naturally; they don’t need feeding.

  • Outdoors, they’ll catch plenty on their own.

🪴 Repotting

  • Repot every 1–2 years in fresh, airy carnivorous plant mix.

  • Best done in early spring before new growth starts.

  • Use deep pots to help keep roots cool — ceramic or insulated pots work great.

❤️ Quick Tips

✅ Bright, cool light
✅ Cool roots — never hot!
✅ Rainwater or distilled only
✅ Moist, airy soil
✅ Cool winter dormancy
✅ No fertiliser

Here is a guide on how to care for carnivorous plants, it’s surprisingly easy and straight forward: