What do carnivorous plants need to grow?

Specimen of Darlingtonia californica

darlingtonia californica 

Carnivorous plants are a type of plant that attracts the most attention: unlike other plants, they feed on the bodies of insects in order to survive, and it is that in the soil where they grow there are so few nutrients, that if not if they did it this way they would quickly become weak and perish.

When they are grown, this is something that must be taken into account, since we cannot pay them. If we did, its roots would burn because they are not prepared to absorb such amount of nutrients. To avoid trouble, let us know what do carnivorous plants need to grow.

Luz

Sarracenia rubra specimen

sarracenia rubra

All plants need light to grow, but there are some that need to be exposed directly and others indirectly. In the case of carnivores, we meet some genres who are really sun lovers, such as the Sarracenia or the Dionaea, but there are others like Drosera, Drosophyllum or the Genlisea, which must be protected from the star king.

Water

Whether distilled or, even better, rain, water is essential to life. We have to water our carnivores very often, especially in summer, preventing the substrate from drying out. During the warmer months of the year it is highly recommended to put a plate under them and fill it up; the rest of the year we will go scolding two or three times a week.

Substratum

The substrate for carnivorous plants It must be composed of blond peat mixed with perlite in equal parts. You cannot use black peat or growing medium for plants, let's say conventional, due to its pH (too high) or the amount of nutrients it contains. We will use it to fill plastic pots.

Warm weather

Sarracenia rubra specimen

sarracenia rubra

The vast majority of species do not tolerate frost, with some exceptions such as Drosophyllum, Darlingtonia, or Sarracenia, so it is very important that they are grown outdoors only if the climate is mild. Of course, we have to take into account that the same plants that do withstand the cold are also plants that need hibernate at a temperature of up to -2ºC.

With these tips, we can have some beautiful carnivorous plants 🙂.


4 comments, leave yours

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  1.   Ruben said

    very useful thanks

    1.    Monica Sanchez said

      We're glad it worked for you, Ruben.

    2.    Miguel said

      Hello, I would like to know how long it takes for the new traps or leaves to grow
      of a muscipula dionea

      1.    Monica Sanchez said

        Hi miguel.
        It depends on the season of the year and the weather, but if they are in full growing season for a few days, maybe 3-5.
        Here you have the care of the Dionea in case you may be interested 🙂.
        Greetings.