You may have made a terrarium in school for a science project because they are simple to build and maintain. When grown outside, carnivorous terrarium plants “eat” insects, including flies, ants, and wasps. They can come in a variety of vibrant shapes and sizes. Even more interesting is watching them catch bugs. Pitcher plants alone have a variety of stunning colors, but I’ll also discuss the conditions needed for Venus fly traps and Sundew plants to grow to add even more variation.

The Carnivorous Terrarium

You will need a clear vase or terrarium that is taller (at least 10 inches) and has a small or narrow hole at the top. In addition to occasionally letting a tiny bug through, the opening allows air to pass through to prevent the roots from rotting.

They are on sale in stores that sell crafts and home furnishings. Because pitcher plants prefer to keep their bottom roots moist, a cover with a shallow water collection dish is also an excellent choice.

Growing Medium

Pitcher plants require that their roots be covered in a bed of sand covered in a layer of sphagnum peat moss. The peat moss adds aesthetic value while preventing the sand from drying up in between waterings, while the sand keeps its roots moist. Pitcher plants naturally grow in bog-like soils that are moist, sandy, and deficient in nutrients. Most of their nutrients come from bugs that have been digested. Because pitcher plants are extremely sensitive to contaminants, do not use home center sand for building. Instead, use pure quartz sand, such as pool filter sand.

You can add some potting soil to the sand layer for the venus fly trap and sundew plant sections of the terrarium. These plants will require a similar amount of watering to pitcher plants.

Watering

Again, you shouldn’t use tap water because the pitcher plant is intolerant to contaminants. Fluoride and chlorine are present. Instead, gather some rainwater or drink bottled water. Check the bottom of your terrarium at least every two days, regardless of whether it is exposed to sunlight.

To prevent root rot in pitcher plants, which naturally grow in bog settings and prefer to keep their “feet” wet, keep the sandy layer moist and the peat moss dry. I advise against fertilizing them. Pitchers prefer high humidity levels. If you live in a dry climate or have your plants exposed to the sun, mist them.

Sundew Plants, Pitcher Plants, and Venus Fly Traps

It is important to note that there are two distinct types of what are commonly referred to as “pitcher plants.” Tropical pitcher plants (Nepenthes species) are larger plants that are frequently grown in greenhouses and have very large pitchers that can hang from the plants when placed in hanging baskets. The pitcher plants used in this article are hardy (Sarracenia species), not tropical pitcher plants. Hardy pitcher plants have long cylindrical tubes for “pitchers” that rise above the plant’s foliage and are covered with a “hood” on top (see pictures below).

Pitcher plants trap bugs with small hairs inside the pitcher that point downwards, preventing the bugs from climbing back out. The pitcher’s bottom contains digestive fluid that liquefies the bugs.

Venus fly traps (Dionaea Muscipula) contain small hair-triggers; when flies touch the trigger, the trap (and teeth) close, and the fly is trapped inside. The more hairs that are activated, the faster and tighter the plant closes on insects that try to escape. The plant secretes an enzyme that digests the insect once it is inside.

Read more: How to Make and Maintain a Terrarium

Sundew plants (Drosera species) are also fascinating in their ability to capture insects. Sundews have small hairs covering them and a very sticky liquid on them. When an insect lands on them, the octopus-like tendrils wrap around them, encasing them in the sticky liquid, which is also a digestive fluid.

Carnivorous Terrarium plants require insects to survive

The quick answer is yes. Carnivorous plants obtain the majority of their nutrients in this manner. If you keep them outside, they should be fine. If you keep your terrarium indoors, I would take it out on a screened-in porch or patio on warm days.