Overview
Carnivorous plants are flowering plants that capture and digest animals as a source of nitrogen. More than 670 species and subspecies of these plants exist in bogs and wetland areas. These plants consume insects to make up for the nutrient deficiency of the soil in which they grow.
Native Habitat
Carnivorous plants grow best in continuously damp soils identifiable to their native habitat. Directly watering the plants could cause severe damage to plant structure. To keep soil moist, water can be added to the plant container.
Features
Carnivorous plants grow in nutrient-poor soils. Therefore, mineral-free water such as rainwater or distilled water is best for moistening the plant's soil. The minerals from tap water can destroy the plants.
Effects
Most carnivorous plants thrive in sunny conditions. They depend on the energy from the sun to built roots and leaves, resist disease and digest insects.
Survival Technique
As most carnivorous plants are native to temperate climates, a dormancy period for rejuvenation must be established. The plants will not survive for long if they are not allowed to exercise this natural protective mechanism.
Warning
Carnivorous plants do not need constant feeding for survival. Most plants flourish with one or two insects a month that they can catch themselves. Never fertilize your carnivorous plants as this will quickly destroy them.
Types
Carnivorous plants are more challenging to grow than other gardening plants and houseplants. Venus flytraps (Dionaea), pitcher plants (Nepenthes), bladderworts (Utricularia) and sundews (Drosera) are, perhaps, the easiest with many preferring the Venus flytrap.
- Carnivorous Plant Nursery
- International Carnivourous Plant Society
- Carnivorous Insectivors
Keywords:
growing carnivorous plants, plants that eat insects, venus flytraps
About this Author
Loraine Degraff has been a writer and educator since 1999. She recently began focusing on topics pertaining to health and environmental issues. She is published in "Healthy Life Place" and "Humdinger" and also writes for Suite101. Degraff holds a Master's degree in Communications Design from Pratt Institute.
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