Carnivorous Plants
Drosera occidentalis
Drosera occidentalis is a carnivorous plant endemic to Western Australia, found in wetlands between Perth and Pinjarra. It has the smallest leaf-blades of any Drosera species, measuring just 1 millimeter in diameter. This unique plant is adapted to its specialized habitat.
Utricularia blanchetii
Utricularia blanchetii is a perennial bladderwort with small, narrow leaves and tiny bladder traps for catching small critters. It produces lilac-colored flowers with dark purple tops and bright yellow throats in spring and fall. This plant prefers sandy peat that is constantly moist and is ideal for terrariums and greenhouses.
Sarracenia catesbaei
Sarracenia catesbaei is a carnivorous plant with red veins and bright green coloration, growing up to 18 inches tall. It requires moist to wet soil and at least 5 hours of direct sun, making it a unique addition to bog gardens.
Drosera paleacea 'Cranbrook'
Drosera paleacea 'Cranbrook' is a tiny Australian pygmy sundew that requires full sun or bright light. It has special water needs, preferring rain, RO, or distilled water, and should not dry out for more than a day. This carnivorous plant is a unique addition to any collection.
Utricularia sandersonii
Utricularia sandersonii, known as Sanderson's Bladderwort, is a carnivorous plant endemic to South Africa. It grows as a lithophyte on wet rocky surfaces and features white flowers with pale blue markings resembling rabbits' ears. This plant thrives in bright, indirect light and constant moisture, making it suitable for windowsills and greenhouses.
Brocchinia reducta
Brocchinia reducta is a carnivorous bromeliad native to the cool Tepuis of Northeastern South America. It grows in nutrient-poor, high moisture soil and features a funnel-like structure with a waxy coating that attracts insects. The plant emits a sweet odor to lure prey and has leaves that form a water-storing cup to trap insects.
Sarracenia purpurea
Sarracenia purpurea, a carnivorous pitcher plant, is native to nutrient-poor, acidic bogs and is the most cold-tolerant of its kind. It forms a 1-foot wide clump with red-veined green pitchers that turn red in fall. This plant captures prey with the help of an invertebrate community and produces red flowers in spring. It is the floral emblem of Newfoundland and Labrador and is easy to grow in suitable conditions.
Utricularia reniformis
Utricularia reniformis is a large carnivorous plant native to Brazil, known for its lavender blooms and unique bladderwort family characteristics. It can grow as a terrestrial plant in wet grasslands or as an epiphyte, requiring bright light and a well-draining mix. This plant is fascinating for its carnivorous nature and adaptability to different growing conditions.
Nepenthes vieillardii
Nepenthes vieillardii is a carnivorous plant endemic to New Caledonia, growing in shrublands or forests up to 900 meters altitude. It is the easternmost growing Nepenthes species and prefers very well-drained soils, with a need to dry out slightly between waterings.
Utricularia gibba
Utricularia gibba, a carnivorous aquatic plant, is found worldwide except Antarctica. Known for its small genome, it forms mats of thread-like stolons with bladder traps. This plant produces bright yellow flowers and thrives in nutrient-poor, tannin-rich waters. It can be invasive in warm climates and is notable for its unique trap mechanism.
Sarracenia 'Scarlet Belle'
Sarracenia 'Scarlet Belle' is a hybrid carnivorous plant with striking red and white pitchers. It forms a compact clump and can produce up to 100 pitchers, which darken to deep red maroon in fall. This plant is native to the southeastern United States and thrives in bog gardens, attracting insects with its unique appearance.
Drosera madagascariensis
Drosera madagascariensis is a carnivorous plant native to tropical Africa and Madagascar, known for its robust stem-forming growth and alternate leaf arrangement. It can reach a height of up to 25 cm and produces inflorescences with 4-12 pink flowers. This tropical sundew thrives in swamps and sphagnum bogs, requiring bright light and warm conditions, making it a fascinating addition to collections of carnivorous plants.
Drosera pygmaea
Drosera pygmaea, known as pygmy sundews, is a tiny carnivorous plant native to Australia and New Zealand. It forms a rosette and measures only 8 to 18 mm in diameter. The plant produces pale flowers on stems that can reach up to 3 inches tall. Its small size and unique carnivorous nature make it an intriguing addition to collections of unusual plants.
Drosera binata 'Multifida Extrema'
Drosera binata 'Multifida Extrema' is a carnivorous plant with dewy fronds that catch flying pests. It thrives in full sun or bright lighting and requires water from rain, reverse osmosis, or distilled sources. This sundew is a fascinating addition to any carnivorous plant collection.
Drosera 'Lantau Island X Anglica'
Drosera 'Lantau Island X Anglica' is a hybrid sundew with a large rosette of paddle-shaped leaves in deep burgundy red. It features numerous tentacles with sparkling "dew drops" and sterile pink blossoms on multi-flowered scapes. This plant thrives in open, sunny, boggy conditions and requires a winter rest for optimal growth.
Nepenthes hirsuta
Nepenthes hirsuta is a tropical pitcher plant endemic to Borneo, known for its bright green pitchers and hairy leaves. It grows in heavily shaded areas and is adapted to a wide range of habitats. This plant is best grown in intermediate or lowland conditions.
Drosera paleacea ssp. roseana
Drosera paleacea ssp. roseana is a pygmy sundew from Western Australia, known for its orangey-red leaves in a dense rosette. It thrives in sunny, humid spots with sandy-peat soil and produces small, fragrant white flowers in mid-summer.
Drosera darwinensis
Drosera darwinensis is a carnivorous plant native to the Northern Territory of Australia, known for its large circular traps that turn red under strong light. It prefers hot temperatures, high humidity, and a mix of peat and perlite, making it a unique addition to plant collections.
Nepenthes vogelii
Nepenthes vogelii is a tropical pitcher plant endemic to Borneo, known for its cylindrical lower pitchers and funnel-shaped upper pitchers with iridescent striping. It grows as an epiphyte in submontane forests and is part of the 'N. maxima complex'. This fast-growing carnivorous plant is suitable for outdoor cultivation in warm climates.
Nepenthes ventricosa
Nepenthes ventricosa is a hardy and adaptable carnivorous plant native to the Philippines, known for its waisted, waxy pitchers that range from ivory white to red. It thrives in a variety of conditions, including lowland, intermediate, and highland environments, making it beginner-friendly. This plant is excellent at catching large insects and can be grown indoors or outdoors in warm weather.
Nepenthes alata
Nepenthes alata is a vigorous growing carnivorous plant from the Philippines, known for its ability to attract and digest insects using nectar. It requires warm and humid conditions and is considered an intermediate tropical plant. This species is highly polymorphic, with variations in coloration and morphology, making it a fascinating addition to carnivorous plant collections. Its unique appearance and specific care needs offer a glimpse into the diverse world of tropical plants.
Sarracenia 'Barba Green'
Sarracenia 'Barba Green' is a compact, clumpy grower that thrives in sunny, boggy conditions. This naturally occurring hybrid features dark red fragrant flowers in early spring and is suitable for terraria, bog gardens, and indoor environments.
Nepenthes spectabilis
Nepenthes spectabilis is a tropical pitcher plant native to Sumatra, known for its striking light green pitchers with dark brown speckles. It grows in highland regions at elevations between 4,600 and 7,200 feet. This climbing plant can reach up to 20 feet in length, with tendrils extending up to 10 inches. The plant thrives in mossy and stunted upper montane forests, often growing alongside other Nepenthes species. It is a carnivorous plant, capturing insects like stink bugs and wasps. The species is considered vulnerable, highlighting its need for conservation efforts.
Sarracenia popei
Sarracenia popei is a hybrid carnivorous plant resulting from a cross between S. flava and S. rubra. It features tall, plentiful pitchers and striking orange-red flowers, growing to a height of 4 to 6 inches. This temperate perennial thrives in bog gardens, greenhouses, and indoor settings, preferring bright to partial bright light indoors and full to partial sun outdoors. It requires a specific soil mix, such as Upper Bog Mix or General CP Mix, to flourish.
Utricularia longifolia
Utricularia longifolia is a large perennial carnivorous plant native to Brazil, known for its beautiful deep purple blooms and slender green leaves. It thrives in wet, humid conditions and is popular among carnivorous plant enthusiasts.
Sarracenia purpurea ssp. purpurea
Sarracenia purpurea ssp. purpurea, also known as Devil's Boots or Side-Saddle Flower, is a low-growing carnivorous plant with stout traps. It displays a striking burgundy color with red veins in full sun and turns deep reddish-purple in winter. The plant forms clumps that can spread to over 4 feet across, with traps retaining their color for nearly two years. It blooms in early spring with fragrant, deep red flowers. Native to regions from Maryland to Newfoundland, it is hardy to zone 2 and suitable for terrariums and backyard bog gardens. Historically, it was used in colonial homeopathic medicine.
Drosera mannii
Drosera mannii is a carnivorous plant native to Western Australia, known for its sunny location preference and special water needs, such as distilled or rainwater. This pygmy sundew is a fascinating addition to carnivorous plant collections, requiring specific care to thrive.
Utricularia subulata
Utricularia subulata is a fascinating annual carnivorous plant with a wide distribution across tropical regions. Known for its bright yellow flowers, this bladderwort thrives in sandy peat that remains consistently moist. It features subterranean stolons with small leaves and bladder traps that capture tiny soil organisms. The plant flowers in early spring and dies back to its stolons in winter, making it a unique addition to any collection of carnivorous plants.
Sarracenia 'Red Sumatra'
This nearly all-red pitcher plant is a naturally occurring hybrid of S. flava and S. leucophylla, known for its prolific nectar glands that attract many insects. The red traps darken to deep red by mid-summer, and a second crop of maroon pitchers appears in the fall. It produces showy orange-red flowers that bloom from April to May and requires full sun for its red coloration. The plant grows well in bog gardens, greenhouses, and indoors if provided dormancy.
Sarracenia moorei
Sarracenia moorei is a tall, erect hybrid pitcher plant with orangey-yellow and green tubes and a reddish hood. It is slightly fragrant and blooms in early spring with yellowy-orange flowers. This plant is well-suited for backyard bog gardens and is hardy to zone 4.