Carnivorous Plants
If you’ve ever wanted to grow plants that eat bugs, you’re in the right place!
We carry one of the largest selections of carnivorous plants in the area, including several fascinating species that trap insects in completely different ways. These plants are not only beautiful and unusual, they’re also surprisingly easy to grow when you understand their basic needs.
Tips for Growing Carnivorous Plants Successfully
Most carnivorous plants share a few important care rules:
• Use distilled, rainwater, or reverse osmosis water
• Avoid regular potting soil or fertilizers
• Provide bright light
• Keep soil consistently moist
These plants evolved in nutrient-poor environments, so they get their nutrients from insects instead of soil.
Venus Flytrap (Dionaea muscipula)
The Venus Flytrap is probably the most famous carnivorous plant in the world. Its jaw-like traps snap shut when tiny trigger hairs are touched by an insect, making it one of the fastest plant movements in nature.
Light
Bright light is essential. Venus flytraps grow best with 4–6 hours of direct sun each day or under strong grow lights.
Water
Use distilled water, rainwater, or reverse osmosis water only. Tap water can damage the plant because of minerals.
Keep the soil consistently moist by placing the pot in a shallow tray of water.
Soil
Carnivorous plants should never be grown in regular potting soil. A mix of sphagnum peat moss and perlite works best.
Feeding
Flytraps catch their own food when grown outdoors or near insects. If kept indoors, an occasional small insect is enough. Avoid overfeeding.
Dormancy
Venus flytraps naturally go dormant in winter. Growth slows and some traps may die back, which is completely normal.
Tropical Pitcher Plant (Nepenthes)
Tropical Pitcher Plant are some of the most striking carnivorous plants you can grow. Their colorful hanging pitchers lure insects inside, where they become trapped in digestive fluid.
Light
Bright indirect light works best. Avoid harsh afternoon sun indoors.
Water
Use distilled, rainwater, or reverse osmosis water. Keep the soil lightly moist but not sitting in standing water.
Humidity
Pitcher plants prefer moderate to high humidity, which helps them form healthy pitchers.
Soil
A loose, airy mix works best, often including long-fiber sphagnum moss, orchid bark, and perlite.
Feeding
They will catch insects naturally. Indoor plants may occasionally benefit from a small insect in a pitcher.
Cape Sundew (Drosera capensis)
The Cape Sundew is one of the easiest carnivorous plants to grow, making it perfect for beginners.
Its leaves are covered in sparkling sticky droplets that attract and trap insects.
Light
Bright light or partial sun is ideal.
Water
Keep the soil consistently moist using distilled or rainwater. Sundews love the tray method where the pot sits in shallow water.
Soil
A typical carnivorous plant mix of peat moss and perlite works well.
Feeding
Sundews are excellent at catching small insects like gnats and fruit flies. They rarely need additional feeding.
Growth
Cape Sundews grow quickly and often produce new plants from seed, making them a fun species to propagate.
Butterwort (Pinguicula)
Butterwort may not look carnivorous at first glance. Their soft, succulent-like leaves hide a secret. The leaves are coated in sticky glands that trap small insects.
Light
Bright indirect light is best.
Water
Use distilled or rainwater. Keep soil lightly moist but not constantly soaked.
Soil
Butterworts prefer a lighter mineral-based mix compared to other carnivorous plants.
Feeding
These plants are great for catching fungus gnats and tiny flies, making them popular for indoor growers.
Growth
Many species form attractive rosettes and can even produce beautiful flowers.
Why These Are In-Store Only
Plants are living, delicate, and actively growing. Shipping exposes them to temperature shifts, delays, and stress that can seriously harm plant health.
- Healthier plants
- Better success for customers
- Personal guidance
- Stronger long-term growth
We want your plant to thrive — not just survive.
Come Visit Us In-Store & Discover More Plants
The Black Thumb
254 N Hendrickson Dr, Suite 103, Kalama, WA 98625
+1 (360) 314-7978
Open Tuesday - Sunday: 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Closed Mondays