Carnivorous plants are fascinating and add a very unique element to any plant collection. Carnivorous plants are known to catch and digest insects and, in very rare cases, even incredibly small animals. They use these catches to obtain their nutrition.
Carnivorous plants often have more specific growing conditions that the average houseplant does not have. This makes making combinations in the same room or even terrarium incredibly challenging. In our blog, we take a closer look at which carnivorous plants can be kept together.
The world of the carnivorous plant is unique
Before we go much deeper into the different carnivorous plant species and which ones match or not, it is important to know the basics of carnivorous plants well. This is because we need to know what they need, although there are many specific conditions we know one thing for sure. Carnivorous plants almost all need a moist space, nutrient-poor soil and plenty of sunlight.
Carnivorous plants that can live together
Venus flycatchers and sundew
In general, Venus flycatchers (Dionaea muscipula) and several species of sundew (Drosera) share the same similar growing conditions. Namely, both need acidic and moist soil, as well as plenty of sunlight. When you place these plants together, you create a visually attractive and practical habitat. This in a terrarium or outside in the sun. In addition, both plants catch species of insects in their own way. This also provides additional diversity.
Sarracenia and Darlingtonia
Sarracenia, also known as North American pitcher plants, and Darlingtonia californica, also known as the cobra lily, can also be kept well together. Both plant species love full sun and can be placed in the same moist and acidic soil. Individually, these species are already incredibly impressive to see, but together they really do make for a visual spectacle. These plants also each have their own trapping mechanisms, again offering a diverse look.
Nepenthes
Nepenthes, or also called tropical pitcher plants, form their own unique category. These plants require higher temperatures which makes them less easy to combine with the species above, besides which they also need constant humidity. In this case, however, you can go for several Nepenthes species and place them together in a room. Should you want to go for a terrarium with Nepenthes, remember that they really thrive in a tropical climate. So really adapt your terrarium to this.
Tips for successful combinations
Light and temperature
Make sure that the plants you want to put together have the same or at least similar light and temperature requirements. If you don't take this into account, it can become quite a chore for one of the two carnivorous plants to survive.
Humidity and water
This is something carnivorous plants generally all need. Moisten your carnivorous plants only with rainwater, distilled water or reverse osmosis water, of course, to prevent minerals from tap water accumulating and damaging your plants. Should you not be able to offer constant humidity, a humidifier or a closed terrarium can help keep the humidity high.
Soil and nutrition
All carnivorous plants do perfectly well in our own soil mix. It is specially designed for the carnivorous plant, and is low in nutrients. Make sure you do not fertilise your carnivorous plant extra. This can do more harm than good. Carnivorous plants survive on the insects they catch. Should your space be completely insect-free? Then you can always choose to manually provide your carnivorous plant with an insect if necessary.
Pay close attention to your plants and maintenance
Keep a close eye on your carnivorous plants and watch carefully for signs of disease or other forms of discomfort. Carnivorous plants can be susceptible to fungi if your space is too humid without proper air circulation. Prune your plant once in a while, removing dead leaves and then also remove the remaining remains of captured prey if necessary.
Experiment
You will probably keep doing this anyway. This is because every carnivorous plant is unique and has its own manual. What I mean by this is that what works for one species may absolutely not work for another. Experiment with different combinations to see what really works for your own collection. You can even choose to keep a logbook so that you have all your steps documented, you will know exactly what you have done and where to go back if necessary.
Conclusion
We at Carnivory.eu love the look of carnivorous plants and love making combinations to create different kinds of looks. After all, it really does add a certain kind of beauty to your space. I would say go for a unique creation and for when you really like to create a vibrant space or garden look at the option of creating swamp planters.