I think we can agree that carnivorous plants add a unique and exotic flair to any plant collection. They owe this to their unique traps, eating habits and special appearance.
Over years, the carnivorous plant has adapted to survive on nutrient-poor soils by catching and digesting insects and in some, really exceptional cases very small mammals. A carnivorous plant requires a specific kind of care to keep growing and surviving. We would therefore like to give you seven sustainable care tips. With these tips, you can keep your carnivorous plants healthy and happy. Would you like to go even deeper into care? Then read our page on carnivorous plant care.
Use only rain or distilled water
Carnivorous plants attach great importance to water quality. They are sensitive to certain minerals and chemicals normally found in tap water. So it is important that when you water your carnivorous plant, you only use rainwater, demineralised water or reverse osmosis water. This prevents damage to the roots of your carnivorous plant. In addition, you ensure that your carnivorous plant can grow in the most optimal conditions, as you also create a more natural environment for your carnivorous plants.
The right soil is key
As we mentioned earlier, a carnivorous plant thrives in a nutrient-poor environment. This includes not only water but also, for example, the potting soil. It is important that when you repot your carnivorous plant that you avoid standard potting soil altogether. This is because it is rich in nutrients and fertilisers. This can have a very negative effect on the roots of your carnivorous plant. It is therefore extremely important to choose a mixture that is suitable for carnivorous plants. Take a look at our carnivorous plant soil. It is specifically composed so that your plant can flourish in a favourable environment.
Ensure adequate light
Of course, a carnivorous plant also needs an awful lot of light. Indeed, a carnivorous plant thrives best when there is plenty of light. It is essential for their photosynthesis and for catching prey. So make sure your carnivorous plants are in a place with access to plenty of bright and preferably indirect sunlight. There are carnivorous plant species that cannot tolerate a lot of direct sunlight. In these species, the leaves burn and discolour quickly. If you do not have access to much light, consider using LED grow lights. It promotes the growth of your carnivorous plants and limits your energy consumption.
Ensure adequate humidity
Carnivorous plants come from humid and swampy areas and therefore need high humidity. Consider a humidifier if you cannot provide your carnivorous plants with moisture naturally. By doing so, you will mimic their habitat and promote healthy growth. You can also increase humidity by placing your carnivorous plants in a terrarium.
Avoid fertilisation
As we mentioned earlier, a carnivorous plant does not need fertiliser as they live on nutrient-poor soil. Fertilising can do your carnivorous plant more harm than good. However, should your little plant need a boost due to circumstances, make sure you use a very dilute and specific fertiliser specially designed for carnivorous plants and only use it during the growing season.
Be very careful when manually feeding your carnivorous plant
We all know the temptation to feed a just-caught fly to your carnivorous plant. However, it is wiser to let your carnivorous plant catch its own food. If you start feeding your carnivorous plant in addition to what it catches, the plant may develop a disease or rot. If you have few insects indoors, you could choose to help your carnivorous plant a little and provide it with prey. Be very careful not to damage the traps.
Repot your plant with care
Make sure you repot your carnivorous plant every few years. In doing so, you make sure you have fresh soil and also enough room to grow. Of course, it is extremely important that you do this with care, because the carnivorous plant has delicate roots and you don't want to damage them. By the way, it is important to always use low-nutrient potting soil again.
Conclusion
We at Carnivory.eu understand that it is extremely important that your carnivorous plant receives the right care and nutrition. We therefore hope that our tips have helped you provide your plant with the most optimal care. In addition, we naturally want to help you do this as sustainably as possible.