10 Carnivorous Plants to Grow Indoors

Flies stuck to a carnivorous plant — Carnivorous plants are a curiosity, but a highly functional curiosity.

Carnivorous plants are some of the most curious houseplants you can keep. With unique shapes and colorful forms, carnivorous plants come in lots of different sizes, including tiny sundews that are perfect for terrariums and large American pitcher plants that are ideal for outdoor displays. But be warned: if you buy one carnivorous plant, there’s a good chance you’re going to want to collect them all since they are just so fun to observe!

1. Venus Flytrap (Dionaea spp.)

Venus flytrap plant — Venus flytrap is perhaps the best well-known carnivorous plant, and also one of the most available.

Plant name:	Venus flytrap
Light requirements:	Bright light
Water requirements:	High
Humidity requirements:	50 to 80%
Toxic to pets?	No

Dubbed “the most wonderful plant in the world” by Charles Darwin, the Venus flytrap is probably the most famous carnivorous plant around, and it’s definitely the easiest to find. Venus flytrap plants are often sold at local garden centers, although careful breeding by plant nurseries has resulted in unique cultivars with different colored leaves and trap sizes.

Some Venus flytrap cultivars like ‘Green Machine’ have bright green traps, while varieties like ‘Jabberwocky’ and ‘Clayton’s Volcanic Red’ have deep burgundy coloration. You can also find multicolored Venus flytrap plants with red and green tones in varieties like ‘Sunrise’ and ‘Scarlatine.’

No matter the Venus flytrap type you choose, these plants are relatively easy to grow as long as you keep the needs of carnivorous plants in mind. In nature, Venus flytraps are native to boggy areas in the coastal Carolinas, where the soil is acidic, and the sunlight is intense. In houseplant collections, flytraps will need lots of bright sun and continuous moisture, but they shouldn’t be kept in overly soggy earth.

Because they can be sensitive to chemicals, Venus flytraps should be watered with distilled or rainwater, and they typically should not be fertilized. These plants also need a period of dormancy in winter to rest, and many growers move their plants into a protected outbuilding during the winter. If you go this route, just be sure your Venus flytraps don’t freeze and maintain their temperature between 35°F to 50°F until the spring equinox.

2. American Pitcher Plant (Sarracenia spp.)

Funnel-shaped American pitcher plants — American pitcher plants are easier to keep than many other carnivorous plants.

Plant name:	American pitcher plant
Light requirements:	Bright light
Water requirements:	High
Humidity requirements:	50% and up
Toxic to pets?	No

There’s a fair amount of confusion about pitcher plants because a few different plants are called “pitcher plants,” even though they aren’t closely related. One such plant species is the American pitcher plant or trumpet pitcher, which naturally grows throughout Canada and parts of the eastern United States. An underrated carnivorous plant, American pitcher plants tend to be easier to keep than some of the other plants on this list, and they will dazzle you with their bright coloration and strong silhouettes.

There are between 8 to 11 different types of American pitcher plants, depending on who’s categorizing them. There are also lots of stately hybrids that have been carefully bred for their bright colors. If you’re new to keeping American pitcher plants, varieties like Sarracenia purpurea and Sarracenia rosea will “wow” you with their flashy traps!

Like other carnivorous plants, American pitcher plants attract prey insects using a combination of alluring scents and bright colors. These plants are adept at luring flies and lots of other insects into their traps, and they can make short work of indoor pests. However, in the absence of insects, you may want to feed your Sarracenia every few weeks with dried bugs, which can be purchased at pet stores.

Small American pitcher plant species can be kept indoors on a sunny windowsill, but larger plants are more suitable for outdoors or in greenhouses. Many growers keep American pitcher plants outside during the summer and then move them into a protected spot in winter while the plant is in a state of dormancy.

Like many other carnivorous plants, American pitcher plants prefer consistently moist soil, so consider placing your plant’s pot in a saucer or tray with about 1” of distilled or rainwater. During winter dormancy, these plants will need less water, and they shouldn’t be exposed to chemicals or standard fertilizers, which can damage the plant’s tissue.

3. Sundew(Drosera spp.)

Sun-shaped Sundew carnivorous plant — Sundew plants have the most variety, with nearly 200 different species.

Plant name:	Sundew
Light requirements:	Bright light
Water requirements:	High
Humidity requirements:	50% and up
Toxic to pets?	No

Sundews are one of the most varied types of carnivorous plants, and there are about 194 known species of sundew in existence. These plants can grow in a wide range of conditions, and sundews can be found all over the world and on most of the continents. Most of the sundew species available for purchase are quite small, but these plants range in size, and some sundew varieties can grow up to 3’ tall!

Sundews come in lots of different shapes, and some have round, oval or strap-shaped leaves. But one thing most sundews have in common is that their leaves are coated in tiny “tentacles” that secrete a sticky liquid that traps insects. Once insects are ensnared in a sundew’s trap, the plant’s leaves curl back on the insect, capturing and digesting it over the course of several days.

While some sundews can grow large, most of the more common sundews are small enough to keep in terrariums, which can be a great way to regulate humidity levels around your plants. These plants can also be grown outdoors, but they aren’t as cold-hardy as some other carnivorous species. Some sundew species can grow in Zones 6 and up, but many sundews are only hardy to grow in Zone 9, so make sure you research your plant before growing sundew outdoors.

4. Tropical Pitcher Plant (Nepenthes spp.)

Hanging "pitchers" on a Tropical pitcher plant — People often grow Tropical pitcher plants in hanging baskets to highlight their small hanging pitchers.

Plant name:	Tropical pitcher plant
Light requirements:	Bright, indirect light
Water requirements:	High
Humidity requirements:	60% and up
Toxic to pets?	No

The hauntingly beautiful tropical pitcher plant is mostly native to Asia, and areas of Australia, and there are about 170 species in this diverse family of plants. Despite its name, tropical pitcher plants aren’t closely related to American pitcher plants, and they have slightly different care requirements as a result. In the gardening world, collectors can feel quite polarized about what type of pitcher plant is best, but we think they both have their charms!

Tropical pitcher plants naturally grow in shadier locations than American pitcher plants, so they should be sheltered from direct sun. These plants also aren’t quite as cold-hardy, and they have similar needs to orchids. In fact, many tropical pitcher plants are kept in hanging baskets, which allow their cup-shaped traps to show to their fullest.

Like other carnivorous plants, tropical pitcher plants love moist substrates and higher-than-average humidity levels, but they’re easier to feed than plants like Venus flytraps. These plants are also sometimes called monkey cups or monkey pitchers, and some of the larger tropical pitcher plants have even been known to eat rodents in the wild! If you like the look of tropical pitcher plants, Nepenthes rajah has particularly colorful cups with bright crimson coloration.

5. Butterwort (Pinguicula spp.)

Butterwort, a carnivorous plant — Butterwort is one of the less monstrous-looking carnivorous plants.

Plant name:	Butterwort
Light requirements:	Bright, indirect light
Water requirements:	High
Humidity requirements:	70% and up
Toxic to pets?	No

Butterwort’s Latin name ‘Pinguicula’ translates into “little greasy one,” which is a reference to this carnivorous plant’s sticky leaves that are adept at capturing small insects like gnats and fruit flies. These plants are native to North and South America, although the majority of Butterworts hail from Mexico. In plant circuits, you may also hear these plants referred to as “Pings,” which is an adorable name for an adorable little plant.

Butterworts can grow between 6 and 12” in diameter, and most often, you’ll see them in a bright, chartreuse green, although they also come in various shades of pink or purple. Unlike some other carnivorous plants, butterworts also reliably flower in captivity, and they produce small and colorful blooms that look a bit like wild violets. In the wild, butterwort flowers are commonly pollinated by hummingbirds, but they’re mostly for looks when these plants are grown indoors.

A solid choice for terrarium setups, butterworts love humidity, and they don’t need as much bright light as some other carnivorous plants. Before worrying about feeding insect prey to butterworts, make sure you attend to the plant’s other needs first, as an unhealthy butterwort cannot effectively digest insects and will often mold instead. Healthy butterworts can be fed a small insect or two a week, but don’t overdo it!

6. Bladderwort (Utricularia spp.)

Aquatic butterwort, a carnivorous plant — Bladderworts are largely aquatic plants that target insects that frequent or live in water.

Plant name:	Bladderwort
Light requirements:	Bright to bright, indirect light
Water requirements:	Aquatic
Humidity requirements:	Aquatic
Toxic to pets?	No data

Bladderworts are the largest and most diverse group of carnivorous plants, and some varieties are fully aquatic, while others are terrestrial. Aquatic bladderworts tend to be the easiest to locate online, and they’re often kept in small ponds or large aquariums indoors. In the wild, these plants love boggy conditions and grow in tannin-rich water along pond margins.

As a carnivorous plant, bladderwort does feed on insects, but only the smallest kinds. Aquatic bladderworts most commonly target daphnia, but they also capture mosquito larvae and protozoa. These plants can also be outcompeted by algae, but you can prevent algae from being a problem by keeping bladderworts in slightly acidic tanks with a peat-based substrate.

One thing to keep in mind if you want to grow bladderwort is that these plants can become highly invasive if they escape into waterways. For this reason, always handle these plants with care and dispose of all plant material properly to prevent spread.

7. Australian Pitcher Plant (Cephalotus follicularis)

Australian pitcher plant, a carnivorous plant — Much like us, these plants will need a little break to regroup and recoup each year.

Plant name:	Australian pitcher plant
Light requirements:	Bright to bright, indirect light
Water requirements:	High
Humidity requirements:	60 to 80%
Toxic to pets?	No data

One of the most highly coveted carnivorous plants around, Australian pitcher plants bear a strong resemblance to tropical pitcher plants, but they aren’t closely related. These plants have colorful and bristly traps that always look a bit hungry, and they are excellent at capturing an assortment of insects, including fruit flies and ants. On close inspection, you’ll find that the traps of Australian pitcher plants are lined with tiny ridges that look like miniature teeth!

Wild Australian pitcher plants only come from a small region in Australia, and they can be difficult to find in the houseplant world. But if you can track down own of these beauties, they’re likely to be the star of your collection because they are just so striking.

Australian pitcher plants can be grown outdoors in mild climates, or they can be kept inside in a sunny window or under a grow light. These plants aren’t particularly heat tolerant, so always shield them from intense heat and make sure they get a winter rest period once a year to prevent plant exhaustion and stress.

8. Cobra Plant (Darlingtonia spp.)

Snake-like cobra plants look like rising cobras — It's not hard to see where the cobra plant gets its name.

Plant name:	Cobra plant
Light requirements:	Bright to bright, indirect light
Water requirements:	High
Humidity requirements:	50% and up
Toxic to pets?	No

A close relative of American pitcher plants, cobra plants have a peculiar elegance with tall, curled heads that look a bit like the arched form of a cobra preparing to strike. Beyond their unique silhouette, these plants are ornamented with deep red veining, and they have red tongues, too, for even more color!

Because cobra plants are only found in limited areas of California and Oregon, it’s important to purchase your plants from reliable suppliers so that wild plants don’t succumb to overharvesting. While all carnivorous plants are a bit tricky to grow, cobra plants may be less beginner-friendly than most because they like to grow in bright sun, but they also hate warm roots. During the heat of summer, many growers recommend running cold water over cobra plant roots to keep them from getting too warm.

9. Bromeliads (Brocchinia hechtioides, Brocchinia reducta and Catopsis berteroniana)

Yellow centered carnivorous bromeliad plant — Bromeliads are popular houseplants--and some of them are insect eaters, too!

Plant name:	Bromeliads
Light requirements:	Bright to bright, indirect light
Water requirements:	High
Humidity requirements:	40% and up
Toxic to pets?	No

When most people think of bromeliads, they think of showy tropical plants with oversized flowers in a rainbow of hues. But what they don’t think of are plants that are insect-eating machines. Well, we have a surprise for you: some bromeliads are carnivores!

It’s true that most bromeliads are not carnivorous, but there are three exceptions: B. hechtioides, B. reducta and C. berteroniana. These bromeliads are rarely sold at plant nurseries, so you’ll probably need to look online for them, but they’re worth hunting for if you collect carnivorous plants.

Carnivorous bromeliads use a combination of flower color, scent, and UV patterning to lure in unsuspecting insects. But once those insects fall into the bromeliads’ water-filled reservoir, they’ll find it impossible to escape, and the plant gobbles them up. While this is certainly fascinating, carnivorous bromeliads are pretty, too, and they have a similar look and feel to non-carnivorous bromeliad species.

10. Waterwheel Plant (Aldrovanda vesiculosa)

A delicate looking waterwheel carnivorous plant — Waterwheels art aquatic plants. They can grow in aquariums, but they need room--at least a 30-gallon tank.

Plant name:	Waterwheel plant
Light requirements:	Bright light
Water requirements:	Aquatic
Humidity requirements:	Aquatic
Toxic to pets?	No data

Bladderwort is the most well-known aquatic carnivorous plant, but if you’re interested in keeping a carnivorous plant in your aquarium, you can also try out the waterwheel plant. Like bladderwort, the waterwheel plant prefers acidic and tannin-rich water, and many growers keep bladderwort in tanks with peat substrates. These plants do need lots of room to grow, and they should be kept in at least a 30-gallon tank or mini pond.

As its name implies, the waterwheel plant has a unique look, with leaves arrayed around the central stem like the spokes on a bicycle wheel. Among the leaves, you’ll also find tiny traps that snap shut when their hairs are triggered, much like the Venus flytrap. In the wild, waterwheel plants feed on daphnia, mosquito larvae, and tiny bugs, but they can also feed on fish fry, which is why you’ll want to keep them out of breeding tanks or aquariums with small aquatic species.

Like bladderwort, waterwheel plants can also become invasive outdoors, and you should never allow them to escape into the environment.

Why are some plants carnivorous?

Sticky dew-like substance on a carnivorous plant — Carnivorous plants evolved to access nutrients in areas where soils were lacking.

Carnivorous plants have been around for a while… a long while! In fact, fossil evidence suggests that carnivorous plants were growing when the dinosaurs still prowled the earth. But why do carnivorous plants need to eat insects?

Most plants rely on photosynthesis and the nutrients in the soil to grow. However, the majority of carnivorous plants are naturally found in areas with acidic soil that’s lacking in nutrients. To adapt, these curious plants evolved the unique ability to extract the nutrients they need from the insects that land on them.

Essentially, carnivorous plants use insects as a type of organic fertilizer. While they still photosynthesize, insects provide proteins and trace nutrients, like iron, to support the plant’s growth. That’s why carnivorous plants need insects as well as lots of light to grow properly!

6 Easy Care Tips for Carnivorous Plants

A collection of carnivorous plants on a shelf — Carnivorous plants tend to have more specific growing requirements than most houseplants.

Carnivorous plants have their own unique likes and dislikes, which can make them a bit more challenging to keep than the standard tropical houseplant. But the good news is that if you can master the art of keeping one carnivorous plant species, you can easily expand your collection to include other carnivorous plant types.

Before purchasing carnivorous plants, it’s a good idea to research the particular type of plant you’d like to grow. However, the following tips can help you grow most carnivorous plants successfully.

1. Provide your plants with plenty of light.

Although carnivorous plants rely on insects for nutrients, they still need plenty of light for photosynthesis. Some carnivorous plants prefer full sun, while others need bright, indirect light. But no matter the type of light they need, all carnivorous plants need plenty of it!

2. Supplement food (if needed).

If you keep carnivorous plants outdoors, they’ll usually be able to capture all of the insect prey they need. However, if you keep carnivorous plants inside (especially in terrariums), you may need to supplement their diet with insects that are either captured in your garden or purchased at pet stores. For smaller carnivorous plants, like Venus flytraps, choose smaller insects that won’t overwhelm your plants or cause plant traps to not close fully.

3. Hold off on the fertilizer.

Because they naturally grow in nutrient-poor environments, carnivorous plants can be susceptible to fertilizers. If you’re new to keeping these plants, you may not want to fertilize them at all since it’s so easy to overfertilize them or cause other issues. If you do opt to fertilize carnivorous plants, make sure you select a fertilizer that suits the specific needs of carnivorous plants and dilute it thoroughly.

4. Water often.

Most carnivorous plants love lots of moisture, and they should be kept in consistently moist, but not soggy, soil. Some plants benefit from being grown on trays or saucers filled with about 1” of water. These setups prevent your plant’s soil from ever drying out, and they increase the humidity around your plants too.

5. Boost humidity.

Carnivorous plants naturally grow in boggy environments where the humidity is high. If you keep these plants indoors, you will need to add extra humidity to their environment with a terrarium, humidifier, or pebble tray. Misting plants is often not sufficient as it doesn’t provide consistent humidity levels.

6. Avoid tap water.

Just as carnivorous plants are sensitive to chemical fertilizers, they can also react badly to the chemicals and salts in your tap water. Whenever possible, always use distilled or rainwater when watering carnivorous plants.

Summary

A healthy Venus flytrap plant — Carnivorous plants may require some extra care and attention, but these fun and curious plants are worth the extra effort.

Houseplants have their charm, but if you love unusual things or you want to control indoor pests naturally, you may want to get a carnivorous plant or two. These bewitching plants aren’t just fascinating, but they come in stunning colors and curious shapes, and many can be grown outdoors or indoors. They also make top-of-the-line science projects for young children, although adults often love them even more than kids do!

If you enjoyed this romp into the world of carnivorous plants and want to add a bug-eating plant to your collection, be sure to invest in a humidifier or pebble tray first. These plants adore lots of humidity almost as much as they like eating creepy crawlies!