Little Shop of Horrors
Who could forget Audrey, the plant with the big appetite in Little Shop Of Horrors. Cutesy she wasn't. But carnivorous plants can be a source of fascination and delight and once you've grown one we're sure you'll want to add to your collection.
Carnivorous plants are incredibly easy to define. Like other carnivores, they capture and kill prey. Whether it be a fly or a beetle, once trapped, the insects are digested by the plant for essential nutrients.
They hold a long history. These plants first appeared 70 million years ago after genes did what they do best in difficult times – mutate. Studies show that non-carnivorous plants, under pressure from a lack of nutrients, duplicated their DNA/genomes. These copies allowed them to diversify their purpose. Leaf and root DNA changed, allowing these plants to not only trap meaty prey but also absorb its nutrients.
As evolution dictated, their leaves and roots became redundant as they received their necessary nutrients from the prey. The original leaf and root genomes, therefore, began to disappear. Their environment also had an impact. Depending on where the plants were, they developed to fit the environment and attract the right kind of prey in their immediate area.
If their interesting history hasn’t convinced you to give them a go, perhaps their relatively easy-going nature will.
Water
The biggest rule when it comes to carnivorous plant care is to keep them watered. Because they’re native to bogs, swamps, and other water-dense areas, they need a lot of water to thrive.
You’ll want to keep their soil as moist as possible. The tray or saucer method is the easiest way to do this. Simply place your pot in a tray or saucer filled with water.
Depending on the type of carnivorous plant you decide to grow, you’ll need to keep an eye on the water levels. Most enjoy damp over wet soil. But some, those who love mushy soil like Pitcher Plant varieties, need soaking wet soil.
You can help the process along by opting for plastic pots. Plastic retains water better than terracotta or clay, even though it may not be as appealing.
The type of water you use is equally as important as how often you water. Carnivorous plants do best when watered with rainwater or distilled water, as tap water typically has too many minerals in it. You can find distilled water at your local grocery store, or easily collect rainwater in a bucket or barrel. Purified water will also do, as long as it’s been purified through reverse osmosis.
Soil
Carnivorous plants do best in low-quality soil with little to no nutrients. Different types require specific types of soil conditions. Generally, though, most enjoy peaty and sandy soil. A mix of peat-like products such as coconut coir and horticultural sand will easily do the trick. Sand used in play-boxes s also a great alternative. However, avoiding minerals in your sand and water is critical. Not just because they’re redundant, but because they can actually cause the plants’ roots to burn.
Fertiliser
On that note, fertilisers should be avoided at all costs. Your plant will get all its necessary nutrients from the prey it captures and digests.
Humidity
If you’ve been in bogs and swamps you’ll know that they can be pretty humid. To match that environment, keep humidity levels around your plant high. This also stops the plant from drying out. The go-to method for increasing humidity around indoor plants is to add a humidifier to the room. Constantly keeping your plants wet will also do.
Temperature
Temperature preferences depend on the variety you opt for. Most don’t mind average temperatures. Some though, do best in warmer or cooler climates. Carnivorous plants are tolerant of temperature variances though and typically won’t mind a bit of change in either direction.
Light
Light is as important as water when it comes to carnivorous plants. They need plenty of light to thrive. Lots of sunlight brings out the lush red of many carnivorous plants that make them attractive. Some varieties enjoy some partial shade. Others though require at least twelve hours of sunlight. Bear that in mind when picking your new addition to your indoor plant collection.
Pests and Diseases
Yes, carnivorous plants do eat several pesky bugs. But there are a few that manage to evade their clutches. Aphids (surprise, surprise) do love to nibble on the lower growing leaves of the plant. They’re generally easy to get rid of. Simply pick them off or blast them off using a water spray bottle. Aphids can overwinter within the plant though, which is the main concern.
Because you’ve got a swamp loving plant, you can easily submerge it in water for a few days, getting rid of those pesky aphids in one swoop.
High levels of humidity are important for the health of your carnivorous plants. But, with humidity comes higher chances of mould. Botrytis is a type of mould that these plants are quite susceptible to.
Increasing airflow is a must if you want to prevent this stuff from growing and taking hold. Pop your window open and ensure there is plenty of space around the plant. Healthy pruning habits are also a must. Remove dead foliage frequently and if the mold has started growing, remove the affected part immediately.
Other insects to keep an eye out for are scale insects. These tiny blister-like bugs tend to appear when mould is present. Get rid of them by wiping them with a cloth soaked in alcohol.
They hold a long history. These plants first appeared 70 million years ago after genes did what they do best in difficult times – mutate. Studies show that non-carnivorous plants, under pressure from a lack of nutrients, duplicated their DNA/genomes. These copies allowed them to diversify their purpose. Leaf and root DNA changed, allowing these plants to not only trap meaty prey but also absorb its nutrients.
As evolution dictated, their leaves and roots became redundant as they received their necessary nutrients from the prey. The original leaf and root genomes, therefore, began to disappear. Their environment also had an impact. Depending on where the plants were, they developed to fit the environment and attract the right kind of prey in their immediate area.
If their interesting history hasn’t convinced you to give them a go, perhaps their relatively easy-going nature will.
Water
The biggest rule when it comes to carnivorous plant care is to keep them watered. Because they’re native to bogs, swamps, and other water-dense areas, they need a lot of water to thrive.
You’ll want to keep their soil as moist as possible. The tray or saucer method is the easiest way to do this. Simply place your pot in a tray or saucer filled with water.
Depending on the type of carnivorous plant you decide to grow, you’ll need to keep an eye on the water levels. Most enjoy damp over wet soil. But some, those who love mushy soil like Pitcher Plant varieties, need soaking wet soil.
You can help the process along by opting for plastic pots. Plastic retains water better than terracotta or clay, even though it may not be as appealing.
The type of water you use is equally as important as how often you water. Carnivorous plants do best when watered with rainwater or distilled water, as tap water typically has too many minerals in it. You can find distilled water at your local grocery store, or easily collect rainwater in a bucket or barrel. Purified water will also do, as long as it’s been purified through reverse osmosis.
Soil
Carnivorous plants do best in low-quality soil with little to no nutrients. Different types require specific types of soil conditions. Generally, though, most enjoy peaty and sandy soil. A mix of peat-like products such as coconut coir and horticultural sand will easily do the trick. Sand used in play-boxes s also a great alternative. However, avoiding minerals in your sand and water is critical. Not just because they’re redundant, but because they can actually cause the plants’ roots to burn.
Fertiliser
On that note, fertilisers should be avoided at all costs. Your plant will get all its necessary nutrients from the prey it captures and digests.
Humidity
If you’ve been in bogs and swamps you’ll know that they can be pretty humid. To match that environment, keep humidity levels around your plant high. This also stops the plant from drying out. The go-to method for increasing humidity around indoor plants is to add a humidifier to the room. Constantly keeping your plants wet will also do.
Temperature
Temperature preferences depend on the variety you opt for. Most don’t mind average temperatures. Some though, do best in warmer or cooler climates. Carnivorous plants are tolerant of temperature variances though and typically won’t mind a bit of change in either direction.
Light
Light is as important as water when it comes to carnivorous plants. They need plenty of light to thrive. Lots of sunlight brings out the lush red of many carnivorous plants that make them attractive. Some varieties enjoy some partial shade. Others though require at least twelve hours of sunlight. Bear that in mind when picking your new addition to your indoor plant collection.
Pests and Diseases
Yes, carnivorous plants do eat several pesky bugs. But there are a few that manage to evade their clutches. Aphids (surprise, surprise) do love to nibble on the lower growing leaves of the plant. They’re generally easy to get rid of. Simply pick them off or blast them off using a water spray bottle. Aphids can overwinter within the plant though, which is the main concern.
Because you’ve got a swamp loving plant, you can easily submerge it in water for a few days, getting rid of those pesky aphids in one swoop.
High levels of humidity are important for the health of your carnivorous plants. But, with humidity comes higher chances of mould. Botrytis is a type of mould that these plants are quite susceptible to.
Increasing airflow is a must if you want to prevent this stuff from growing and taking hold. Pop your window open and ensure there is plenty of space around the plant. Healthy pruning habits are also a must. Remove dead foliage frequently and if the mold has started growing, remove the affected part immediately.
Other insects to keep an eye out for are scale insects. These tiny blister-like bugs tend to appear when mould is present. Get rid of them by wiping them with a cloth soaked in alcohol.
