October 2025: Top 5 Carnivorous Plants for Beginners

Even within the vast and complex world of plants, a specific family stands out as unique—carnivorous plants.

In nature, carnivorous plants have adapted to grow in waterlogged, boggy conditions with poor soil and limited nutrient availability. These resourceful plants evolved to derive nutrients from external sources instead—living prey.

A plant is considered carnivorous if it captures prey in some form of trap, consumes and digests that prey, and then uses the nutrients derived to grow and develop. Different families of carnivorous plants have developed different means of trapping prey, but they all belong to the same wider group of plants.

This group has become increasingly popular as houseplants, particularly in zones where they aren't hardy outdoors (like here in Saskatchewan). But as a result of these natural adaptations, the care for carnivorous plants is often different than many other houseplants. Most carnivorous houseplants require distilled or reverse osmosis water, as the minerals in standard tap water will build up and kill the plant. And much like their wild ancestors, these plants like to keep their feet wet by remaining in water most of the time. Furthermore, they require a soil-less mix of perlite and peat moss, and cannot be fertilized. Given their natural environments, most carnivorous houseplants prefer lots of bright light and high humidity.

Because they don't gain nutrients from their water or soil, carnivorous plants must rely on prey to survive. Most small plants will fare well enough with the occasional fruit fly or fungus gnat that crosses their path, but larger specimens may require additional supplementary prey if grown indoors.

This may all sound intimidating, but today on the blog we'll discuss some beginner-friendly variants within some of the major carnivorous families.

1. Drosera Capensis | Cape Sundew

The Cape Sundew is considered one of the easiest and most forgiving carnivorous plants to grow, and a great place to start. They have long, elongated leaves coated in tentacular glands which release sticky mucilage to attract and ensnare prey. With consistent distilled water and good levels of humidity, these plants will survive without an abundance of insects. The Cape Sundew grows tall stalks with delicate purple flowers.

2.Pinguiculas | Butterwort

Another common and relatively popular carnivorous plant, the butterwort has a rosette appearance similar to many succulents. Their leaves release sticky mucilage to draw in and capture prey, and some species bend their leaves to enclose insects. Although they prefer to remain moist, Butterwort can tolerate short dry periods. Different species of Butterwort are often cultivated and prized for their flowers, which can vary in colour based on the species.

3. Sarracenia Velvet | Trumpet Pitcher

One of two main categories of pitcher plants, Sarracenia take a more upright form. Sarracenia engage a combination of scent, colour, and texture to draw in prey and trap it inside funnel-like leaves, referred to as pitchers. The rim of the pitchers are slippery with nectar, and once an insect falls inside it will succumb to the plant's nectar. Like the others, these plants need plenty of sun and distilled water, and they also require a period of dormancy in winter.

4. Nepenthes Alata | Pitcher Plant

The other common form of pitcher plants, the pitcher-like structures on a nepenthes tend to hang from the side of the plant. Like sarracenia, they use their pitchers to draw in and trap insects for their nutrients. These plants need indirect sunlight and plenty of humidity; in dry conditions, it may help to add a small amount of water into the pitchers themselves. Although they will capture their own food, you may also supplement them with live or dried insects.

5. Dionaea Muscipula | Venus Flytrap

One of the most recognizable varieties of carnivorous plants, venus flytraps are known for their quick, snapping instinct of their jaw-like leaves. Within the traps themselves are small, sensitive hairs that act as a trigger. Venus flytraps have the same basic requirements as their carnivorous cousins; bright sun, high humidity, distilled water, and a soil-less mix. And like some others, they require a winter dormancy period of colder temperatures and reduced watering.

If you've often wondered about carnivorous plants, hopefully now you know enough to give it a shot at home. Come on down to Floral Acres, or browse our website, and add one of these interesting specimens to your collection.

Until next time!