Many people ask us the same question – what is the best way to grow carnivorous plants? Most people are interested in carnivorous plants because of their vibrant, healthy colors that grow better in a low light environment. We have all seen beautiful carnivorous plants at farmer’s markets and gardening center during spring, when the flowers are in bloom. These plants also love the shaded, darker areas of your home during the cooler evening hours. And now with our new friend the aquarium, carnivorous plants are very easy to grow in most locations. In this article we will talk about some considerations for carnivorous plant care.
So how do you set up your carnivorous plant terrarium? Well, first things first. A large basin or open top container is perfect for the plants, so a bowl style terrarium would be ideal. This allows sufficient air circulation for your plants as needed for optimal plant health. For a tropical or semi-tropical terrace with pitcher plants, sundews, or nepenthes, a traditional ornamental terrarium with small gaps can be used, because they aren’t required to be exposed to full sunlight.
Now, the next consideration for growing carnivores in your container aquascape is the size of your aquarium. Remember, carnivores do not like direct light, so larger terracotta pots work great, especially with rocks, pieces of wood, etc. It also helps if the rocks are a few inches deep. A square foot of fish tank sand is fine but don’t go too deep down, just to ensure that there’s enough “headroom” for your carnivores to move around comfortably.
In most cases, carnivores will grow much better in standard rectangular aquariums. For a starting point, a 20 gallon long rectangular tank with half an inch deep sand and half inch of water is perfect. You should provide access to at least two main water sources for keeping the water clean. These should be treated as primary sources with filtered water. In many cases, these Terra cotta pots can be bought new and then simply filled with more soil and plants when the plant growth has finished.
After you have planted your carnivores into their new habitat, make sure they receive the appropriate nutrition. For carnivores, this nutrient source is a soil mixture, not a plant food. carnivores are primarily carnivorous plants, so they will do well on nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorous. Additional plant food is generally not necessary and may be toxic to them. If you feel you may need it, add some fish food occasionally.
As for other plants, a good soil mix will help with light and air circulation within the plant. Both of these are important to good health. Also, moss can hide toxic waste by growing in clumps, so it can be a good idea to periodically remove the mossy clumps. Some varieties of moss are toxic, so it’s a good idea to either never keep them on your plants, or carefully remove them from the plants before adding them to the soil mix.
In any case, once you have set up your carnivorous plants in their new environment, providing clean water and proper temperature, you’re all set. The only remaining item is providing them with plenty of light and water to remain happy and healthy. That’s where fly traps come into play.
Good, healthy plant growth is one of the key elements in maintaining a healthy ecosystem. So, taking this basic terrarium step is an essential first step in the care of carnivorous plants. Then, adding a few more plants or introducing another type of carnivorous plant or two will only enhance the overall health of your tank and community.