Light: Place outdoors in full sun — at least 6–8 hours of direct sunlight daily. Some species, such as Drosera binata, can tolerate less sun.
Dormancy: Plants go dormant in winter. They may lose many leaves and stop producing new traps, but will regrow in spring.
Feeding: Outdoors, they usually catch enough insects on their own. Manual feeding isn’t necessary, but you can feed live bugs to the leaves occasionally.
Soil: Use a 50/50 mix of fertiliser-free peat moss and perlite. Repot every 1–2 years, preferably during dormancy.
Butterworts (Pinguicula)
Water: Always use reverse osmosis, rain, or distilled water. Keep the soil moist during active growth, but reduce watering in winter if the plant forms succulent leaves.
Temperature: 15-30°C
Light: Provide bright, indirect light. Indoors, use a sunny windowsill or grow light.
Dormancy: Many Mexican species go dormant in winter, forming non-carnivorous succulent leaves. During this time, reduce watering and keep the soil just barely moist.
Feeding: Butterworts catch small insects on their sticky leaves and usually feed themselves. Manual feeding is optional.
Soil: Use a loose, airy mix like 2 parts perlite to 1 part peat moss, or a mix suited to the species. Repot once a year to refresh the soil.
Tropical Pitchers (Nepenthes)
Water: Top-water every 2–3 days (depending on season) to keep the soil evenly damp, but never waterlogged. Use reverse osmosis, rain, or distilled water only. Avoid letting plants stand in water, as this can cause root rot.
Light: Place in a bright spot with at least 2+ hours of direct sun and plenty of bright, indirect or filtered light for the rest of the day. A sunny windowsill or greenhouse is ideal.
Dormancy: Tropical Nepenthes do not require dormancy and grow year-round.
Feeding: Outdoors, they usually catch their own prey. Indoors, feeding isn’t necessary, but you may offer live insects to the pitchers occasionally.
Soil: Use a very airy, free-draining mix such as long-fiber sphagnum moss with perlite, or a blend of peat, perlite, and orchid bark. Avoid standard potting soil or fertiliser. Repot every few years as needed.
Humidity: Nepenthes will appreciate higher humidity (60%+) but can be acclimated to normal household humidity.
Trumpet Pitchers (Sarracenia)
Water: Keep the pot standing in a tray of reverse osmosis, rain, or distilled water at all times. Soil should remain evenly moist, never dry.
Light: Place outdoors in full sun — at least 6–8 hours of direct sunlight daily.
Dormancy: Plants go dormant in winter. They may lose many leaves and stop producing new pitchers, but will regrow strongly in spring.
Feeding: Outdoors, they usually catch plenty of insects on their own. Manual feeding isn’t necessary, but you can occasionally place live bugs into the pitchers.
Soil: Use a 50/50 mix of fertiliser-free peat moss and perlite. Repot every 1–2 years, preferably during dormancy.
Sun Pitchers (Heliamphora)
Water: Use only reverse osmosis, rain, or distilled water. Keep the soil consistently moist with excellent drainage, and avoid letting the pot sit in standing water.
Temperature: 15-30°C
Light: Bright, indirect light is ideal. Outdoors, provide filtered light; indoors, use strong grow lights.
Dormancy: Heliamphora don’t require true dormancy but benefit from slightly cooler winter temperatures.
Feeding: They usually catch insects on their own, but occasional manual feeding with small bugs inside the pitchers is optional.
Soil: Use a very airy mix like 40% sphagnum peat moss with 60% perlite or pumice. Repot every 1–2 years to maintain healthy growth.
Humidity: Heliamphora will appreciate higher humidity (60%+) but can be acclimated to normal household humidity.
Albany Pitcher (Cephalotus Follicularis)
Water: Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged, using only reverse osmosis, rain, or distilled water. A shallow tray is fine, but allow it to dry slightly between waterings to prevent rot. Top watering daily in spring and summer and every 3-4 days during winter can also work.
Temperature: 15-30°C
Light: Provide bright, indirect light or gentle morning sun. Indoors, a sunny windowsill or strong grow light works well.
Dormancy: Cephalotus may go semi-dormant in winter, with slowed growth and some pitcher dieback, but generally stays evergreen.
Feeding: These plants often catch their own prey, but you can occasionally feed them small live or dried insects placed into the pitchers.
Soil: Use a well-draining mix such as 50% peat moss and 50% perlite or silica sand. Repot every 2–3 years during active growth.
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