Carnivorous Plant Encyclopedia
Encyclopedia of popular carnivorous plants with care guides, trapping mechanisms, and cultivation tips.
Featured Carnivorous Plant
Showing 9 of 140 species
© Mokkie / CC BY-SA 3.0Nepenthes × ventrata
Nepenthes × ventrata
The pitcher plant most often seen at garden centres and home stores: a cross between the Philippine species N. ventricosa and N. alata (in the broad sense), bearing green pitchers flushed with red. Easy indoors, it is often sold under the name N. alata.
© Attenboroughii at English Wikipedia / CC BY 3.0Nepenthes Alata
Nepenthes alata
One of the easiest Nepenthes, growable indoors by beginners, producing many green pitchers.
© Olaf / CC BY-SA 4.0Nepenthes Bloody Mary
Nepenthes 'Bloody Mary'
A hybrid of N. ventricosa and N. ampullaria with pitchers and leaves stained deep blood red. Tough and treated as a beginner's houseplant, it is often said to be the same clone as 'Lady Luck'.
© 数理考高分 / CC BY-SA 4.0Nepenthes Gaya
Nepenthes 'Gaya'
A hybrid pitcher plant recorded as N. khasiana × (N. ventricosa × N. maxima); the same cross is sold abroad as 'St. Gaya'. It is sold everywhere from mass-market hanging baskets to aquarium plant stores.
© Mickaël Schauli / CC BY-SA 4.0Nepenthes Gracilis
Nepenthes gracilis
A slender Nepenthes with a unique lid mechanism that flicks insects in with raindrop impact.
Nepenthes Lady Luck
Nepenthes 'Lady Luck'
A pitcher plant selected from a cross of N. ampullaria and N. ventricosa, bearing pitchers coloured deep blood red all over. Short internodes and many basal shoots make a dense, bushy plant. It is often said to be the same clone as 'Bloody Mary'.
© apes_abroad / CC BY-SA 2.0Nepenthes Mirabilis
Nepenthes mirabilis
The most widespread Nepenthes, from SE Asia to Australia, hardy and great for beginners.
© vijayakumarblathur / CC BY-SA 4.0Nepenthes Miranda
Nepenthes 'Miranda'
A hybrid pitcher plant with large pale-green pitchers speckled red-brown and a near-vertical mouth ringed by a dark red-brown peristome. Pitchers reach about 25-30 cm, and it is a staple at both mass-market and specialist sellers.
© David Tan / CC BY-SA 3.0Nepenthes Sanguinea
Nepenthes sanguinea
A hardy Nepenthes from Malay Peninsula with many red-green color forms, easy for beginners.
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Carnivorous Plant FAQ
- How much do carnivorous plants cost?
- Venus Flytraps cost 500-2,000 yen, Nepenthes 1,000-10,000 yen, and rare highland Nepenthes can exceed tens of thousands of yen depending on species and size.
- Can beginners grow carnivorous plants?
- Venus Flytraps, Sundews, and Sarracenia are relatively easy and beginner-friendly. Keep them in a tray of water for humidity and place in a sunny spot.
- How long do carnivorous plants live?
- Venus Flytraps can live 10+ years with proper care, and Sarracenia are similarly long-lived. Nepenthes can grow for decades in the right conditions, getting progressively larger.
- What should I check when buying carnivorous plants?
- Check that leaves and traps are healthy with no root rot. For Nepenthes, choose specimens with pitchers. Avoid sudden environment changes after purchase and acclimate gradually.
- Do I need to feed insects to carnivorous plants?
- They grow fine through photosynthesis alone without feeding. Insects are supplemental nutrition and don't need to be force-fed. Outdoor plants catch bugs naturally, which is fun to observe.