Carnivorous Plant Encyclopedia
Encyclopedia of popular carnivorous plants with care guides, trapping mechanisms, and cultivation tips.
Featured Carnivorous Plant
Showing 6 of 140 species
© fischermans / CC BY-SA 3.0Pinguicula 'Aphrodite'
Pinguicula 'Aphrodite'
A Czech-raised butterwort from P. agnata × P. moctezumae. It has long, narrow, arching leaves and flowers up to 4 cm across that open dark violet and fade to pink as they age.
© User:Ch.Andrew / CC BY 3.0Pinguicula 'Sethos'
Pinguicula 'Sethos'
A classic hybrid of the Mexican butterworts P. moranensis and P. ehlersiae. It flowers freely, and its large orchid-purple flowers have a white, many-rayed star at the throat.
© Tangopaso / Public domainPinguicula 'Weser'
Pinguicula 'Weser'
A butterwort cultivar selected from the same P. moranensis × P. ehlersiae cross as 'Sethos'. The flowers resemble 'Sethos' but have a single white streak down the central lower lobe and dark veins.
© Nephiliskos at de.wikipedia / CC BY-SA 3.0Pinguicula cyclosecta
Pinguicula cyclosecta
A small butterwort from limestone country in north-eastern Mexico. The blue-violet edges of its fleshy leaves are unmistakable, and in strong light the whole leaf can colour. The purple flowers have evenly rounded petals.
© Averater / CC BY-SA 3.0Pinguicula emarginata
Pinguicula emarginata
A small butterwort from rock faces in Mexican cloud forest. It keeps the same leaves all year without forming a winter rosette, and its small white flowers are veined in violet; the name refers to the notched petals.
© Christian Hummert (Ixitixel) / CC BY-SA 3.0Pinguicula moctezumae
Pinguicula moctezumae
A butterwort found only in the canyon of the Río Moctezuma in Mexico. It raises long, narrow leaves about 10 cm long and bears large deep-pink flowers with a long spur. It is also known as a parent of the cultivar 'Aphrodite'.
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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.