THE CARNIVOROUS PLANT NOVICE:

I'm starting out on my very first carnivorous plant journey and looking for a plant that eats bugs...a carnivorous plant

Awesome! You've come to the right place!
Cultivo specialises in insect eating plants, and we stock a complete range of carnivorous plant species to help you start off your carnivorous plant addiction...er, collection

Start here as an absolute beginner...

The main deciding factor should be the type of growing conditions you can provide:
Some carnivorous plants thrive indoors, while others prefer outdoor conditions with varying levels of sunlight. Consider your space and the environment you can offer to choose the right plant for you

Where do you want to grow your new carnivorous plant?

• Indoors on a north-facing windowsill (4-6 hours direct sunlight)
• We recommend: a cape sundew, mexican butterwort, tropical pitcher plant (monkey cup) and a terrestrial bladderwort
• Outdoors in dappled shade (e.g., shaded by a tree)
• We recommend: a cape sundew, mexican butterwort, tropical pitcher plant (monkey cup) and a terrestrial bladderwort
• Outdoors in full (8+ hours) direct sunlight (not sunlight through a window)
• We recommend: a Venus flytrap, trumpet pitcher plant, forkleaf sundew, purple pitcher plant and a terrestrial bladderwort

Once you feel you are ready to advance to the next level...

• Indoors on a north-facing windowsill (4-6 hours direct sunlight)
• We recommend: A cobra lily, sun pitcher and an albany pitcher plant
• Outdoors in dappled shade (e.g., shaded by a tree)
• We recommend: A cobra lily, forkleaf sundew, albany pitcher plant, sun pitcher and a parrot pitcher plant
• Outdoors in full (8+ hours) direct sunlight (not sunlight through a window)
• We recommend: A forkleaf sundew, venus flytrap, trumpet pitcher plant, purple pitcher plant and a parrot pitcher plant

You need to know that...

• Some plants go dormant (die back to a winter bulb) during the winter months - these are called temperate plants. Temperate plants only grow actively during spring and summer - Venus flytraps, forkleaf sundews, purple pitcher plants, trumpet pitcher plants, parrot pitcher plants, and cobra lilies all fall into this category.
• Given enough light during wintertime, subtropical sundews, tropical pitcher plants, and bladderworts will grow throughout the year. Most bladderworts only flower during the warmer months.

Got it! Just a few quick questions?

Question: I'm an absolute beginner. Would you recommend starting with an actual plant or growing them from seed?

Answer:
In optimal conditions, carnivorous plant seeds typically take around 4-8 weeks to germinate, and it can take approximately 3-5 years for them to reach a size worth bragging about to your friends. We'd recommend starting with a plant and then advancing to growing them from seed once you feel more comfortable with the specific growing conditions required for each species.

Question: Do I need to buy a planter and soil, or is this all I need?

Answer:
The seven plants in our "Carnivorous Plants for Beginners" range are available in two sizes and will arrive already potted in our deluxe carnivorous plant soil. Your plant will thrive in this soil until next winter, so there's no need to transplant them right away.

The soil is specifically tailored to the needs of each carnivorous plant species, and we stock all the different types that can be purchased later if needed. When your plant arrives, simply unwrap it, water with mineral-free water, and enjoy! Additional water of this type is available for purchase if preferred

Question: Do the plants come with care sheets?

Answer: 
Absolutely! Each order includes a downloadable care sheet, jam-packed with everything you need to know. It's small enough for quick download and easy on-the-go reference on your phone or tablet!

Perfect for beginners!

👉 Buy our Carnivorous plants for Beginners range here 👈

So You Want to Grow Carnivorous Plants? Here's Where to Start

Carnivorous plants aren’t like anything else. They snap shut, they trap prey, and they’ve evolved into nature’s weirdest hunters. Once you start growing them, trust me—you won’t stop at one.

So where do you start? Simple. Just answer these:

1. WHO: Who are carnivorous plants for?
2. WHY: Why do you want to grow one?
3. WHAT: What type of plant skill excites you the most?
4. WHERE: Where do you want to grow it?
5. EXTRAS: What else do you need to know?

1. WHO: Short answer? Everyone!

Seriously—carnivorous plants are for anyone who’s bored of basic plants and wants something cooler.

• First-time plant parents who want something fun and easy to grow.
• Houseplant fans ready to switch things up with something bug-munching and alive.
• Orchid lovers, succulent people, bonsai growers—carnivores fit right in and make great companions (plus, they catch gnats!).
• Collectors and hobbyists chasing something unusual and rare.
• Terrarium builders who want to create a showpiece that actually moves and hunts.
• Anyone after a unique gift that lasts longer than a bunch of roses.

2. WHY: Why do you want to grow one?

Let’s be honest—no one wants another plant that just sits there.

• You’ve seen a flytrap snap shut on YouTube or Discovery and thought, “I need one.”
• You’re tired of boring greenery—you want something alive, reactive, with personality.
• You want a terrarium that turns heads. Throw in some bug-munchers, and you’ve got a living display that people won’t stop talking about.
• Maybe you’re just after something different—something that won’t wilt in a week and will keep surprising you.

3. WHAT: What excites you most?

Each plant’s got its own superpower—pick the one that makes you stop and stare:

• Venus Flytrap: Snap traps—watch the jaws close!
  Favourite snack: House flies, ants.
• Sundews: Sticky tentacles that curl around prey.
  Favourite snack: Gnats, mozzies, fruit flies.
• Tropical Pitcher Plants (Nepenthes): Hanging pitchers—big, bold, and weird in the best way.
  Favourite snack: Larger house insects, terrarium bugs.
• Butterworts: Easy growers with sticky leaves—perfect for windowsills and terrariums.
  Favourite snack: Fungus gnats, fruit flies.

Not sure? Start with one and let the addiction begin.

4. WHERE: Where will you grow it?

Think about your space and sunlight—it’s easy:

• Indoors (North-facing windowsill, 4–6 hours of direct sun): Cape sundews, butterworts, tropical pitchers, bladderworts.
• Outdoors (dappled shade or full sun): Venus flytraps, trumpet pitchers, purple pitchers, forkleaf sundews.
• Terrariums & Paludariums: Sundews, butterworts, tropical pitchers, mini orchids—they thrive in high humidity and look incredible.

5. EXTRAS: What else do you need to know?

• Soil: No potting soil. Carnivorous plants need nutrient-poor, species-specific soil (we stock the full range—you’re sorted).
• Water: No tap water. Use rainwater, RO, or distilled. They’re fussy about minerals but easy once you know.
• Dormancy: Some plants (like flytraps and trumpet pitchers) take a winter rest—they die back, then bounce back in spring.
• Start with a plant, not seeds: Seeds are fun later, but a plant gives you instant bug-catching action.
• We’ve made it easy: All our Beginner Range plants come potted in the right soil, ready to grow. Care sheet included. No guesswork.

Got questions? I’ve got you covered. Ready to get started?

Check out the Beginner Range here or browse Terrarium Plants & Supplies and start growing something wild today.