Growing Carnivorous Plants in a Terrarium

One of the spookiest species of plants is the carnivorous Venus Fly Trap. These insectivorous plants attract prey with their sweet smelling nectar located in their deadly jaws. An unsuspecting insect, looking for nectar, can easily stimulate the trigger hairs in the jaws, and then bam, the trap quickly closes and the victim cannot escape!

The Venus Fly Trap does not actually eat the unfortunate insect, instead the plant secretes an enzyme, which dissolves into a delicious delicacy. It takes a few days before the fly trap is hungry again, but when it is, the jaws re-open to await another sacrifice.

Venus Fly Traps are not hard to grow just as long as they are provided bright indirect light indoors, and a constant warm, humid and wet environment

A terrarium is an ideal home for the insect eating Venus Fly Trap.

Carnivorous Terrarium

1 Terrarium container - 8-inch diameter fish bowl or bubble bowl. Or, 10-inch tall x 4-inch wide cylinder jar, canister or vase. Activated charcoal Small bag peat moss with wetting agent (Peat moss is hard to wet and re-wet, so a wetting agent is helpful. It will state "wetting agent" on the bag) Distilled water Bowl with water to soak peat moss 2 or 3-inch Venus Fly Trap plant (Optional) Plastic spider for a spooky look, or medium sized rock for interest (Optional) Cork pad to fit the top of the terrarium. (Purchase in plant departments of nurseries, and used to protect surfaces from scratches and water. Enclosed terrariums create a more humid environment for the plant) (Optional) Power drill and small bit to create small air holes in the cork cover

Spread a thin layer of activated charcoal on the bottom of the bowl. This layer will clean the smelly fumes caused when organic matter starts to decompose.

Soak the peat moss in a bowl of distilled water. Remove the moss from the water and ring it out. Now spread a layer of moss approximately 4-inches thick over the activated charcoal layer.

Carefully remove the Venus Fly Trap from its container. Make a hole in the peat moss and plant it. Add more moss to fill in around the fly trap if necessary.

(Optional) Insert spooky spider or rock to the side of the plant.

(Optional) If the terrarium does not have a lid and one is desired, create a cover with a cork pad that fits and rests neatly on top of the terrarium. Then drill a few small holes in the cork and place it on top of the terrarium. The cover will create an enclosed terrarium, which offers more humidity for the plant.

A terrarium with a cover over the top requires very little water. If the terrarium is not completely enclosed water may be necessary on a weekly or monthly basis. Water is necessary if there is no condensation on the glass. The condensation is what waters terrariums. The condensation falls back into the potting mixture providing necessary moisture. Fly traps are unusually sensitive to chemicals so only use distilled or rain water. If necessary, use tap water that has been set out for 24 to 48 hours uncovered. This will allow chlorine and other chemicals in the tap water to dissipate. Feed the fly trap with live or dead flies, crickets or moths. Obviously a cover is need for the terrarium if feeding live food. Make a temporary cover out of aluminum foil when feeding live insects. Fly traps will munch 2 or 3 flies, moths or crickets each month. Never feed the plant hamburger, it's too high in cholesterol. Hard shell insects such as beetles are also hard to digest and not recommended. There is no need to fertilize carnivorous plants. The insects they consume provide them with all the food they require. Resist sticking your finger into the fly trap's trap, as this will drain the plants' energy. The plant could die if this is done too often. To prevent fungal infections, keep dead leaves and heads cut off. Dead leaves and heads are normal and does not necessarily mean the plant is unhealthy. Venus Fly Traps have an active growing period from May through October. During this time they should be kept damp and in an environment between 70 to 95 degrees. In winter, fly traps go into a dormant period for about 3 months. At this time the entire terrarium can be moved to a place that stays between 45 to 50 degrees.