What are Carnivorous Plants? 

Carnivorous plants are exactly that. They attract, trap and digest animals for the nutrients they contain. 
Carnivorous plants use a variety of strategies to lure prey into their traps. Some produce strong-smelling nectar and have intense coloration that mimic flowers. Each one has a special feature that helps them digest their prey.

There are many out there if you wish to learn more there are a lot of website that can offer more information than we can. Carnivorous plants do have strict environmental requirements; this prevents us from being able to stock a lot them. We recommend you do your research before purchasing, or speak with our knowledgeable staff before you purchase your carnivorous plant.  
These are the Carnivorous Plants that we carry in stock.

• Venus Flytrap - venus flytraps will close and seal their prey between their leaves. They then release a digestive enzyme, that liquifies the inside of the bug, leaving just the exoskeleton to fall away in the wind or rain.
• Nepenthes - grow pitchers that fill with digestive juices and when the insects fall in they are broken down and absorbed through the leaf to provide the nutrients that it needs.
• Sarracenia - create deep funnel type pitchers along their stems that trap flies and insects. They are a pitfall trap.
• Sarracenia Purpurea - typically shorter but still as hungry as their taller relatives. 
• Sundews are unique as they offer a tempting snack to their prey right out in the open. Once their prey is stuck on their pedals, they begin to digest their prey. Some curl their pedals to trap their prey as well. When they are done, they unfold and wait for their next victim. 
• Pinguiculas make a great terrarium plant. They are beautiful and attract small insects and prey. Their pedals are sticky and the insect is digested as it lay in the sticky trap. These are great in a full sun kitchen window to help with annoying gnats or fruit flies. 

Pinguicula

Venus Flytraps

Sarracenia Purpurea

Nepenthes

Sundew

Carnivorous plants keep prey separate from useful pollinating insects by growing their real flowers at the end of long stalks, which blossom as far as possible from tempting and deadly digestive organs. Sarracenia flowers are forced pollinators. 

Carnivorous plants have special needs so be sure to read the Care Guide before you purchase Carnivorous Plants. 

Farmer Browns Marketplace stocks the largest variety of carnivorous plants. We continue to grow our stock as more and more customer come in requesting these unique plants.
​You can currently find the following in Greenhouse #7 at FBM:

• Venus flytraps - best outdoors, required dormancy
• Nepenthes - best indoors in our area, no dormancy, 
• Sarracenias & Sarracenia Purpurea - outdoors, require dormancy, best in bog conditions
• Pinguiculas - best indoors, some require dormancy
• Sundews - both indoors and outdoors with right conditions, temperate sundews go dormant

​FBM Guide for Successful
​Carnivorous Plant Care

• Provide Proper Water         ​
  • Use Distilled, Reverse Osmosis, or Fresh Rainwater: Carnivorous plants grow in nutrient-poor environments. They have evolved to obtain essential nutrients from insects and other small organisms. Regular tap water contains minerals and chemicals that can harm these plants. Instead, use distilled water or rainwater to water your carnivorous plants. These water sources are free from minerals and chemicals that will kill your carnivorous plants. Be sure you use only the recommended types of water for your carnivorous plants to thrive.
• Provide Proper Soil and Humidity
  • Carnivorous plants require a specific type of soil that is low in nutrients and retains moisture. Use a mixture of sphagnum moss and perlite or sand as a growing medium is a great suggestion. This combination provides good drainage while retaining moisture. We use in our patio bogs, pro mix peat, perlite and pool sand. None of which have any fertilizer in it and will keep the soil well draining and moist.  (Inquire about purchasing carnivorous plant mix from FBM if needed. Special order item)
• ​Provide Adequate Lighting
  • Most carnivorous plants require bright, direct sunlight to grow and develop properly. Place your carnivorous plants in a location where they can receive at least 4-6 hours of direct sunlight each day. If you are growing them indoors, consider using artificial grow lights, such as fluorescent or LED lights, to supplement the natural light. Be sure to know what the light and environment requirements suit your plant best. Venus Fly Traps, Sarracenia ( American Pitcher Plants), Sarracenia Purpurea, all want to be outdoors. If you do keep them indoors be sure to offer them supplemental light in the form of a grow light.