Garden Guide: These plants eat BUGS (Yes, really!)

If you're looking for a plant that sits around all day, maybe carnivorous plants aren't for you. No - these plants are exciting and fun. Yes, like most plants, carnivorous species like the famous Venus flytrap get energy from the sun, but the leaves produce "traps" that get an extra dose of nutrients from bugs. And they're not the only plant that'll enjoy a meaty meal.

I visited Hicks Nurseries in Westbury to talk about the most common carnivorous plants with greenhouse buyer Joyce Opulgencia.

How do carnivorous plants work?

Carnivorous plants thrive in environments where the soil lacks essential nutrients like nitrogen. To make up for that, they’ve developed specialized structures called traps. These traps lure insects, capture them and then slowly digest them to extract nutrients.

That’s why it’s so important to water them with distilled or untreated water. In nature, they grow in nutrient-poor conditions, and adding fertilizers or tap water with minerals can cause the leaves to burn.

The types of traps

Carnivorous plants have evolved different ways to hunt for bugs. Here are the most common types:

Pitfall traps: These plants have tall tube-shaped traps that collect rainwater and contain digestive enzymes. Insects are lured into the trap and can't escape. Pitcher plants are a good example.
Snap traps: These are arguably the most exciting carnivores in the plant world. These plants have traps that snap shut when the fine hairs are triggered by prey. The most famous are Venus flytraps.
Sticky traps (Sundews & butterworts): The leaves are coated in sticky, glue-like substances that trap insects when they land.

The Venus flytrap is probably the most famous carnivorous plant in the world, and it’s actually native close by, in a few small bogs in North and South Carolina.

Many people think their Venus flytrap dies after a few months and throw them out. In reality, the plant is just going dormant for winter. In its native habitat, it experiences cold winters, so when your flytrap looks like it’s struggling, it might just be taking a seasonal rest before bouncing back in spring.

A growing fascination

Joyce explained that carnivorous plants are especially popular around back-to-school season, when teachers bring them into classrooms to spark curiosity. They’re also in high demand around Halloween. Their eerie nature fits the season perfectly.

Keep these plants by a bright sunny window. These plants do not grow in typical soil & do not need bugs to survive. It's easier to grow these than you think!

More from News 12

1:51