You’ll often see carnivorous plants marketed as a “natural” way to get rid of annoying flies around the house. In the wild, these extra snacks are actually essential for their survival. However, when it comes to the plants we grow at home, extra feeding usually isn’t necessary at all.
Skip the Meat Products
While it’s true that carnivores can process animal protein—and some species, like Pitcher plants, can even digest small mammals—raw or cooked meat from your fridge is a huge no-no. Pieces of meat are indigestible for these plants and will quickly start to mold.
This mold can spread and cause permanent damage to the leaves or other parts of your plant. Plus, larger chunks of meat will eventually start to smell like rotting leftovers. Definitely not the vibe you want in your living room!
Feeding Live Insects
Even though supplemental feeding isn’t required if you’re using high-quality soil, a few insects here and there can actually be a nice boost for the plant. While carnivorous plants aren’t exactly a magic cure for a gnat infestation, bugs are a natural food source for them.
If you do decide to feed your plant, make sure you only use live insects. The movement of a bug struggling on a sticky leaf or inside a trap is what actually triggers the plant’s digestive process.
This doesn’t happen with dead insects. They often just sit there undigested in the traps, which leads to—you guessed it—mold. Just like with meat, that mold can jump from the bug to the plant and cause some serious harm.
Keep the Portions Small
When it comes to feeding, size definitely matters. Any insect you offer should be no larger than a common housefly. Carnivorous plants can’t handle a “buffet” of bugs, especially if they’re already getting plenty of nutrients from their potting mix.
If a larger insect accidentally wanders into a Pitcher plant or gets stuck on a sundew, it’s actually a good idea to gently remove it. There’s a high risk the plant won’t be able to digest it fully before it starts to decay.
Use the Right Potting Mix
The tropical rainforest is the natural home for many of these plants. Contrary to what many people think, the soil layer there isn’t very thick, but the warm, wet weather causes organic matter to rot quickly, providing a steady stream of nutrients. Most commercial potting soils are pre-loaded with nutrients, though they can only hold onto them for so long.
If you use a high-quality substrate specifically designed for carnivorous plants, you don’t need to worry about feeding them at all. While there’s no harm in letting the plant keep a bug that wanders into its trap, you can skip the tedious task of hunting down live insects yourself.
To make sure your green friends always have enough “fuel” in their soil, try to repot them regularly. If you give them fresh substrate once a year, the nutrient levels will be so consistent that you won’t even need to use extra fertilizer!
