Small flies hovering around your indoor pots? A butterwort can be a useful addition to your plant collection. Pinguicula catch small insects on sticky leaves, while their flowers and compact rosettes make them interesting plants in their own right.
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Will a butterwort get rid of fungus gnats?
A butterwort with active carnivorous leaves can catch adult fungus gnats that land on it. It does not reach the eggs, larvae or pupae living in another pot’s growing medium, so it cannot guarantee an infestation will disappear. Think of it as a living trap for some of the adults.
Check the affected houseplants for excess moisture and decaying material. Adjust their watering and drainage to suit those plants. Do not dry out your carnivorous plants simply to treat gnats elsewhere. For the pest’s life cycle and management, see the University of California IPM fungus gnat guide.
Choose the plant format first
For a windowsill plant, start by looking at a potted plant rather than choosing a gel cup on price alone. Read the selected variant: a 4 cm pot describes the container, not the mature leaf span. Young plants and plants still acclimatising need time before they settle into ordinary growing conditions.
Gel, transition and soil cups can be rewarding for growers who want to raise plants through the next stage, but their protected environment is not a ready-made gnat trap. Compare gel cups, soil cups and potted plants before ordering.
Match the butterwort to your space
Mexican butterworts are often grown in bright, gentle light with an open, suitable growing medium. Species differ, so check the exact plant’s requirements rather than using one watering routine for every Pinguicula. Keep protected cups out of hot direct sun.
Many Mexican species form smaller, non-carnivorous succulent leaves during a seasonal resting phase. Their insect-catching ability changes with their growth phase; a resting rosette is not a year-round pest-control promise. The New England Carnivorous Plant Society’s Mexican Pinguicula guide explains this seasonal change.
Before you order
- Check the exact species or hybrid name and selected pot or cup format.
- Choose a plant whose light and seasonal needs suit your growing space.
- Read the product description for what is included; photographs may show a representative or mature plant.
- Use the availability filter for current choices. Stock and available formats change.
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