Choose Your First Carnivorous Plant
Choose a carnivorous plant for the light, temperature and space you can provide. A plant that suits your home is a better first purchase than one chosen only for its colour or trap shape.
A bright indoor windowsill: consider a Mexican butterwort
Many Mexican Pinguicula suit bright indoor positions or a suitable grow-light setup. Their sticky leaves can catch small flying insects, including adult fungus gnats. They are living plants with their own care needs; catching gnats does not remove the larvae living in other pots.
Browse available butterworts · Read the fungus-gnat buying guide
A sunny growing spot: consider a Cape sundew
Drosera capensis, the Cape sundew, is a widely grown choice for people starting with sundews. Its glistening leaves catch small insects. Give it strong light and suitable low-mineral water, and read the listing for the format you are buying. Other sundews can have very different seasonal requirements, so the care of one species should not be applied to the whole genus.
Browse available sundews · Read the sundew care guide
A sunny outdoor position: consider a Venus flytrap or Sarracenia
Venus flytraps and North American pitcher plants are options for growers who can provide strong light and follow their seasonal cycle. Outdoor plants normally slow down or rest over winter. Acclimatise plants gradually to stronger light; a closed transport cup can overheat in direct sun.
Browse available Venus flytraps · Browse available Sarracenia · Read the Australian Sarracenia guide
A warm, bright position: explore tropical pitcher plants
Nepenthes need conditions matched to the plant. Lowland, intermediate and highland plants have different temperature preferences, especially at night. Choose a species or hybrid whose requirements suit your space before adding it to your cart.
Browse available Nepenthes · Understand Nepenthes growing groups
For a first plant or a gift, check the format
A potted plant is generally the simpler starting point. A Gel Cup contains plants growing in sterile nutrient gel and needs an appropriate transfer and acclimatisation process. Pot sizes describe the container, not a guaranteed plant diameter. Check the selected variant, plant size information and listing photographs before ordering.
Compare Gel Cups and potted plants
Your first-plant checklist
- Choose for the light and temperature you can provide.
- Arrange a suitable water source and a growing medium for that plant.
- Check whether the plant has a seasonal rest.
- Read the selected variant and its acclimatisation instructions.
- Check delivery availability, dispatch days and shipping cost before checkout.
Shipping information · Care guides and species library · Ask Nano Nursery for help choosing
Want to share the hobby?
Send this guide to a friend who is choosing their first carnivorous plant. It explains what to look for without relying on a particular product being in stock.
