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My growlist
This is now quite old, but I'm too busy to edit it! If you need growing info on these plants, feel free to e-mail me. I generally limit trades to local growers and long-time plant friends, but I can definitely recommend other sources if you're looking for plants. To let people know, I am in British Columbia, Canada.
Note: Plants marked with an asterisk (*) are generally considered annuals.
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Sarracenia (North American pitcher plants)
Brief description: The Sarracenia grow primarily on the eastern coast of the United States. However, S. purpurea is found growing over much of North America, extending as far west as British Columbia. Pitchers arising from an underground rhizome tempt insects with nectar and colour. Insects enter the pitcher, lose their footing, and become the next meal! Sarracenia tolerate various soil mixtures and water depths. They require a cool winter dormancy period for extended health.
I also have numerous hybrids.
Dionaea (venus flytraps)
Brief description: The infamous venus flytrap. Two clam like sides make up the trap which is set off when insects touch small hairs inside the trap. Dionaea is found naturally in a small area of North Carolina. It prefers a media with no long fibred sphagnum, lots of room for roots, and not too wet. It requires a cool winter dormancy period for extended health.
Darlingtonia (Cobra lily, California pitcher plant)
Brief description: Pitchers arise from an underground rhizome similar to Sarracenia. Insects enter under the hood of the pitcher and fall into the liquid below. Darlingtonia grows naturally in northern California and Oregon, close to coastal regions. It prefers a media of live sphagnum, with cool water around its roots. It requires a cool winter dormancy for extended health.
Heliamphora (Sun pitchers, South American pitcher plants)
Brief description: Pitchers, which are little more than folded leaves, arise from an underground rhizome. Insects are lured by the 'bell' at the top of the pitcher which secretes nectar. When they lose their footing, they fall into the liquid below. Heliamphora prefer an open soil mixture and appreciate a lot of overhead misting and watering. They originate from the highland tepuis of South America. No dormancy is required.
Cephalotus (Australian pitcher plant)
Brief desciption: Small moccasin like pitchers arise centrally from an underground rhizome to form a rosette of pitchers. Insects are lured to the edge, and sometimes fall in, from sunlight reflecting digestive fluids in the pitcher below (a welcome sight in the Australian heat). Cephalotus prefers an open mixture, with lots of room for root run and not too much water. Originate from the western coast of Australia. No dormancy required, but healthier plants are attained when photoperiod is reduced in winter.
Byblis (Rainbow plant)
Brief description: Similar to Drosera filiformis, but native to Australia Byblis consist of long leaves covered in sticky glands to which insects adhere to. These plants prefer a sandy mixture (75% sand) and little watering. No dormancy required.
Pinguicula (Butterworts)
Brief description: Traps consist of relatively normal looking leaves, except that they are covered in hundreds of small, sticky hairs. They will usually capture only small prey, such as fungus gnats. Pinguicula prefer different soil types, depending on where they originate from. Some require cool dormancy periods, others require dry dormancy, and others require no dormancy. See the cultivation section for more details. Pinguicula can be found around the world.
Utricularia (Bladderworts)
Brief description: Traps are small bladders which suck in prey through a vacuum like effect when hairs surrounding the trap door are touched. These traps are usually produced under the soil or in the water. Depending on the species, Utricularia have different soil, watering, and dormancy requirements. See the cultivation section for more details. Bladderworts are commonly found around the world.
Terrestrial species
Epiphytic species
Aquatic species
Genlisea (Corkscrew plants)
Brief description: Called the corkscrew plants because the underground traps are shaped like corkscrews. Prey is lured into these traps, and are forced to enter into the digestive glands. Genlisea are fairly tolerant of a variety of soils, but like a lot of water, humidity, and warmth. Corkscrew plants are found in South America and require no dormancy period.
Nepenthes (Tropical pitcher plants)
Brief description: The Nepenthes are generally found in the rainforests of the tropics (Malaysia, Singapore, Madagascar, etc.). Pitchers are formed at the end of tendrils on leaves surrounding a central stem. Prey is lured by colour and nectar, losing its footing and falling into the digestive fluids. Nepenthes prefer an open mixture, similar to that used for orchids. The rest of their cultivation depends on whether they are highland or lowland in origin (see cultivation tips). They require no dormancy period.
Highland species
Lowland species
Hybrids
Drosera (Sundews)
Brief description: The sundews make up the most diverse genus of carnivorous plants and can be found around the world. In general produce leaves with sticky glands which insects adhere to. See the cultivation section for details on preferred soils, watering, and dormancy.
Cape sundews Rosetted sundews Temperate sundews (perfect for Canada!) Binata complex Queensland sundews Pygmies Others