Best Carnivorous Plants for Low Humidity

Which carnivorous plants handle low humidity? If your home has dry air, start with the ones that care more about wet roots than humid air. Mexican butterworts (Pinguicula), Venus flytraps and the forked sundew (Drosera binata) all do well in normal room air. Many hybrid Nepenthes, like 'St. Gaya', adapt too. Save humidity-lovers like Drosera prolifera for a terrarium.

When I started growing in my apartment, I assumed everything would need a terrarium. Most of my plants didn't.

For the basic rules (light, distilled water, nutrient-free soil), see our beginner care guide. This post is only about humidity.

Do Carnivorous Plants Need High Humidity?

Most beginner carnivorous plants don't need high humidity. They need consistently moist roots. The International Carnivorous Plant Society (ICPS) notes that most carnivorous plants need less humidity than you'd expect from where they grow in the wild.

Humidity matters more for some plants than others:

• Sundews make less dew in very dry air, though tougher species keep growing
• Nepenthes may stop opening new pitchers when the air is too dry, even while the leaves keep growing. Hybrids are usually more forgiving. See why isn't my Nepenthes making pitchers?
• Flytraps and Mexican butterworts are fine in ordinary room air when their water and light needs are met

Winter heating makes it worse. Vents and radiators near windows blow warm, dry air right onto windowsill plants.

Mexican Butterworts (Pinguicula)

The ICPS calls Mexican butterworts probably the best candidates for houseplant carnivores, and says they handle the dry air inside a house. They stay compact and catch fungus gnats on their sticky leaves.

Our current pick is Pinguicula esseriana, a small, tidy rosette that can blush pink in strong light.

Butterworts aren't bog plants. Keep the soil just damp, and drier in winter when many switch to small "succulent" leaves. Use our Pinguicula Soil Mix, and see how to care for Pinguicula.

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Venus Flytraps

Flytraps grow in open, sunny bogs. Their roots are wet, but the air around them isn't especially humid. With the tray method and lots of light, they don't need a terrarium. A closed terrarium can actually trap heat and cause mold.

Our current pick is Venus Flytrap 'Piranha'. Remember that flytraps need a cool winter rest; see Is My Venus Flytrap Dying or Dormant?

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Forked Sundew (Drosera binata)

Drosera binata is one of the toughest sundews. It grows fast and keeps going in normal indoor air as long as its roots stay wet and it gets strong light. In very dry air you may see less dew and a few brown tips.

• Soil: Drosera & Sarracenia Soil Mix
• Water: a tray of distilled water
• More care: Drosera care guide

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Can Nepenthes Grow in Dry Air?

Pure lowland Nepenthes species usually want very humid air. Many hybrids handle normal homes much better. The ICPS and experienced growers point to N. ventricosa, N. khasiana and the N. maxima group as tough parents.

• Nepenthes 'St. Gaya': N. khasiana × (ventricosa × maxima). It has all three of those tough parents.
• Nepenthes lowii x ventricosa 'Red': a hardy intermediate hybrid
• Nepenthes 'Black Miracle': forgiving indoors, but its ampullaria parent likes humidity, so a bit more helps it make its darkest pitchers

Use a moisture-holding mix like our Nepenthes Soil Mix, water a little and often, and expect fewer pitchers in the driest months. More in How to Care for Nepenthes.

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Which Carnivorous Plants Need More Humidity?

These are great plants. They just need a plan in a dry home:

• Nepenthes x dyeriana: an intermediate-to-lowland hybrid that likes warmth and moderate to high humidity. A humid room, grow tent or cabinet works best.
• Drosera prolifera: grows naturally in shaded, humid rainforest in Queensland. Plan on a terrarium or humidity cabinet.
• Heliamphora: mountain plants used to high humidity; see the Heliamphora collection.

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How Do You Grow Carnivorous Plants in a Dry Home?

• Pick dry-tolerant plants first. This matters more than any gadget.
• Keep the roots moist. Use trays for flytraps and sundews, slightly drier soil for butterworts, and evenly damp soil for Nepenthes. See how often should I water a carnivorous plant?
• Use pure water only. Distilled, rain or RO water. See what water is safe for carnivorous plants.
• Move plants away from heating vents.
• Group pots on a shared water tray so they create a little humid pocket.
• Use a cheap hygrometer so you know your real humidity instead of guessing.
• Give strong light. See can carnivorous plants grow in a window?

Common Low-Humidity Mistakes

• Putting a flytrap in a closed terrarium
• Keeping butterworts soggy all winter
• Parking plants above a heating vent
• Misting instead of fixing wet roots and light
• Buying a high-humidity plant with no plan for it

FAQ

What is the best carnivorous plant for low humidity?
For a beginner, a Mexican butterwort like Pinguicula esseriana, with flytraps and Drosera binata close behind.

Can Nepenthes grow in low humidity?
Many hybrids can, especially ones with ventricosa or khasiana in their background, like 'St. Gaya'.

Do I need a terrarium?
No. Butterworts, flytraps, forked sundews and many Nepenthes hybrids grow fine without one.

Why is my sundew losing its dew?
Usually dry air, low light, or both. Give it more light and a water tray.

Does misting help?
Only briefly. Wet roots, good light and grouping plants help more.