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Dionaea muscipula - Venus Flytrap

Stand in 1/2 - 1 inch water (rainwater or boiled and cooled tapwater ideally) through the summer in full sun (a south-facing windowsill is ideal).

In the winter months (October-March), the plant will experience a natural dormant period and should be kept cool (0-10oC) and watering should be reduced until the soil is just moist. Lighting may also be reduced while the plant is dormant. Some or all the leaves will die back - this is no cause for concern, and is entirely natural as nutrients are drawn down into the resting bud of the plant. Dead leaves may be removed to discourage mould or disease.

New growth will resume in the Spring when warm conditions are restored, and healthy plants which have undergone good dormancy conditions will flower in April-May.

It is not necessary to feed these plants, but if this is done, it must be with live insects - the struggling of the prey is necessary for proper trap functioning and enzyme production. Lumps of meat, plant fertiliser, fish food, etc. are not suitable food, and will cause premature ageing of the trap with a risk of rotting. Excessive triggering of the traps will also prematurely age them, tiring the plant. Each trap is capable of catching and digesting 2-4 insects, after which it will naturally die back to be replaced by new traps.

Repot every year or two in the Spring in a mix of 2 parts peat to 1 part coarse sand. Healthy plants will produce offset plants that can be divided and potted up separately.

Sarracenia species - Pitcher Plants

Stand in 1/2 - 1 inch water (rainwater or boiled and cooled tapwater ideally) through the summer in full sun (outdoors or on a south-facing windowsill is ideal).

In the winter months (October-March), the plant will experience a natural dormant period and should be kept cold (-10-+10oC) and watering should be reduced until the soil is just moist. Some or all of ther pitchers will diee back - this is no cause for concern, and is entirely natrual as nutrients are drawn down into the rhizome. Dead pitchers may be removed to discourage mould or disease.

New growth will resume in the Spring when warm conditions are restored, and healthy plants which have undergone good dormancy conditions will flower in March-May.

Many species are fully hardy in the UK and suitable for growing outdoors all year round as pond marginals, etc., but all benefit from some protection from gales and will resume growth sooner if protected from heavy frosts. An unheated greenhouse or garage is ideal, and lighting may be reduced while the plant is dormant. Watch out for mould in the winter if the plants are kept in a warm or badly ventilated environment, and treat with a non- copper-based systemic fungicide if necessary.

Plants may be repotted every 2-3 years, and mature rhizomes with several growth points can be divided with a sharp knife in February-March and potted up separately.

Drosera species - Sundews

Stand in 1/2 - 1 inch water (rainwater or boiled and cooled tapwater ideally) through the summer in full sun (a south-facing windowsill is ideal).

Reduce watering in the winter months (October-March), when growth will slow, but a cold dormancy is not necessary for most species.

Most species will flower profusely in the Spring and Summer, producing copious quantities of fine seed which may be sown on a mixture of 2 parts peat to 1 part coarse sand standing in water just like the parent plant.

May be fed occasionally with fish food flakes or powder if no insects are available in the growing position.

Pinguicula species - Butterworts

For Mexican species, keep soil damp but do not stand in water. Keep warm and protect from full sun (a north-facing windowsill is ideal, or shade them with a taller plant).

In the winter allow soil to dry out almost completely and mist the plants lightly occasionally.

Profuse fllowers are produced by most species through the Spring and Summer. May be fed occasionally with fish food flakes or powder if no insects are available in its growing position.

North American species enjoy a wetter peaty habit - cultivation as for Dionaea muscipula, with which they often grow in the wild.

Cephalotus follicularis - Albany Pitcher Plant

Stand in 1/2 - 1 inch water (rainwater or boiled and cooled tapwater ideally) through the summer in full sun to half shade. Allow water tray to dry out before refilling.

In winter reduce water to keep the soil just damp, and keep frost-free as this species does not go dormant. A sunny windowsill is often ideal for this species, which allowing for adequate water, thrives on neglect.

If repotting/dividing, do not tip plant - the pitchers will shrivel if they are emptied (even if immediately refilled). The roots are very delicate, so take care not to disturb them. Use a soil of equal parts of peat, coarse sand and perlite.

Nepenthes species - Asian Pitcher Plants

Keep well-watered but do not stand in water. Stand in a bright position but protected from scorching sun. All Nepenthes species are tropical rainforest plants, so keep warm and humid - mist regularly and avoid placing near radiators or dehumidifiers.

These plants often do well in a kitchen or bathroom where regular humidity "pulses" can be relied on from cooking/running hot water, in a conservatory with ferns, banana palms and other tropical species, or in a dedicated terrarium or converted aquarium.If leaves fall to pitchers or pitchers soon wither, raise humidity.

Most species grow into extremely long vines in time, but can be pruned back when too long, and this promotes new basal growth. Cuttings can be rooted in orchid bark or water if kept warm and sealed in a plastic bag until roots have formed. Use a soil of equal parts of peat, perlite and orchid bark for repotting and for rooted cuttings.

If no flies are available in the growing position, a light foliar feed may be applied (half strength) once a month through the summer.