Gardening In the Pacific Northwest with Carnivorous Plants

Whether you’re a homeowner or renter, carnivorous plants offer a world of gardening opportunities here in the Pacific Northwest.  From window sills to patios, decks and even the yard, carnivorous plants lend an exotic and colorful touch to your indoor or outdoor space.

Carnivorous plants are native to damp settings such as bogs, swamps and muddy, sandy shorelines, and require similar conditions to grow.  Because they get their nutrition from eating insects, fertilizer is generally not needed.  Indoors, terrariums work well for replicating these humid growing conditions, but pots can work too.  Outdoors, carnivorous plants can thrive here in the Pacific Northwest in ponds or bogs, which you can create yourself on your patio, deck or backyard; however, they typically won’t do well planted in soil.  Be sure to protect them against the cold during the winter by covering them with straw or other protection. 

Local growers such as Courting Frogs Nursery and Everett-based Predatory Perennials offer a variety of carnivorous plants suitable for the Pacific Northwest.  All are locally grown, and include species ranging from Sarracenia (also known as the American Pitcher plant) and Darlingtonia Californica (Cobra Lily) to Pinguicula (also known as Mexican Butterwort), which mostly catch fungus gnats - a common pest for indoor plants.

Tips for growing carnivorous plants can be found here.

Courting Frogs Nursery carnivorous plants can be found at local nurseries throughout Northwest Washington and Oregon, as well as at local plant and art fairs; Predatory Perennials plants can be found at local markets and fairs as well.