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Carnivorous plants are unique in that they consume insects to gain energy and nutrition. Carnivorous plants use a variety of strategies to capture insects. These plants also perform photosynthesis. Learn more about carnivorous plants by investigating the resources below.
Sundews
Sundews
Sundews capture insects using sticky traps. Sundews are one of the most hardy kinds of carnivorous plants. Learn more about sundews and the bog gardens where they grow in this video.
Venus Flytraps
Venus Flytraps
Venus flytraps are probably the most famous of carnivorous plants and they are native to North Carolina. These plants employ the snap trap method to catch their prey. Learn more in the video.
Pitcher Plants
Pitcher Plants
Pitcher plants use pitfall traps to catch prey - they have adapted so that insects will fall into their traps and cannot escape. Pitcher plants come in a variety of colors - see some of them in this video.
Other Resources
Other Resources
What are Carnivorous Plants?
What are Carnivorous Plants?
Learn the unique adaptations of carnivorous plants and what plant has the largest trap.
Source: the International Carnivorous Plant Society.
Activity: complete the worksheet below after watching the video.
WhatareCarnivorousPlants-Elementaryworksheet.pdfHow to Grow Carnivorous Plants Indoors
How to Grow Carnivorous Plants Indoors
What carnivorous plants will grow well on a sunny windowsill? Learn about using grow lights and terrariums as well.
Source: the International Carnivorous Plant Society.
Activity: complete the worksheet below after watching the video.
HowtoGrowCarnivorousPlantsIndoors-Elementaryworksheet.pdfHow to Acclimate Carnivorous Plants to Your Home
How to Acclimate Carnivorous Plants to Your Home
If you receive plants to grow indoors, you will need to acclimate or adjust them to your growing conditions to ensure the plants thrive.
Source: the International Carnivorous Plant Society.
Activity: complete the worksheet below after watching the video.
HowtoAcclimateCarnivorousPlantstoYourHome-ElementaryWorksheet.pdfHow to Feed Venus Flytraps Indoors
How to Feed Venus Flytraps Indoors
Venus flytraps need to eat often to stay health and grow, but may have limited options indoors.
Source: the International Carnivorous Plant Society.
Activity: complete the worksheet below after watching the video.
HowtoFeedVenusflytrapsIndoors-ElementaryWorksheet.pdfHow to Grow Carnivorous Plants Outdoors
How to Grow Carnivorous Plants Outdoors
Adding carnivorous plants to your garden will add appealing colors and textures to your yard.
Source: the International Carnivorous Plant Society.
Activity: complete the worksheet below after watching the video.
HowtoGrowCarnivorousPlantsOutdoors-ElementaryWorksheet.pdfHomegrown - The Venus Flytrap: A North Carolina Native
Homegrown - The Venus Flytrap: A North Carolina Native
Did you know you shouldn't play with the traps when you see a plant in the garden or wild? Watch to find out why. You'll also see an action shot of a plant capturing an insect in this video.
Source: NC State Extension
GrowingCarnivorousPlants.pdfGrowing Native Carnivorous Plants
Growing Native Carnivorous Plants
A factsheet from the North Carolina Botanical Garden.
This page builds upon lessons included in the Youth Education Program at the Arboretum at Tanglewood Park in Clemmon, North Carolina. Lessons in the Arboretum Youth Education Program will address the following NC Essential Standard for Grade 3 Science: 3.L.2 Understand how plants survive in their environments.
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