Carnivorous plants in the garden
or on the balcony
Inspiration from our customers — from coastal regions to Geraardsbergen
Carnivorous plants have an exotic appearance and are often sought after as a natural fly trap for the patio. While they certainly catch insects, they are primarily a beautiful and unique addition to your garden. But did you know that many species thrive in our Dutch and Belgian climate? In fact, species like the Trumpet Pitcher Plant (Sarracenia), the Venus Flytrap (Dionaea muscipula), and various Sundew species (Drosera) actually need winter cold for a healthy dormancy period, and they are often perfectly hardy.
Don't have space for a whole bog garden or prefer to start smaller? No worries! Hardy carnivorous plants are also very easy to keep in pots. Just keep these basic rules in mind:
Use a spacious pot so that the roots have enough room and the soil doesn't dry out or freeze too quickly.
Never use normal potting soil! Always use a soil mix for carnivorous plants. This mimics the nutrient-poor environment.
Carnivorous plants cannot tolerate lime or minerals. Use only rainwater, distilled water, or reverse osmosis water. They love wet feet!
True sun worshippers. For the most beautiful colors and sturdy traps, they need several hours of direct sunlight.
Inspiration from our customers
Four beautiful examples: all hardy, all outdoors
Erik — Stylish on the southwest
Erik proves that carnivorous plants fit perfectly into a modern garden. He keeps his Sarracenias in stylish, grey square containers in his front garden.
- Location Front garden facing southwest. In summer, the plants enjoy the sun between 7:00 AM and 4:00 PM.
- Soil mix 65% peat and 35% perlite.
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Care tip
The dark pots can get quite warm in summer. To prevent dehydration, I use perlite in my mix and spray again around midday on hot days.
- Water Near the coast, sea wind can carry salts into rainwater. Erik uses rainwater or osmosis water as much as possible. In rare exceptions, tap water (approx. 100 ppm) is fine occasionally.
Brie & Jaap — Compact and powerful
You don't need a huge setup for stunning results. Jaap and Brie show that a Venus Flytrap and a Sarracenia 'Ariane' can also thrive in a smaller arrangement.
- The setup Grow pots with holes, placed in a closed decorative pot as a water reservoir. Always a layer of water, and easy to move or repot.
- Location Full sun against a wall: extra shelter and warmth.
- Overwintering Left outside. The plants defied the cold effortlessly.
- Soil mix Classic mix of peat and perlite.
- Growth tip The plants are now ready for a larger pot to reach their full growth potential.
Sannie — A colorful balcony
Sannie proves that you can also keep impressive carnivorous plants on a balcony. Since 2021, she has been growing a beautiful Sarracenia flava var. rubricorpora. She has an unconventional approach: her Sarracenias overwinter indoors in an unheated room that is cold enough for dormancy, and only get a spot on the balcony on suitable days, protected from strong winds.
- The plant Sarracenia flava var. rubricorpora, known for its deep red colors and getting more beautiful every year.
- Location Slightly more shade on the balcony, but still a few hours of sunlight per day, sufficient for healthy growth.
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Soil
'Your carnivorous plant soil mix is the best soil I've ever used.
- Result After years in a large pot on the balcony, still perfectly healthy and a real eye-catcher.
Philippe — The best of both worlds
Philippe shows that you can present carnivorous plants in more than one way. With a clever combination of outdoors and an unheated greenhouse, he gets the most out of his collection.
- OutdoorsHis Sarracenia flavas and Dionaea muscipulas are in a large, stylish white pot. The white color keeps the roots cooler than dark pots — ideal on hot summer days. The plants enjoy many hours of full sun, which ensures intense colors and powerful traps.
- In the greenhouseFor his most special specimens — including an impressive collection of hybrids — Philippe chooses an unheated greenhouse. This offers a little more protection, without the plants missing their much-needed cold winter dormancy.
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Philippe's tip
An unheated greenhouse is the perfect intermediate step if you want to expand your collection with rarer species, but still want them to follow the natural seasonal rhythm.
The perfect natural insect catcher?
While a carnivorous plant in the garden helps catch flies and wasps, you shouldn't expect them to solve an entire mosquito plague. However, they are the most fascinating way to increase the biodiversity in your garden or on your balcony! Because these species are fully hardy, you will enjoy them year after year.
🌿 Want to create your own pot? Here's how!
Proper preparation of your soil mix is key to success. Here's how to do it:
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1Prepare peatDry peat absorbs water poorly if you put it directly in the pot. First, knead the peat thoroughly with rainwater (or osmosis water) until it is evenly moist and the texture feels nice and loose.
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2Add perlite and sphagnum (optional)If desired, mix in perlite for better drainage and aeration. A ratio of 60–70% peat and 30–40% perlite is a proven classic. Preferably use peat as the top layer, this keeps the surface evenly moist. Optionally, Sphagnum can be used as a top layer for a natural look.
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3PottingFill the pot with your mix and plant your hardy species. The top layer is preferably pure peat; this gives a natural look and keeps the surface evenly moist.
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4WateringPlace the pot in a layer of rainwater so that the soil is soaked from below. Are you using a large, closed pot without drainage holes? Then you can simply use it as its own water reservoir; refill when the water level drops. If you are using a grow pot with holes, place it in a decorative pot or on a saucer with water.
💡 Handy tips
- Small pot? Choose our outdoor plants in pots. Repotting later is possible with our special soil mix.
- Large specimens? Our Sarracenias with bare roots are ideal for direct planting, such as the Ariane or Crimson Wave.
Inspired?
Are you inspired by Erik, Brie & Jaap, Sannie, or Philippe? Check out our hardy sets and the right soil products to create your own carnivorous paradise, whether it's in the garden or on the 4th floor!
Hardy plants shipped in pots Sarracenia bare root Order soil mix📸 Share your growing experience and win!
Have you bought carnivorous plants from us and are you also so proud of your patio, balcony, or bog garden? Share your photos and your growing method with us! Who knows, we might feature your plants in our next blog post, and you'll have a chance to win a voucher for your next purchase in our webshop. Send your photos to killian@dupontflora.com.
1 comment
Hier staat dcxl van jou in op m.n balkon is 3e jaar nu en doet het prima kweek in grote potten de andere 2 zijn b52 ,b52 canada .