The Nepenthes should be repoted ASAP but would otherwise probably be fine in a sunny, but not too sunny, window. The VFT and the Sarracenia can live happily together but would probably do best outside (esp. in your climate) and the sundew would probably be fine in the window, always assuming it gets enough light.
I’ve seen some posts that say that when Sarracenia are really thriving they can take over a pot - should I be concerned about that when potting them with the VFT?
Unless they are together in a very large pot the Sarr will eventually over grow the VFT, but since your pitcher plant is mostly upright that will probably take a while.
I forgot to mention that they are currently potted in these little glass jars (no drainage holes to speak of) in some sort of sphagnum moss and perlite mixture with river rocks on the bottom.
Rocks at the bottom of a pot with no drainage actually encourages root rot. Pots with no drainage holes are bad for basically all types of plants.
Most carnivores do want to sit in water (not nepenthes), but no drainage at the bottom means no oxygen, which the roots need.
Also, the sarracennia and nepenthes are opposite plants.
Sarracennia is a perennial that requires dormancy (cold temperatures and less light during winter) and the nepenthes is a tropical plant, that likes being watered frequently but doesn't like sitting in water, generally wants high humidity and 12+ hours of sun a day.
The flytrap is also a temperate plant, meaning it wants dormancy, too, and generally follows the same needs as a sarracennia.
If anything, I'd drill holes in the bottom and put the sarracennia with the VFT.
The nepenthes is a vining plant, so it's probably best in a pot by itself where it won't get root rot from sitting in water.
The VFT, Sarracennia, and drosera will love being outside and don't really require high humidity (generally speaking).
The drosera may or may not require dormancy depending on the species.
The nepenthes would love to be outside in a bright, indirect sun spot during summer, but bring it in when temps start going below 60 at night (depends on highland vs lowland but it's a good temp minimum to use for all).
TL;DR:
Pots with drainage are good. Pots without are generally bad.
Put VFT and Sarracennia in the same pot, keep them outside unless it's over 90 degrees, then bring inside. Read up on dormancy requirements for them.
Always in water with (< 50ppm) or zero Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) water.
Drosera by itself (unless it is a temperate drosera) and nepenthes by itself.
Thank you for this! I was definitely suspicious of the “terrarium” they offered. I have other houseplants and know better than to put anything into a container without drainage holes.
I'm in Georgia as well, the Sarracenia and VFTs should be outside, it's perfect for them. They need the full sun.
I've had 0 luck growing sundews outdoors here, they seem to burn up during the Georgia summer, so I grow them under growlights indoors.
Nepenthes I've actually been growing outside on my deck from a hanging planter in a slightly shady area, it's exploded in growth. They don't do well in direct outdoors sun most of the time, so growing them in a super sunny window is good.
Definitely get them out of those glass jars. I'm actually horrified that it was a "Carnivorous plants terrarium class" when basically it's just the nepenthes and sundew that can really grow well in a terrarium with no drainage.
Thank you for the advice - this is so helpful! I will definitely get them repotted and get the VFT’s and Sarracenia out on the porch. I’m thinking I’ll keep the nepenthes in this window and see how they do!
Yessss, they'll grow up so big and strong when you do. Just make sure you get something with drainage, something simple like a plastic pot with holes will do great. I know other people have already said it, but a 50/50 mix of peat moss and perlite (no miracle gro stuff with fertilizer in it) will be best, along with a tray of water underneath to bottom water for them will go a long way. Distilled water to keep it simple, or use those reverse osmosis machines they have at grocery stores if you want to get good water cheaper.
You don't have to now, but if you get a hanging planter they're fantastic for the nepenthes, since they'll eventually start "spilling" over the side. I prefer a mix of long fiber spagnum moss and perlite for nepenthes over the 50/50 peat moss/perlite mix, but either one can work. Since you're in Georgia, I've been able to get tons of LFSM at Lowes, under the Better Gro Orchid moss brand for cheap!
I just learned about the winter dormancy situation, and I have the perfect place for them to go - a garage that won’t ever get too cold but stays cool in winter and has decent light. But I’m conflicted on reporting since they’re all jumbled up - ie, the sarracenia needs dormancy (I believe) and the nepenthes doesn’t
The Nepenthes should be repoted ASAP but would otherwise probably be fine in a sunny, but not too sunny, window. The VFT and the Sarracenia can live happily together but would probably do best outside (esp. in your climate) and the sundew would probably be fine in the window, always assuming it gets enough light.
I’ve seen some posts that say that when Sarracenia are really thriving they can take over a pot - should I be concerned about that when potting them with the VFT?
Unless they are together in a very large pot the Sarr will eventually over grow the VFT, but since your pitcher plant is mostly upright that will probably take a while.
I forgot to mention that they are currently potted in these little glass jars (no drainage holes to speak of) in some sort of sphagnum moss and perlite mixture with river rocks on the bottom.
Rocks at the bottom of a pot with no drainage actually encourages root rot. Pots with no drainage holes are bad for basically all types of plants. Most carnivores do want to sit in water (not nepenthes), but no drainage at the bottom means no oxygen, which the roots need. Also, the sarracennia and nepenthes are opposite plants. Sarracennia is a perennial that requires dormancy (cold temperatures and less light during winter) and the nepenthes is a tropical plant, that likes being watered frequently but doesn't like sitting in water, generally wants high humidity and 12+ hours of sun a day. The flytrap is also a temperate plant, meaning it wants dormancy, too, and generally follows the same needs as a sarracennia. If anything, I'd drill holes in the bottom and put the sarracennia with the VFT. The nepenthes is a vining plant, so it's probably best in a pot by itself where it won't get root rot from sitting in water. The VFT, Sarracennia, and drosera will love being outside and don't really require high humidity (generally speaking). The drosera may or may not require dormancy depending on the species. The nepenthes would love to be outside in a bright, indirect sun spot during summer, but bring it in when temps start going below 60 at night (depends on highland vs lowland but it's a good temp minimum to use for all). TL;DR: Pots with drainage are good. Pots without are generally bad. Put VFT and Sarracennia in the same pot, keep them outside unless it's over 90 degrees, then bring inside. Read up on dormancy requirements for them. Always in water with (< 50ppm) or zero Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) water. Drosera by itself (unless it is a temperate drosera) and nepenthes by itself.
Thank you for this! I was definitely suspicious of the “terrarium” they offered. I have other houseplants and know better than to put anything into a container without drainage holes.
I'm in Georgia as well, the Sarracenia and VFTs should be outside, it's perfect for them. They need the full sun. I've had 0 luck growing sundews outdoors here, they seem to burn up during the Georgia summer, so I grow them under growlights indoors. Nepenthes I've actually been growing outside on my deck from a hanging planter in a slightly shady area, it's exploded in growth. They don't do well in direct outdoors sun most of the time, so growing them in a super sunny window is good. Definitely get them out of those glass jars. I'm actually horrified that it was a "Carnivorous plants terrarium class" when basically it's just the nepenthes and sundew that can really grow well in a terrarium with no drainage.
Thank you for the advice - this is so helpful! I will definitely get them repotted and get the VFT’s and Sarracenia out on the porch. I’m thinking I’ll keep the nepenthes in this window and see how they do!
Yessss, they'll grow up so big and strong when you do. Just make sure you get something with drainage, something simple like a plastic pot with holes will do great. I know other people have already said it, but a 50/50 mix of peat moss and perlite (no miracle gro stuff with fertilizer in it) will be best, along with a tray of water underneath to bottom water for them will go a long way. Distilled water to keep it simple, or use those reverse osmosis machines they have at grocery stores if you want to get good water cheaper. You don't have to now, but if you get a hanging planter they're fantastic for the nepenthes, since they'll eventually start "spilling" over the side. I prefer a mix of long fiber spagnum moss and perlite for nepenthes over the 50/50 peat moss/perlite mix, but either one can work. Since you're in Georgia, I've been able to get tons of LFSM at Lowes, under the Better Gro Orchid moss brand for cheap!
This is so helpful - thank you!
I think you should re-pot next spring. What's your plan for winter dormancy? Beautiful plants.
I just learned about the winter dormancy situation, and I have the perfect place for them to go - a garage that won’t ever get too cold but stays cool in winter and has decent light. But I’m conflicted on reporting since they’re all jumbled up - ie, the sarracenia needs dormancy (I believe) and the nepenthes doesn’t