Expert: Christopher Littrell - 9/23/2007

Question
Hi, I just bought a butterwort.  i think it's a primrose butterwort.  It says that insects are supposed to stick to the leaves and then they curl to digest the bug.  The leaves on mine are not sticky at all.  Everything I put on there just crawls away.  How do I feed it?

Answer
Hello Dave,

Feeding carnivorous plants really is the least concerning problem, particularly if they are grown outdoors. Your Butterwort needs good bright light, not direct all day sun, but at least a few hours of morning sun and good indirect light for the rest of the day. Butterworts need light to produce the greasy liquid on their leaves. Your Butterwort would also do well under florescent light of at least 6000 to 12000 lumens, like a couple of 40 watt shop lights or several 100 watt equivalent energy saver compact florescent lights about 6-8 inches from the plant, if you can't get enough light on it from widows or outside.

If water is being sprayed on the plant, simply keep water from getting on the leaves for two reasons. One, it might be washing off the grease, and two, it might cause leaf rot. Butterworts are prone to rotting when too much standing water is in their pot or sprayed on the leaves. Always keep the soil just moist, but never waterlogged.

Butterworts are a class of flypaper plants that produce a light greasy liquid on their leaves. This liquid really is not all that sticky, however; does trap tiny ants (ants are strong so can fight their way out sometimes), gnats, and mosquitos. Butterworts are not going to be found with crickets and houseflies stuck to the leaves as they simply are not made to trap such large prey.

If the plant does not have any grease on the leaves at all, it just needs time and care. As long as you do not notice any continuous rotting across its leaves or mold growing on the plant, it is alive and healthy. Just keep giving it what it really needs, light and mineral free water (distilled, reverse osmosis, or rain water only, no tap water or drinking water), and it should be fine.

Christopher