Care Guides
Venus Fly Trap
Light: Bright direct light or full sun (minimum 6 hours daily). Can be grown outdoors. If indoors place in bright area; southern facing window, & supplement with a grow light if needed.
Water: Use only distilled, rain, or reverse osmosis (RO) water. Keep growing medium constantly wet. Do not sit in more than 1” of water. Never use tap water & never let dry out.
Growing Medium: Nutrient free growing mediums. Long-fiber sphagnum moss is recommended. A 50/50 mix of peat moss & perlite can also be used.
Temperature: Summer: 60–90°F. Winter: Tolerates freezing temperatures.
Dormancy: Requires 3–4 months of cold dormancy below ~50°F. Traps brown & collapse in late fall. The rhizome remains alive underground, but above-ground growth dies back. The crown may stay green, but little to no new traps will grow. Outdoors in USDA zones 6–9: leave in full sun; natural winter provides the cold. Colder zones: protect from deep freezes (below ~20 °F) by mulching or overwintering in an unheated garage. Keep substrate moist but not waterlogged. If indoors it can be placed in a plastic bag & stored in a refrigerator (check monthly for mold).
Feeding/Fertilizing: Catches insects naturally outdoors. Indoors feeding is optional. Do not fertilize.
Potting: Use plastic or glazed pots (avoid terracotta/dries out). Repot every 1–2 years as needed.
Common Mistakes:
· Using tap water
· Not enough light
· Skipping dormancy
· Letting growing medium dry out
Sarracenia Pitcher Plant
Light: Bright direct light or full sun (minimum 6 hours daily). Can be grown outdoors. If indoors place in bright area; southern facing window, & supplement with a grow light if needed.
Water: Use only distilled, rain, or reverse osmosis (RO) water. Keep growing medium constantly wet. Do not sit in more than 1” of water. Never use tap water & never let dry out.
Growing Medium: Nutrient free growing mediums. Long-fiber sphagnum moss is recommended. A 50/50 mix of peat moss & perlite can also be used.
Temperature: Summer: 60–90°F. Winter: Tolerates freezing temperatures.
Dormancy: Requires 3–4 months of cold dormancy below ~50°F. Pitchers brown & collapse in late fall. The rhizome remains alive underground, but above-ground growth dies back. The crown may stay green, but little to no new pitcher growth occurs. Outdoors in USDA zones 6–9: leave in full sun; natural winter provides the cold. Colder zones: protect from deep freezes (below ~20 °F) by mulching or overwintering in an unheated garage. Keep substrate moist but not waterlogged. If indoors it can be placed in a plastic bag & stored in a refrigerator (check monthly for mold).
Feeding/Fertilizing: Catches insects naturally outdoors. Indoors feeding is optional. Do not fertilize.
Potting: Use plastic or glazed pots (avoid terracotta/dries out). Repot every 1–2 years as needed.
Common Mistakes:
· Not using pure water
· Not enough light
· Skipping dormancy
· Letting growing medium dry out
Nepenthes Pitcher Plant
Light: Bright indirect light. Best near a bright window or under a grow light. Avoid harsh afternoon sun.
Water: Use only mineral free water: distilled, rainwater, or reverse osmosis (RO). Keep the growing medium (sphagnum moss) always wet. Never let dry out. Do not let it sit in more than 1” of water. Specifically 50ppm or less.
Humidity: Additional humidity is not needed but can be beneficial. If you can provide 50–80% humidity then great but if not it’s okay, just do not let it dry out. Humidity trays, humidifiers, or terrariums help young plants thrive.
Growing Medium: Use airy carnivorous plant mix such as long fiber sphagnum moss or peat moss. Never use soil.
Feeding/Fertilizing: You can feed pitchers small insects, but the traps also naturally lure insects, such as flies & gnats. Do not overfeed. Do not fertilize. Pitcher plants get their nutrients from insects. Carnivorous plant food tablets can also optionally be used.
Temperature: Do not let temperatures get below 50°F. Warm conditions preferred: 70–85°F daytime & 60–70°F nighttime.
Growth Tip: If pitchers stop forming, increase humidity/moisture or light.
Common Mistakes:
· Not using pure water
· Not enough light
· Letting growing medium dry out
Marimo Moss Balls
Aegagropila linnaei
Overview: A unique spherical freshwater algae known for their soft velvety texture & slow-growing bright green appearance. Despite the common name, they are not actually moss, but a rare form of filamentous algae. In nature, they form into round balls as large as basketballs from the gentle wave action rolling them along lake bottoms in places like Japan, Icel&, & parts of Northern Europe. Marimo are popular as low-maintenance aquatic plants for jars, aquariums, desks, & minimalist décor because they require very little care & can live for many years. They also help absorb nitrates & improve water quality in aquariums. Their calming appearance & almost pet-like personality have made them extremely popular worldwide. Under proper care, marimo can live for decades & are sometimes passed down between generations.
Light: Low to medium indirect light. Avoid harsh direct sunlight.
Water: Fresh cool water. Distilled, spring, or dechlorinated water preferred.
Temperature: Best between 60–75°F. Cooler water is ideal.
Water Changes: Replace water every 1-2 weeks.
Maintenance: Gently rinse & roll occasionally to maintain shape & cleanliness.
Growth Rate: Extremely slow growing. Usually only a few millimeters per year.
Aquarium Safe: Great for shrimp tanks, betta tanks, & nano aquariums. Goldfish will eat them.
Resurrection Plant / Rose of Jericho
Selaginella lepidophylla
Overview: A fascinating desert plant native to Mexico & the southwestern U.S., known for its ability to survive extreme drought. It curls into a dry, brown ball when dehydrated & dramatically unfurls into a green, fern-like plant when exposed to water. This plant can survive years without water, making it one of the most drought-tolerant plants in the world!
How It Works:
· In dry conditions → curls into a tight ball (dormant state)
· Add water → opens within hours
· Remove water → dries & curls back up again
· This cycle can repeat many times
Watering:
· Place in shallow water (not fully submerged)
· Let it hydrate for 1–3 days
· Then remove from water & allow it to dry completely
· Repeat cycle as desired
Light:
· Bright, indirect light is best
· Avoid intense direct sunlight while hydrated
Temperature:
· Prefers warm conditions (65–85°F)
· Keep away from frost
Important Notes:
· Not a true “houseplant” — it doesn’t grow roots in the traditional sense
· Prolonged soaking can cause rot or mold
· Best displayed as a cycle plant (wet → dry → repeat)
Common Mistakes:
· Leaving it in water too long
· Submerging it fully
· Expecting continuous growth like a normal plant