Do you remember your childhood?
Those moments when something in nature captivated you?
Perhaps it was the first time you saw a caterpillar munching away at a leaf, or a rose plant covered in aphids. Perhaps it was a line of ants carting treats back to the nest.
Children are often captivated by carnivorous plants.
Not only is it a wonderful way to show that nature is unique and varied, but it’s a gentle introduction to the concept of predators, adaptations and how the environment creates balance.
Exploring Carnivorous plants with kids
When we saw a venus fly trap at a garden centre last month, I showed my eldest daughter how the trap was triggered. Using a small stick, I put pressure on the inside of a trap and we watched it close.
She was shocked and excited. She stood at the display for ages, closing all the traps.
I’m not kidding. She closed every single one.
It was a pretty strong indication that she was really interested.
We bought the Venus Fly Trap and a Trumpet Pitcher Plant to take home. I wanted to explore the two different types of carnivorous plants with her.
Taking care of your carnivorous plants
First, we had to learn how to take care of our plants.
After reading the tag that came with the plants, we learnt that taking care of these plants is slightly different from your average garden plant.
They need access to water at all times, so it’s important to keep them in a tray of water. They also require plenty of sun. If your plant starts to get a little burnt from the direct sunlight, you’ll need to move it into an area that has slightly less sun through the heat of the day.
We learnt the hard way!
Learning about why plants capture insects
My daughter asked why all the plants in our garden don’t catch insects. This was a perfect opportunity to learn more about these plants and why they catch insects.
We watched a few You Tube clips to find out why plants have adapted to eating insects.
We learnt that carnivorous plants usually live in areas where nutrients in their environment are scarce, so they need to eat animals to have their needs met.
Different capture methods of carnivorous plants
We found out that both carnivorous plants attract insects using their coloration and nectar. The difference between the two plants is how they trap their prey.
The traps of the Venus Fly Trap spring shut once the trigger hairs are touched, trapping the insect inside, whilst the Trumpet Pitcher Plant draws the insect close to the tube’s edge and the insect falls down where it drowns in the plants digestive juices. Not so pleasant for little ones, but my eldest didn’t seem to mind!
Where to get a Venus Fly Trap and Trumpet Pitcher Plant?
Like us, you can go to your local garden shop and see if they have any for sale. If they don’t, ask them if they can get them in. You can also buy them online!
Of course, there may be restrictions on these two plants in different countries. Perhaps you could find out if there are any native predatory plants in your country.
Follow up activities
- Learn more about predators and prey
- Learn more about other types of predatory plants. Carnivorous plants by David Attenborough is another great You Tube Clip to learn about more carnivorous plants.
- Discuss insect control – chemical vs. natural
- Find out more about the predators to insects
Oooh, those plants fascinate me too! Would be cool to get some for our house. Thanks for sharing 🙂
You’re welcome Debs. We had a great time exploring them. I was surprised how into it Miss Possum got.
Not predatory, but The TickleMe Plant is my kid’s and student’s favorite plant because it moves much more than any of the carnivorous ones. Tickle this plant and the leaves close and branches droop only to reopen in minutes, not hours or days. Find TickleMe Plants and the TickleMe Plant Book online…a great friend of the Venus Fly Trap and Zombie Plant.
Predator plants are fascinating, even my husband and I love getting them to trap things! We don’t have any of these in our garden, but perhaps we should – I know my kids would enjoy exploring what they do!
I remember playing with them when I was little but I can’t remember learning much about them. It was a really interesting activity for both Miss Possum and myself!
I absolutely loved reading this post because predator plants are so interesting and clever! Such a great way to get kids interested in plants. Do such plants grow in most areas?
Ah David Attenborough, may he live on forever.
It’s amazing how plants adapted to catch insect. A little freaky lately. I love David Attenborough. He always hooks me with this wildlife videos!
What a great post Penny…i learnt a lot and i really love the fascination and interest on your little helper’s face!!
Thanks Jode. I really enjoyed this activity too. Nature is so interesting. I don’t think I’ll ever tire of learning about it!
I have been fascinated by these since my childhood 🙂 This is a great post, full of interesting and helpful information.
Thanks Amie. I’m so glad you thought so. We had so much fun with this activity
Oh, I want a Fry Trap Plant!!! I absolutely love how you grabbed the opportunity for learning through Miss Possum’s inquisitiveness and questions. I love how the dead fly was not wasted 🙂 Such a fabulous topic!
I couldn’t not buy one for her Janice. They are so interesting. I don’t know if they really catch flies though. We’ve had heaps of flies around our home and not one has been attracted to it. Luckily, David Attenborough gave us some video footage to watch!
Fascinating!
so very interesting…..
I have always loved venus fly traps, I remember watching them eagerly waiting for a fly to come near when i was a kid!
Did the traps ever catch on Renee? Ours doesn’t seem to catch them. I don’t mind though because Miss Possum watched it happening in the documentary.
Predator plants are SO COOL! My little one would love to learn about these too. Thanks for all the great info.
You’re welcome Kylie. They ARE cool aren’t they. I don’t think I’ll ever know the all the awesome adaptations plants and animals have adapted.
Wow these plants are awesome, my kids would love them. Great Post
Thanks Rebecca. I’m glad you liked it. I wonder how many carnivorous plants are out there. Hmm another thing for me to research!
I remember as a kid being so fascinated by the Venus Fly Trap. The Trumpet Pitcher Plant looks amazing too. Will definitely have to get some for our boys.
Thanks for sharing, Penny x
Thanks for dropping by Gracie. I’m sure your boys would love one!
I have to be honest and say that they creep me out. (I think I must have a scary fly trap movie image somewhere in my past) – I know my girls would be fascinated though…
The idea of a carnivorous plant is mind-boggling to me and yes – I’m a hypocrite as I enjoy eating plants all the time 🙂
I remember seeing a play/musical about a plant that grew and then ate people? I can’t remember the name of it though. The plants we got are really little and I’m sure if you saw one you wouldn’t really be creeped out. It’s the thought of them isn’t it!
I’m certain your girls would LOVE to have one 😉
I have to admit, I went to our local nursery today and bought a Venus Fly Trap! I thought it would be a great solution to our fly problem …but the guy at the garden centre told me that it will not catch flies, it’s just a novelty!? …the tag in the plant said it DOES so I am going with that!
They are meant to Julie but ours hasn’t caught a fly yet. 🙁 The trumpet pitcher plant did though. I’m hanging for winter when all the flies go away!
This would be so fascinating. Like you said, so much to learn from these little plants. It would be interesting to create a little discovery journal for kids to document what they have learnt. I have so many ideas buzzing around in my head now from reading this. I know Jack will find this so fascinating too. A trip to the nursery on the weekend I think…..
I love those plants! We have a great garden centre not too far from us, and they have a great selection. I’m always tempted to get one, but I never actually do.
I might just do it finally for the boys. I’m sure they’d love it too! 🙂
xx