What lighting to choose for carnivorous plants
What lighting to choose for carnivorous plants is one of the key factors for their successful cultivation and healthy growth. The most suitable and natural light source is sunlight. It has high intensity, considers the length of light exposure according to the season, and distributes wavelengths appropriately.
However, it is not always possible to expose plants to sunlight, so purchased light sources are needed. The best light sources are high-quality grow panels, but their high cost makes them inaccessible to most small-scale growers. They are mostly used by professional nurseries or passionate collectors with extensive and demanding collections.
For general users, average LED lights, such as LED bulbs, LED strips, or other solutions, are perfectly sufficient. An alternative option is fluorescent lamps, though these are now less preferable as their price/performance ratio lags behind LEDs.
Light Intensity
From my perspective, the most important characteristic of light is its intensity. The unit of measurement is lux (lx). Unfortunately, this value cannot usually be determined for purchased lights. The easiest option for approximate measurement is using a mobile phone. You simply need to install a light measurement app (I personally have good experience with the PPFD Meter for Android). The accuracy of the measurement depends on the phone model, so the measured value should be taken as approximate, but for our purposes, it is sufficient.
Lighting requirements for individual plants
| Genus / Species | Light Intensity |
| Cephalotus | 15 000 – 25 000 lx |
| Dionaea | 15 000 – 25 000 lx |
| Drosera (most species) | 15 000 – 25 000 lx |
| Drosera adelae | 8 000 – 15 000 lx |
| Drosera prolifera | 8 000 – 15 000 lx |
| Drosera schizandra | 3 000 lx |
| Genlisea | 8 000 – 15 000 lx |
| Heliamfora | 15 000 – 25 000 lx |
| Nepenthes | 8 000 – 15 000 lx |
| Pinguicula | 8 000 – 15 000 lx |
| Sarracenia | 15 000 – 25 000 lx |
| Utricularia | 8 000 – 15 000 lx |
To give you an idea, here’s the light intensity in common conditions in our environment.
| Summer midday sun | 100 000 lx |
| Summer shade | 15 000 lx |
| Winter midday sun | 15 000 lx |
| Office | 1 000 lx |
| Recommended lighting for reading | 500 lx |
| Living rooms | 250 – 350 lx |
| Hallway | 70 lx |
Duration of lighting
Proper lighting for carnivorous plants isn’t only about intensity; it’s also about the duration of exposure. The ideal lighting duration varies depending on the species and the time of year. There’s a significant difference in lighting requirements for subtropical sundews, tuberous sundews, or Venus flytraps.
Non-dormant species typically thrive under a constant lighting duration throughout the year. Plants from subtropical and tropical zones flourish under light exposure of 12–16 hours daily. However, for more demanding species, flowering might require changes in lighting duration to reflect seasonal shifts (shortening toward winter and lengthening toward summer).
Dormant species benefit from adjusting lighting duration according to the season, as it helps regulate their preparation for various growth stages—active growth, dormancy preparation, dormancy, or recovery after winter (adequate temperature changes are also necessary). Natural daily light durations can also be achieved by supplementing sunlight with LED lights (e.g., from a north-facing window). If LED lights are used for, say, 4 hours, the sun can cover the remaining hours.
Species that require adjustments in lighting duration based on the season
| Cephalotus follicularis |
| Australian Pitcher Plant grows well and happily with a constant lighting duration throughout the year. However, if you want the plant to flower, it is necessary to adjust the length of the day in accordance with the seasons. |
| Dionaea muscipula |
| Venus flytraps require adjustments in lighting to properly prepare for dormancy. Additionally, these plants typically flower in spring. If exposed to a consistent lighting duration throughout the year, they would flower randomly (and inappropriately) all year round. |
| Drosera (pygmy sundews) |
| Pygmy sundews grow well and happily with a constant lighting duration throughout the year. However, some species require natural changes in day length according to the seasons in order to flower. |
| Drosera (winter-growing species) |
| Dormant sundews require changes in lighting to properly prepare for dormancy. With unsuitable lighting, plants may prematurely „fall asleep“ and, without changes in their conditions, may never emerge from dormancy again. |
| Pinguicula (Mexican) |
| Mexican butterworts thrive with a natural daily light cycle, which supports their flowering and preparation for the dry dormancy period. Matching the light duration to seasonal changes helps them transition smoothly through these phases. |
| Pinguicula (winter-growing species) |
| Dormant butterworts require changes in lighting to ensure proper preparation for dormancy. If the lighting is unsuitable, the plants may prematurely „fall asleep“ and, without changes in conditions, fail to awaken from dormancy again. Matching the light cycle and intensity to their natural seasonal rhythms is crucial for their health and growth. |
| Sarracenia |
| Sarracenia require adjustments in lighting to properly prepare for dormancy. Additionally, these plants typically flower in spring. If subjected to a consistent lighting duration throughout the year, they would flower randomly (and inappropriately) throughout the year, disrupting their natural growth cycles and potentially impacting their health. Matching the lighting duration to seasonal changes is crucial for their thriving. |