💬 We’re blessed with loads of sunshine here in South Africa, which makes growing sticky glue trap carnivorous plants like sundews (Drosera) and butterworts (Pinguicula) an absolute joy. These little bug-munchers have a built-in superpower - their leaves are covered in sweet, sticky droplets that lure and trap tiny insects. And here’s the cool part: you can help them catch free food using something you likely already have - light!
How Do Sticky Traps Work?
Those sparkling “dew” drops on a sundew aren’t water - they’re sticky glue droplets that trap unsuspecting insects. Once a bug lands, it gets stuck and the nearby tentacles slowly bend inwards to secure it while the plant digests the meal over a few days. Butterworts work in a similar way, using smooth, sticky leaves instead of tentacles. Because carnivorous plants grow in nutrient-poor soils, they “eat” insects to get the minerals they can’t find at their roots. No fertiliser needed – nature did the engineering for us.
The Free Food Trick (One of my Favourite Hacks!)
When the sun goes down, artificial lights turn into mega bug magnets. Patio lights, desk lamps and gentle grow lights attract moths, gnats and midges (ja, dis muggies!) - and even the occasional mosquito - at night. If your sundews or butterworts are nearby, those visitors “accidentally” become dinner. It’s effortless, free and works while you sleep. ✨
The Double Benefit of Light
Here’s the best part - while your lights are helping your plants score free food, they’re also helping them grow better and look even stickier. The more light your sundews and butterworts receive, the healthier and dewier they become. Strong light encourages sundews to produce extra dew and richer colour, while butterworts form firmer, glossier (and often colourful) leaves that lure and trap insects more effectively. So it’s a true win-win: better growth and free snacks, all thanks to a simple light setup. 🌞🌿
Where to Place Your Plants for Best Results
- Outdoors / Patio: Keep plants close to a patio or porch light. In summer, they’ll often catch enough naturally even without the light boost.
- Indoors / Windowsill: Place them within the glow of a warm-toned LED or gentle plant light - (even a desklamp with a a daylight CFL globe). They don’t need a spotlight - they just need be in the “catch zone.”
- Terrariums: If your terrarium has lights, that gentle glow can also attract a few tiny flyers. For closed setups, open the lid slightly in the evenings every now and then to let some in - your plants will happily take care of the rest. (There’s a bit more to balance in closed systems, but we’ll save that for another post 😉)
Quick Setup Tips
- Use warm or neutral white lighting in the evening - harsh, icy-white spotlights aren’t necessary.
- Keep leaves clean and visible (wiped glass, no dust) so insects land on the plant, not the surroundings.
- If you’re indoors, every now and then leave a window slightly open for an hour after dusk to invite natural “guests.”
Do’s & Don’ts (Important!)
- Do let the plants hunt for themselves - that’s their job and they’re brilliant at it.
- Do give your plants as much direct light and fresh air as possible - strong light keeps them happy and traps sticky, while good airflow prevents disease and mould
- Do keep trays topped up with purified (low-mineral) water (rain/RO) to keep roots healthy and leaves dewy.
- Don’t fertilise or smear food onto leaves - it can burn or rot the plant.
- Don’t overload them with dead bugs - overfeeding can trigger mould and stress.
- Don’t switch lights on and off constantly at night - a simple evening routine is enough to draw a few snacks.
Bonus: A Tiny “Bug Buffet” Trick
Want to gently increase traffic indoors? Every so often, place a small bowl of water or a piece of overripe fruit a short distance from your plants (not touching leaves). It attracts a few harmless gnats - just enough for a treat, not a swarm.
Wrap-Up
That’s the whole hack: let your evening lights do the inviting and your sticky traps will handle the rest. Free food, zero effort and your plants will reward you with glossy leaves, colour and steady new growth. Sometimes the best “feeding routine” is simply letting nature (with a tiny nudge from your lights) do the work. 🌙💚
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