Cold-Hardy Sundews and Butterworts for High-Elevation Pest Control

A rancher at high elevation with cold winters wants carnivorous plants for organic gnat control in the garden, possibly in a greenhouse.

Hardy Species Exist, But Not for In-Ground Pest Control

Cold-hardy sundews: D. rotundifolia, D. anglica, D. intermedia, D. linearis, D. filiformis ssp. filiformis (form winter buds, tolerate freezing). Hardy butterworts: P. grandiflora (easiest, showy flowers), P. vulgaris, P. corsica. All need cold winter—no greenhouse.

Critical Limitations

CP require nutrient-poor, acidic peat mixes—regular garden soil kills them. They cannot be planted in ground beside vegetables. They are impractical for pest control; our nursery has thousands of CP and still has abundant flies/gnats. Grow them for fascination, not bug control.

For greenhouse gnat suppression, tropical sundews work well. See our care sheets and DVDs.