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What water should I use for my plant?

• To keep your plant healthy, we recommend distilled or reverse osmosis water, available at your local grocery store.

• Tap, well, mineral, spring, and common brands of bottled water may have additives or minerals that can damage or kill your plant. Note: boiling or leaving water out to sit overnight will not remove minerals from the water.

What about rain water?

• Rain water is an excellent option for carnivorous plants. An easy way to collect rainwater is to set a clean bucket outside away from trees and runoff from buildings.

• Caution should be used to make sure minerals are not introduced through the collection process, like leaf debris in gutters or chemical runoff that is leached from roofing materials like shingles.

Can I use a home countertop filter to remove unwanted minerals from my tap water?

• Most home counter top or refrigerator filters do not remove enough dissolved solids to make the water safe for your plant.

• ZeroWater filters are the only brand of counter top filter that we are aware of that will remove all dissolved solids.

Why does it matter what water I use for my carnivorous plant?

• Carnivorous plants grow in nutrient-poor environments. Over time they developed the ability to catch, digest, and absorb the nutrients they need from bugs, small reptiles, amphibians, and rodents through their leaves. Because of this adaptation, they are highly sensitive to water high in minerals and other dissolved solids. Dissolved solids include salts, metals, and minerals that are dissolved in water.

• Water with a pH level that is too high or low, or has too many dissolved solids can cause root rot.

• The water we drink has many minerals and chemicals that we need and enjoy but could damage or kill carnivorous plants.

What pH level is best for pinguicula?

• Pinguicula prefer pH levels between 7-8. Most municipal drinking water falls within this range.

• If you think your water might be outside the preferred range, you can use pH test strips to check the pH of your water.

How do I know if my water has too many dissolved solids?

• Most tap, well, mineral, spring, and common brands of bottled water has more dissolved solids than your carnivorous plant wants.

• Presence of dissolved solids is described as "total dissolved solids" (t.d.s.) and can be measured in parts per million (p.p.m.) with a "TDS meter." TDS meters can be inserted into water and measure how many total dissolved solids are in your water. TDS meters are typically in-expensive and can be purchased at your local hardware store, pool store, or online.

How many dissolved solids are safe for pinguicula?

• For pinguicula, the fewer dissolved solids the better. We recommend using water with as close to zero t.d.s. as possible.

Can the t.d.s. levels change after I water my plant?

• Yes! Over time, any minerals in the water can build up in the planting medium, rocks, and trays. It is a good idea to regularly wash trays and rinse rocks with mineral free water to keep t.d.s. levels low.

What if I need a lot of water?

• If you have a large collection of plants that require more water than you want to buy at the store, a ZeroWater filter can easily provide several gallons per week. If you need more than that, a reverse osmosis (R.O.) system can provide many gallons per day.

Can I use any rock for my rock garden?

• Sadly, no. We recommend using volcanic rocks like pumice, scoria, or lava rock. These rocks will wick water to your plant but not leach harmful minerals.

Why is there a hole in my rock?

• We drilled a hole into your rock and added a growing medium that will help maintain adequate moisture and air to the roots of your plant. The medium aids in wicking water to your plant in the event your rock is having issues wicking water.

Why is moss growing on my rock?

• Moss spores in the air may find your rock and start to grow. Not only can moss add to the beauty of your rock garden but it can also aid in wicking moisture to your plant and reduce mold and algae growth! Moss is not harmful unless it starts to crowd your plant. Unwanted or overgrown moss can be removed with tweezers.

Why is mold or algae growing on my rock?

• Mold and algae can try to call your rock garden home if your rock does not receive enough light or air flow. While unsightly, it will not hurt your plant.

• To remove mold or algae, dampen a clean lint-free cloth with rubbing alcohol and gently wipe the affected areas, then rinse the rock with distilled or reverse osmosis water.

• Washing your tray or pot regularly will help eliminate algae growth.

What medium is used in my rock garden?

• We use a mixture of peat moss and perlite specifically for our rock gardens. The peat moss helps maintain moisture levels and perlite provides pockets for air. This is different than garden and potting soils.

How often should I “re-pot” my pinguicula?

• Once every two years we recommend that you remove the old medium and replace it with a mix of two parts peat moss to one part perlite.

• You do not need to up-pot your plant by increasing either the size of the rock or the hole.

What mediums can I use?

• Pinguicula are regularly grown in varying mixtures of peat moss, perlite, vermiculite, and sand.

• It is important to choose mediums that will hold enough water, allow for air flow, and are low in minerals.

• When choosing which growing mediums to buy, be sure no fertilizers are added.

Can I grow my pinguicula in potting soil?

• No. Pinguicula require a low mineral and nutrient growing medium. Potting soil has many nutrients and is not a good medium in which to grow your plant.

Are there other growing mediums that I can use for my pinguicula?

• At the moment, no. However, there is currently research into using other growing mediums for carnivorous plants. Unfortunately harvesting peat moss can be damaging to our planet and is not sustainable. Coco coir is the most promising option and research is being done to identify ways to eliminate naturally occurring salts from the coir. We are hopeful that this research will prove successful and provide a more sustainable alternative to peat moss for carnivorous plants and other potting soils moving forward.

What bugs does my pinguicula enjoy?

• The sticky dew on pinguicula leaves attracts fungus gnats, fruit flies, and other small bugs that provide the nutrients your plant needs.

• You do not need to feed or fertilize your ping.

• While pinguicula are excellent fruit fly catchers, they struggle with larger bugs, especially anything with a hard shell like a beetle.

• Do not give your plant anything they cannot catch themselves such as meat, gummy worms, fingers, or pets.