Question
I am putting together a terrarium in a 175 gallon aquarium.  I would like to have all, or as many different varieties of carnivorous plants as possible. I am planning the basic landscape and hope to add frogs once the environment is stable.  Could you give me some suggestions on what plants you might think I should include?  Thank you so much.  Bruce Morrison

Answer
Hi Bruce,

Because the vast majority of carnivorous plants are full-partial sun plants, I'm afraid the list for a frog tank is going to be small.  Also, if you're going to put soil in the bottom and plant the tank, you'll need to create a media that different species can tolerate.  Equal parts long-fiber sphagnum moss to half perlite would work.

Here's the species I would recommend:

Drosera adelae (Lance-leaf sundew)
Drosera prolifera (Queensland or Hen and Chicks sundew)
Mexican Butterworts (Pinguicula species)
Nepenthes ampullaria (Asian Pitcher Plant)
Nepenthes ventricosa  (Asian Pitcher Plant)
Nepenthes sibuyanensis (Asian Pitcher Plant)
Nepenthes gymnaphora (Asian Pitcher Plant)
Tropical Bladderworts (Utricularia species)(These can be invasive)

Several other Nepenthes species would be more low-light tolerant also, but their size and rapid growth might be a deterrent.

The single most important factor is success with carnivorous plants is the lighting.  You didn't mention how the terrarium would be lighted, but you should choose a source that is as bright as the frogs can tolerate.

Good Growing!

Jeff Dallas
Sarracenia Northwest
http://www.cobraplant.com