Question
Hi -- I'd like to get my daughter's second grade teacher a fun (?) carnivorous plant for Christmas.  We're in Madison, WI (Zone 4). I'm thinking they'd put the plant in the classroom window.  They're not that patient, so probably would want a plant vs. a seed. Do you have a recommendation?

Answer
Hi Melissa,

The best plants for your daughter's teacher would be tropical carnivorous plants.  These plants grow very well in a sunny south or west window.  Avoid getting temperate plants (US native species) because they need to experience the seasons to thrive.  Tropical plants can be kept at warm temperatures throughout the year, and they don't need winter dormancy.

Avoid getting seeds because some seeds take an incredibly long time to germinate (up to six months).  Seedlings are also very temperamental and are often prone to fungal infections.  Start off with established adult plants.  

The easiest species for first-time growers are:
Nepenthes truncata
Nepenthes sanguinea
Nepenthes ventricosa
Nepenthes copelandii
Drosera spatulata
Drosera adelae
Drosera capensis

You can find a list of tropical carnivorous plants at:
http://www.cobraplant.com/3-tropicalplants.html

Good growing!
Jacob Farin