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The Savage Garden: Cultivating Carnivorous Plants
Just about everyone's familiar with the Venus flytrap...but did you know that there are pitcher plants that can-and do!-digest an entire rat? Or that there are several hundred species of carnivorous plants on our planet? Full-color photographs of the plants at work and play, plus everything you need to know to successfully grow your own Little Shop of Horrors.Awards1999 American Horticultural Society Book Award Winner ReviewsHow to get kids interested in gardening? The San Francisco Chronicle recommends The Savage Garden, "because there's nothing children like better than catching insects and feeding them to their houseplants."
336 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 1998
248 people are currently reading
643 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews
September 16, 2020
The author did a bang-up job through the research and personal knowledge that went into the creation of this marvelous handbook. Anything and everything that anyone would want to learn about the world of carnivorous plants is here for the taking. From beginning to end, sections are displayed according to specific groups. Well-written and easy to understand, the origins and properties of the individual plants are well-defined. Stunning illustrations and drawings further provided me with a close-up look at the amazing abundance of a unique class of plants found on every corner of our planet. With no hesitation, this book comes recommended to readers of all genres.
May 3, 2018
This is basically the Bible of carnivorous plants. The beginning section talks in general about how to grow and care for them. The bulk of the volume is a reference tome on the main genuses of carnivorous plants (sundews, venus flytraps, American pitcher plants, Asian pitcher plants, and a few others). Each type of plant is discussed in a general sense, followed by amazingly detailed listings of subtypes with descriptions and photos (and noting if anything about caring for that particular subspecies stands out from the norm), and finishing with a detailed care guide for the genus, including propagation methods.
The book isn't perfect. I'd have liked more detail on plant care and troubleshooting both in a general sense and for some of the more particular plants. Some of the species descriptions lack pictures to go with them (although the book has an absurd wealth of photos, honestly).
Some of this information is available online (most nurseries that sell online have at least some basic care information), and if you are just interested in, say, growing a single Venus flytrap, you don't necessarily need this book. But if you are interested in collecting and growing a variety of carnivorous plants, or just want to learn about the wide variety of species, this is a book you should own.
The book isn't perfect. I'd have liked more detail on plant care and troubleshooting both in a general sense and for some of the more particular plants. Some of the species descriptions lack pictures to go with them (although the book has an absurd wealth of photos, honestly).
Some of this information is available online (most nurseries that sell online have at least some basic care information), and if you are just interested in, say, growing a single Venus flytrap, you don't necessarily need this book. But if you are interested in collecting and growing a variety of carnivorous plants, or just want to learn about the wide variety of species, this is a book you should own.
July 15, 2020
If you only own 1 book on carniverous plants make it this one. Peter D'Amato is an engaging writer and he covers a wide range of plants. Cultivation notes are details and the book covers many variants with some lovely photos to boot!
July 12, 2013
D'Amato is an authority on carnivorous plants. His lifetime of research and study as well as his personal experiences during the heyday of CP identification and generation of cultivators gives this book an edge over any other CP book on the market. This book is tremendously accessible; the author works hard to emphasize that the study and understanding of these plants something any gardener can do.
May 13, 2018
I wish I had read this book BEFORE I got into carnivorous plants, it would have saved me quite a lot of headaches (and the lives of several plants).
February 6, 2025
This a must read for anyone growing or interested in carnivorous plants! Excellent info and descriptions, gorgeous photos, everything one could ask for!
June 7, 2023
I have brought 10 different species of Carnivorous Plants from Northern & Tropical Pitchers, Venus Fly Traps, 3 varieties of Butterworts and 4 varieties of Sundews to a happy healthy state of flowering (the vft I didn't allow to flower) thanks to the brilliant advice, layout, and text of this magnificent book!
May 26, 2024
For a plant nerd that impulsively acquired a Venus flytrap, this book was fascinating and a great introduction to the world of carnivorous plants. Peter D’Amato has a humorous and engaging way of getting readers excited to read about plants. This book made me want a whole collection of carnivorous plants for myself.
Horticulturists be warned: there are maybe 100 pages of semi-repetitive information on how to care for these plants at home. It’s a basic introduction for those getting started in carnivorous plants, but I would have liked more specific care information like optimal temperature ranges, recommended hours of sunlight, and specific lengths for dormancies.
The other 260-ish pages mostly describe species and cultivars within different groups of carnivorous plants. The pictures are great and the introductions to each group were well worth the read. However, a lot of the cultivar and species information was monotonous even for a plant nerd with a university background in botany.
I still recommend the book as it is a good introduction to caring for carnivorous plants (they’re incredibly different than the majority of plants we grow around the home), gives you a good sense of the kind of habitat most live in, and will open your eyes to the enormous diversity of carnivorous plants around the world.
Horticulturists be warned: there are maybe 100 pages of semi-repetitive information on how to care for these plants at home. It’s a basic introduction for those getting started in carnivorous plants, but I would have liked more specific care information like optimal temperature ranges, recommended hours of sunlight, and specific lengths for dormancies.
The other 260-ish pages mostly describe species and cultivars within different groups of carnivorous plants. The pictures are great and the introductions to each group were well worth the read. However, a lot of the cultivar and species information was monotonous even for a plant nerd with a university background in botany.
I still recommend the book as it is a good introduction to caring for carnivorous plants (they’re incredibly different than the majority of plants we grow around the home), gives you a good sense of the kind of habitat most live in, and will open your eyes to the enormous diversity of carnivorous plants around the world.
April 21, 2021
Ehhh
I'm a newer CP cultivator with decent success. The CP community is kinda snobbish in general. A bunch of rude people from most of the online forums shame newer CP folks for asking any questions or making honest mistakes or for downright learning. It`s wildly rude out there.
Anyway... THIS book is the book those chuds latch on to like some kind of weird badge of honor. I have seen people refer to others as not worthy of owning CPs unless they have studied this particular revised version of book in detail. I've personally been berated for asking specific advise on tray method watering temperatures by others for NOT CONSULTING THE BOOK FIRST (and if you are wondering they went out of their way to make it clear any audiobook versions didn't count). I've even seen grown adults debate merits if who is a better plant owner based on total read count of this book.
I do not like feeling left out and am curious in nature so I made sure to get around to reading this book... Do not fret it was a digital print version and not an audio version, thankfully.
Well, its a fine book. I did learn many cool things and it had beautiful photography. But its just not anywhere near as life changing as
it's made out to be. Its not organized particularly well and is a bit hard to follow. It also drones on repetitively with filler material. For someone trying to learn the basics it's a bit dense. For someone referencing its quite cryptic. For someone trying to enjoy the hobby it's quite dry. Perhaps for the self indulgent masturbatory CP owners it works.
I'm a newer CP cultivator with decent success. The CP community is kinda snobbish in general. A bunch of rude people from most of the online forums shame newer CP folks for asking any questions or making honest mistakes or for downright learning. It`s wildly rude out there.
Anyway... THIS book is the book those chuds latch on to like some kind of weird badge of honor. I have seen people refer to others as not worthy of owning CPs unless they have studied this particular revised version of book in detail. I've personally been berated for asking specific advise on tray method watering temperatures by others for NOT CONSULTING THE BOOK FIRST (and if you are wondering they went out of their way to make it clear any audiobook versions didn't count). I've even seen grown adults debate merits if who is a better plant owner based on total read count of this book.
I do not like feeling left out and am curious in nature so I made sure to get around to reading this book... Do not fret it was a digital print version and not an audio version, thankfully.
Well, its a fine book. I did learn many cool things and it had beautiful photography. But its just not anywhere near as life changing as
it's made out to be. Its not organized particularly well and is a bit hard to follow. It also drones on repetitively with filler material. For someone trying to learn the basics it's a bit dense. For someone referencing its quite cryptic. For someone trying to enjoy the hobby it's quite dry. Perhaps for the self indulgent masturbatory CP owners it works.
March 21, 2025
I wish we could get a 2025 revised version, but I know that's not likely. Anyway, though a little outdated in its absence of some of the newer discoveries in the last decade, Peter D'Amato still does a great job of laying out his experience and knowledge. If you like carnivorous plants, get this book.
October 9, 2024
Most plants cannot live in mineral-deficient soils, as there is a lack of even nitrogen. D'Amato writes: "Carnivorous plants have an answer to that survival dilemma. All around them are little moving packets of minerals and nutrients, like vitamin pills with legs and wings. We call them animals. All the plant has to do is catch them and somehow absorb through their leaves what they would normally take up through their roots. The development of leaves for such a purpose is what makes carnivorous plants so bizarre and beautiful."
Many CP (carnivorous plant) habitats around the world are similar: boggy areas with moving water that removes nutrients; and sunny due to the stunted trees. In one small boggy area of the pygmy forests near Fort Bragg on the Northern California coast, many carnivorous plants from around the world have been introduced and have been growing well.
Soils must be acidic which means that the alkaline perlite must be a minor part of any mixture for CP. Water must have a TDS of less than 160 ppm unless grown in a situation where they are flushed regularly. While almost all CP's grow in wet soils, the degree of that wetness varies from genus to genus. The vast majority of CP's are found in open, sunny habitats. Dormancy in carnivorous plants that require it must be respected and permitted to occur. Outdoors, some carnivores will catch such large quantities of insects that the result can be startling; indoors they can be hand-fed.
Part Two of the book goes into great detail about growing CP's outdoors, in bog gardens, on windowsills, in greenhouses and in terrariums.
Part Three of the book examines each genus, talks about the various species and hybrids, and provides detailed cultivation information, including the important issue of dormancy.
Darlingtonia (cobra lilies) do not secrete digestive enzymes, but rely on bacteria to break down their prey. The require cool summer nights, and are dormant during the winter.
Heliamphora (sun pitcher) has a surprising number of species - 24 - as they come from the tepui of South America where rains carry away many nutrients. Heliamorpha flowers have no petals but have evolved tepals, a structure midway between petals and sepals.
There are various types of Drosera (sundews) including the easy-to-grow Cape sundews, rosetted tropical sundews, temperate sundews that require dormancy, filiformis species, fork-leaved species, tropical sundews, the Three Sisters from Queensland, woolly sundews, etc. The tuberous sundews are notable as they have erect stems.
Drosophyllum (Dewy Pine) is unusual in that it lives in very dry ecosystems. It is not known how it is able to produce sticky glue when it lives in dry soils, has shallow roots and goes without rain for several months in the year.
Pinguilicas (butterworts) secrete a bactericide along with the digestive juices, a fact known to early farmers who used it for treating sores on cattle. These plants reach maximum diversity in Central and South America, with many new plants being found in recent years.
Uricularias (ladderworts) are the largest carnivorous genus, with over 200 species. While most are familiar with aquatic bladderworts, there are terrestrial bladderworts that are worth growing for their flowers.
Nepenthes (tropical pitcher plants) also form a large genus. About 30 percent are lowland. The plant initially forms a ground rosette which may take 5 - 10 years to mature, after which it grows a climbing stem. The basal and upper pitchers differ, the upper having more of a funnel shape and lacking the bristly wings on the front. Plants are male or female.
Many CP (carnivorous plant) habitats around the world are similar: boggy areas with moving water that removes nutrients; and sunny due to the stunted trees. In one small boggy area of the pygmy forests near Fort Bragg on the Northern California coast, many carnivorous plants from around the world have been introduced and have been growing well.
Soils must be acidic which means that the alkaline perlite must be a minor part of any mixture for CP. Water must have a TDS of less than 160 ppm unless grown in a situation where they are flushed regularly. While almost all CP's grow in wet soils, the degree of that wetness varies from genus to genus. The vast majority of CP's are found in open, sunny habitats. Dormancy in carnivorous plants that require it must be respected and permitted to occur. Outdoors, some carnivores will catch such large quantities of insects that the result can be startling; indoors they can be hand-fed.
Part Two of the book goes into great detail about growing CP's outdoors, in bog gardens, on windowsills, in greenhouses and in terrariums.
Part Three of the book examines each genus, talks about the various species and hybrids, and provides detailed cultivation information, including the important issue of dormancy.
Darlingtonia (cobra lilies) do not secrete digestive enzymes, but rely on bacteria to break down their prey. The require cool summer nights, and are dormant during the winter.
Heliamphora (sun pitcher) has a surprising number of species - 24 - as they come from the tepui of South America where rains carry away many nutrients. Heliamorpha flowers have no petals but have evolved tepals, a structure midway between petals and sepals.
There are various types of Drosera (sundews) including the easy-to-grow Cape sundews, rosetted tropical sundews, temperate sundews that require dormancy, filiformis species, fork-leaved species, tropical sundews, the Three Sisters from Queensland, woolly sundews, etc. The tuberous sundews are notable as they have erect stems.
Drosophyllum (Dewy Pine) is unusual in that it lives in very dry ecosystems. It is not known how it is able to produce sticky glue when it lives in dry soils, has shallow roots and goes without rain for several months in the year.
Pinguilicas (butterworts) secrete a bactericide along with the digestive juices, a fact known to early farmers who used it for treating sores on cattle. These plants reach maximum diversity in Central and South America, with many new plants being found in recent years.
Uricularias (ladderworts) are the largest carnivorous genus, with over 200 species. While most are familiar with aquatic bladderworts, there are terrestrial bladderworts that are worth growing for their flowers.
Nepenthes (tropical pitcher plants) also form a large genus. About 30 percent are lowland. The plant initially forms a ground rosette which may take 5 - 10 years to mature, after which it grows a climbing stem. The basal and upper pitchers differ, the upper having more of a funnel shape and lacking the bristly wings on the front. Plants are male or female.
September 4, 2024
A fantastic, in-depth, beautifully formatted and illustrated guide on carnivorous plants and their care that well-deserves its reputation in the community. Written in an entertaining and clear manner with plentiful information about the history, care, cultivation, and propagation of all sorts of plants, this book is perfect for anyone aspiring to create their own savage garden. Both the author's love for these plants and his in-depth personal experience comes through in the writing. Also, as someone who has grown up in the age of the internet and become used to combing through the plethora of misleading information available online, it's very refreshing to read the words of a tried-and-true expert.
My only potential wish is that there might be slightly more detail on certain aspects of care that were described with some vagueneness (for example, the ability of the cape sundew to survive up to 100 degrees Fahrenheit "for a short time" - as someone who currently lives in a location that is very frequently at that temperature, I would love to know if that short time is measured in hours or days) as well as more specificity on indoor light requirements (such as PPAR or lux), though this book having been written in the 90s and revised in 2013 understandably makes this information limited.
Regardless, these are both small quibbles. This was a fascinating, lovingly-written book that was not only very informational but a fun read and a feast for the eyes thanks to its many, MANY beautiful, full-color photos. Read this book at your own risk: it's going to make you want to collect more plants.
My only potential wish is that there might be slightly more detail on certain aspects of care that were described with some vagueneness (for example, the ability of the cape sundew to survive up to 100 degrees Fahrenheit "for a short time" - as someone who currently lives in a location that is very frequently at that temperature, I would love to know if that short time is measured in hours or days) as well as more specificity on indoor light requirements (such as PPAR or lux), though this book having been written in the 90s and revised in 2013 understandably makes this information limited.
Regardless, these are both small quibbles. This was a fascinating, lovingly-written book that was not only very informational but a fun read and a feast for the eyes thanks to its many, MANY beautiful, full-color photos. Read this book at your own risk: it's going to make you want to collect more plants.
June 2, 2022
When I first started researching houseplants, I was surprised when I came across an Etsy shop that was selling seeds for various pitcher plants. I hadn't realized that people cultivated and kept carnivorous plants as well and so I was very excited! I definitely wanted to eventually give it a go myself, but I didn't know where to start.
This book is by far one of the most in depth books on horticulture I've read thus far, and I think that's important considering carnivorous plants have such specific care requirements that it's extremely easy to kill them. For instance, I did not know about the water tray method of watering until I read this book, but that is the preferred method for keeping these plants. I didn't know that they couldn't have tap water until reading this book, but thank God I do now so I don't accidentally kill one with mineral build up and pH imbalance. Such an insightful book, definitely want my own copy for future reference.
This book is by far one of the most in depth books on horticulture I've read thus far, and I think that's important considering carnivorous plants have such specific care requirements that it's extremely easy to kill them. For instance, I did not know about the water tray method of watering until I read this book, but that is the preferred method for keeping these plants. I didn't know that they couldn't have tap water until reading this book, but thank God I do now so I don't accidentally kill one with mineral build up and pH imbalance. Such an insightful book, definitely want my own copy for future reference.
April 1, 2023
Brought this back to the library a long time ago, I don't initially remember exactly what I thought of it. Many books are like this, so I don't tend to try and catalogue them in a book indexing service. It might be more helpful to other readers if I took more time for each though. I suppose, if someone took the time to write the book, it'd be best to take the time to write an individual book review. Well, let me try to think about this one specifically. I think I liked it but I don't remember too many concrete details.
I think it helped me start to differentiate between the various types of plant that eat flesh. There are a few of them, and only a couple can live in my climate, which is what they might call "humid subtropical..."
Maybe I'll try again later, after I feel better from falling down the stairs...
I think it helped me start to differentiate between the various types of plant that eat flesh. There are a few of them, and only a couple can live in my climate, which is what they might call "humid subtropical..."
Maybe I'll try again later, after I feel better from falling down the stairs...
January 2, 2025
part one and two were so incredibly detailed and informative! I learned so much and I’m excited to create a mini bog container garden this spring.
part three was one that I skimmed through, I don’t think it’s necessary to go into the depth of all the species subspecies varieties and cultivars, but the overarching descriptions of the species were very useful!
highlight of this read was making connections between the ecological limitations discussed here with similar issues discussed in “the making of environmental law”
“but the plant flowers first, before any pitchers open. They wouldn’t want to eat their pollinators!”
“the suppression of naturally occurring fires can eventually choke out the pitcher plants with the spread of brush and trees”
“with hundreds of random, accidental mutations occurring in tissue-cultured flytraps, none has improved on the naturally evolved design”
part three was one that I skimmed through, I don’t think it’s necessary to go into the depth of all the species subspecies varieties and cultivars, but the overarching descriptions of the species were very useful!
highlight of this read was making connections between the ecological limitations discussed here with similar issues discussed in “the making of environmental law”
“but the plant flowers first, before any pitchers open. They wouldn’t want to eat their pollinators!”
“the suppression of naturally occurring fires can eventually choke out the pitcher plants with the spread of brush and trees”
“with hundreds of random, accidental mutations occurring in tissue-cultured flytraps, none has improved on the naturally evolved design”
December 28, 2018
Read the 2013 revised edition.
This book richly deserves every award it won! It is strikingly beautiful, full of historical, fictional, and filmic references, offers growing and propagation tips on all CPs I know (and many that I didn't know). It's still the gold standard in CP care. It's also just a really good, fun read, and appropriately concerned with the science as well as the culture and lore of CPs. A handbook that is both useful and an interesting side table book to freak out your friends and relatives!
One small suggestion might be to add more precise lighting requirements for CPs grown indoors/in tanks. Offering a footcandle/lux rating for a certain number of hours per day (like many orchid books do) would eliminate sometimes disastrous experimentation.
LOVED this book!
This book richly deserves every award it won! It is strikingly beautiful, full of historical, fictional, and filmic references, offers growing and propagation tips on all CPs I know (and many that I didn't know). It's still the gold standard in CP care. It's also just a really good, fun read, and appropriately concerned with the science as well as the culture and lore of CPs. A handbook that is both useful and an interesting side table book to freak out your friends and relatives!
One small suggestion might be to add more precise lighting requirements for CPs grown indoors/in tanks. Offering a footcandle/lux rating for a certain number of hours per day (like many orchid books do) would eliminate sometimes disastrous experimentation.
LOVED this book!
August 20, 2018
Още една, този път даже още по-отлична книга за отглеждането на насекомоядни растения. Авторът, за разлика от Найджъл Купър не е пюрист и не се отнася негативно към използването на изкуствени торове. Също така, като цяло дава по-подробна информация за отглеждането, изискванията и т.н. на всеки отделен вид.
January 25, 2022
Picked this up on a whim as I was perusing a local bookstore garden section. Fascinating read that has a LOT of data about various carnivorous plants, but may go too in detail on various species within each genus (including cultivars and hybrids) for a person with no passions for botany. The author isn’t too optimistic about amateurs growing these plants in their homes for fun either, which may be good to know.
January 25, 2020
This was a very interesting book and I'm certain it would be helpful for the budding carnivorous plant grower. I didn't read this for that purpose and began to skim the more technical sections. There may be better introductory books; I chose this one based on the author (in addition to winning awards for this book, D'Amato runs California Carnivores the largest nursery dedicated to these plants). I liked getting a picture of how wide and varied the world of carnivorous plants extends. In fact as I was reading it, one gentleman had thought they were the thing of Science Fiction and we had a nice chat about them. I recommend the book to anyone interested in carnivorous plants and especially to anyone aiming to grow them. Finally, I recommend a visit to D'Amato's nursery which is fascinating and, if I'm truly honest, a little creepy (but in a good way).
July 27, 2019
Bardzo dobra książka w tym temacie. Z jednej strony cieszę się, że przeczytałem ją po Growing Carnivorus Plants, bo tamta była nieco prostsza i lepszą na wstęp, z drugiej ta jest lepiej poszeregowana i zilustrowana - choć ciągle mogłoby być lepiej, bardziej kompletnie przy opisie odmian itp.
April 14, 2021
Very informative both in how the author got started and in each particular species legal to own in the USA regarding care and treatment. I’d recommend this amongst other carnivorous plant societies to whom this is their bible.
February 4, 2025
Extremely helpful information in this book. I took it out of the library, and now am waiting for my own copy to come in the mail. I definitely recommend for any carnivorous plant owner. It’s worth the purchase, I will be referring to it all year with my plants
October 27, 2019
Very informative with all types of carnivorous plants. Broken up well and should be used as a reference to start cultivation or to be informed of the differences in species.
January 23, 2020
A really great resource on carnivorous plants
April 18, 2020
Great book for learning about carnivorous plants!
June 26, 2020
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This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 8, 2020
Great book, I learned a lot about a cool new hobby
October 15, 2020
A great resource! I want to start a bog garden next year, now I feel more confident of success.
November 4, 2020
Comprehensive guide to carnivorous plants. Wealth of knowledge I'm applying as a beginner carnivorous plant owner. A bit scientific/dry at times with some humorous tid bits.
May 13, 2021
My pandemic hobbies are getting out of hand
Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews