I think pitcher plants look pretty cool and I was wondering if they can survive on just rich soil or if they also need bugs. I plan on having a big garden full of them and other carniverous.
They need very acidic, low nutrient soils to survive. Plant one in ordinary rich soil and it'll rot away. If you do have the right soil, it'll do OK; it'll get all the insects it needs from the ones that are flying around anyway.
http://www.thegardenhelper.com/carnivorous.html According to this source, probably not, since in their native habitat the soil is extremely acidic and nearly void of nutrients. Therefore, it may be that their roots are not very efficient at nutrient uptake.
I grow mine in sphagnum moss. In nature they grow in bogs and insects supplement the nutrients. But people grow them in closed terrariums, but not in rich soil Ed
