A carnivorous plant that feeds on insects rather than soil nutrients, the Venus fly trap demands high humidity, distilled water, and dormancy in winter—not a casual houseplant choice. If you're drawn to the unusual and willing to meet its needs, the payoff is watching those hinged traps snap shut on live prey.

Grow it in a humid terrarium or under a clear dome, keep the soil moist with rainwater or distilled water only, and expect a dormant period of several months in cold. Available here in spring and fall, when conditions for establishing new plants are most forgiving.