Roridula, also called the fly catcher bush or bug bush, is one of the strangest plants in the carnivorous plant world. It's a woody, shrubby plant from South Africa, covered in long, sticky leaves that catch insects like flypaper. But here's the twist: Roridula can't actually digest the bugs it catches. Instead, it teams up with tiny bugs that live on the plant and do the work for it. This guide covers how that works and how to grow one, in plain language.
Quick care summary
- Light: Full sun or a strong grow light on 14–16 hours a day.
- Water: Distilled, rain or reverse osmosis (RO) water, or any water with a TDS under 100. Use the tray method, but let the tray dry out for a day before refilling.
- Soil: Equal parts peat, perlite and sand.
- Temperature: A minimum of 40°F.
- Winter: No winter rest needed.
- Fertilizer: Roridula benefits from some fertilizer: a diluted MaxSea foliar spray, plus some Osmocote or Nutricote pellets in the soil (more below).
How Roridula catches bugs (with a little help)
Roridula is protocarnivorous, which means it catches insects but can't digest them on its own. Its leaves are covered in sticky resin that traps flies and other bugs. That's where its partners come in: small bugs called Pameridea roridulae (often called assassin bugs) live on the plant and can walk across the sticky leaves without getting stuck. They eat the trapped insects, and their droppings land on the leaves, where the plant absorbs the nutrients. The plant feeds the bugs, and the bugs feed the plant. (The other Roridula species, R. dentata, has its own partner, Pameridea marlothii.)
Because Roridula gets its nutrients this way, rather than digesting prey itself, it benefits from some fertilizer.
Light
Roridula likes full sun. Outdoors, give it a sunny spot. Indoors, use a strong grow light. A windowsill alone is usually too dim.
Growing Roridula under grow lights
Run your grow light about 14–16 hours a day, and keep it fairly close to the plant. Which light should you get? For most people, I suggest Barrina T8 shelf lights or Sansi grow lights. They're affordable and give plenty of light for a shelf of plants. Bigger brands like Mars Hydro and Spider Farmer work too, but they're way more powerful than most home growers need, so they're usually a waste of money unless you're lighting a large area. For more detail, see our guide to lighting for carnivorous plants.
Water: the wet-dry tray method
Tap water and bottled drinking water contain minerals that build up and harm these plants. Use only:
- Distilled water (cheap at most grocery stores)
- Rainwater
- Reverse osmosis (RO) water
Any water with a TDS reading under 100 is fine too.
Roridula likes a slightly different tray routine than most carnivorous plants:
- Set the pot in a tray of water.
- Let the water dry up.
- Leave the tray dry for a day.
- Refill it, and repeat.
Soil
Use equal parts peat, perlite and sand. Never use regular potting soil or garden soil.
Fertilizer
Since Roridula relies on its bug partners rather than digesting prey, it benefits from some fertilizer.
A foliar spray of MaxSea 16-16-16 works well, diluted to 1/4–1/2 strength and sprayed every other week or so. Get a small amount of MaxSea in our shop, or a full-size bag on Amazon.
You can also add some Osmocote or Nutricote pellets to the soil. Not too many. Get a small amount of Osmocote in our shop or a full-size bag on Amazon, or Nutricote in our shop or on Amazon.
Temperature
Keep Roridula at a minimum of 40°F.
Winter
Roridula doesn't need a winter rest. Keep giving it plenty of light and stick to the same watering routine all year.
Ordering in the cold months? Add a shipping heat pack to help protect your plant in transit.
Common problems
Why is my Roridula leggy or less sticky?
Usually not enough light. Move it into more sun or closer to its grow light.
Why are the leaves turning brown?
Check for tap water, soil that stays soggy without ever drying, or cold below 40°F, and fix whichever applies.
My plant doesn't have any assassin bugs. Is that a problem?
No. Plants grown at home usually don't have them. That's one reason Roridula benefits from some fertilizer.
Choosing a Roridula
We grow Roridula gorgonias. You'll find it in our Roridula collection.
Every plant ships potted and ready to grow. Small sizes ship in a 2.5" pot, and larger plants may ship in a bigger pot. During cold months, add a shipping heat pack to help protect your plant in transit.
Roridula care FAQ
Is Roridula carnivorous?
It's protocarnivorous. It catches bugs with sticky resin but can't digest them. Small bugs called Pameridea roridulae (often called assassin bugs) live on the plant and eat the catch, and the plant absorbs nutrients from their droppings.
Does Roridula need fertilizer?
It benefits from some. A diluted MaxSea foliar spray every other week or so works well, and you can add some Osmocote or Nutricote pellets to the soil (not too many). See the Fertilizer section above.
Can Roridula sit in water all the time?
Not quite. Let the tray dry up, leave it dry for a day, then refill.
Does Roridula go dormant?
No. It doesn't need a winter rest.
Can I use tap water?
No. Use distilled, rain or RO water, or any water with a TDS under 100.