Carnivorous plants have gone from being a laboratory oddity to a major educational attraction. Their ability to attract, capture, and digest small organisms continues to spark curiosity, and now they are back in the spotlight thanks to an event that brings together a very extensive collection in one place.
The José Celestino Mutis Botanical Garden in Bogotá is organizing the 7th Carnivorous Plant Exhibition, "Get Caught!" , a show taking place from October 1st to 4th, 2026, and designed for visitors of all ages. The exhibition combines observation, science, and hands-on activities, aiming to introduce the public to the mechanisms these species have developed to survive in nutrient-poor environments. Although the event is being held in Bogotá, its scientific and educational approach is of interest to enthusiasts in Spain and the rest of Europe.
More than a thousand specimens and six rare species
The exhibition will bring together more than 1.000 specimens from different genera and species. Among the most recognizable names will be Dionaea, Nepenthes , Sarracenia, and Drosera, four groups that allow visitors to see very different ways of capturing prey. The idea is not only to observe the plants, but to understand how their traps work, what adaptations they have developed, and how they interact with other organisms in their environment.
One of the highlights of this year's event will be the presence of six exceptionally rare species , designed to showcase little-known carnivorous plants and less common forms of carnivory. Visitors will be able to encounter specimens such as:
- Stylidium, known as trigger plants.
- Genlisea, called corkscrew plants.
- Brocchinia, a carnivorous bromeliad associated with the tepuis.
- Catopsis, an epiphytic bromeliad considered to be possibly carnivorous.
- Aldrovanda, known as a water wheel.
- Triantha occidentalis, also called false asphodel.
This selection helps to dispel the simplistic notion that all carnivorous plants hunt the same way. Evolution has given rise to sticky, pitfall, suction, and snap traps , each suited to different needs and habitats. Viewing them together allows us to compare their strategies and understand why prey capture has become, in some cases, a decisive advantage.
Four spaces to understand how they capture and digest
The exhibition is organized into four distinct areas . The Educational Dome will explain the main trapping mechanisms, with examples of pitfall, sticky, suction, and snap traps. This is the ideal space for those who want to start with the basics and understand what carnivorous plants are and how a leaf can be transformed into an effective trap.
The Environmental Classroom will be dedicated to species that use adhesive mechanisms , such as sundews. It will demonstrate how small organisms become trapped on sticky surfaces and how the plant then obtains the nutrients it needs. It is one of the easiest forms of carnivory to observe and, at the same time, one of the most surprising for the general public.
At Biodiversario, the focus will be on the ecological relationships between carnivorous plants and other organisms in their ecosystems. The role of prey capture in their survival will also be addressed, a key aspect for understanding why these species thrive in poor soils where other plants would have a much harder time.
The Herb Dome will host a photographic exhibition and a display of the work of the Scientific Sub-Directorate. Information will be available on research, propagation, and conservation, including in vitro cultivation. This section reveals that behind the allure of carnivorous plants lies a significant technical effort to conserve species and study their biology.
Agenda: workshops, talks, art and plant sales
The exhibition is accompanied by a Cultural and Academic Program of 39 activities . The program includes themed tours, talks with specialists, workshops, and experiences for diverse audiences. Topics range from the reproduction and cultivation of carnivorous plants to their care, pests, substrates, conservation, and survival strategies.
There will also be activities designed for children and families . These include workshops in illustration, watercolor painting, origami, embroidery, modeling, and art construction. The idea is that learning goes beyond mere observation, allowing participants to experiment and create based on what they see.
Art will play a significant role in the exhibition. Monumental sculptures , macro photography, illustrations, and various performing arts and musical activities are planned. The program includes concerts, theater, and educational experiences, as well as talks on the presence of carnivorous plants in culture and their contemporary landscape value.
The talks and workshops section includes sessions on carnivorous plants, photography, small spaces, propagation, conservation, cultivation, carnivorous plant pests , substrates, and survival strategies. Activities such as biomodeling, paper carnivorous plants, a carnivorous plant ladder, mosaics, embroidery, and origami have also been announced. Music and theater round out the program with concerts by the Javier de Nicoló Conservatory, the Ixora Quartet, and the Philharmonic Duo al Barrio, as well as the play 'Act for Four Characters and a Planet'.
For those who would like to take a plant home, the event will feature a sale and exhibition of carnivorous plants , staffed by nursery workers from the Botanical Garden. It's an opportunity to see specimens up close that aren't usually found in stores and to receive guidance on their basic care.
The event will take place at the José Celestino Mutis Botanical Garden in Bogotá, from 9:00 a.m. to 17:00 p.m. during the exhibition. Admission includes entry to the Tropicarium, one of the garden's most popular exhibits, and the event is open to residents and tourists who want to learn about biodiversity from an educational perspective.
With over a thousand specimens, six rare species, four themed areas, and a program of 39 activities, the 7th Carnivorous Plant Exhibition, "Get Caught!" , is one of the most comprehensive events for understanding how these plants hunt, adapt, and survive. The exhibition combines science, education, and entertainment in a single experience, while emphasizing the importance of conservation and botanical knowledge.
