9. Venus Flytrap

Hardly any carnivorous plant is probably as popular as the Venus flytrap. The unusual plant has fascinated people since time immemorial and provided the basis for many a horror story. But don’t worry—the Venus flytrap only eats small insects.

In fact, not only does this houseplant look decorative, but it’s also the ideal mosquito catcher. While it may be tempting to touch its leaves, you may not want to do that; since each trap flap usually only closes six times before it dies, you should avoid annoying the plant.

Venus flytraps need direct sunlight to thrive. If you’re growing yours indoors, make sure you keep the pot on a bright, sunny windowsill—preferably south-facing. They prefer to grow in wet (but not completely waterlogged) soil. During the winter, they need less water, so the soil should be kept just damp.