About Clever Carnivores

Bill Schwartz, Founder

Bill Schwartz's path into horticulture began with a small bonsai nestled in a chunk of pumice—a gift from his mother that sparked a lifelong fascination with plants. Moving through the typical trajectory of a young plant enthusiast, he eventually encountered his first carnivorous plants: the ubiquitous death cube venus flytraps that most growers have a story about killing. His story was no different.

Years later, while at university, a local nursery carrying a few pitcher plants and venus flytraps reignited that interest—and this time, he went deeper. What followed was a commitment to understanding these plants not just in cultivation, but in their native habitats.

Field Experience Across Continents

Bill has observed carnivorous plants in situ throughout the United States, Australia, Brazil, Papua New Guinea, various parts of Malaysian Borneo, and Indonesia. His work as a martial arts instructor provided the flexibility to combine teaching seminars with botanical expeditions, and along the way, he connected with authors, photographers, and researchers whose expertise deepened his understanding of genus-specific cultivation requirements and habitat conditions.

Nursery-Grown Stock in Upstate New York

Clever Carnivores operates from a unique facility: Bill's martial arts academy in upstate New York Clever Combat, which houses dedicated growing spaces for a diverse collection. The nursery focuses on quality over quantity, with established plants from major genera including Nepenthes, Drosera, Pinguicula, Heliamphora, Sarracenia, and Cephalotus, among others. All stock is nursery-propagated.

The collection includes both species plants and select cultivars, with attention to proper labeling and documented growing conditions. Show-quality specimens are available for collectors looking to add established plants to their collections.

Workshops and Growing Resources

Bill regularly hosts workshops and seminars covering species-specific cultivation, habitat replication, and troubleshooting common challenges. Whether you're starting your first collection or refining conditions for highland Nepenthes, the focus is on practical, field-informed growing strategies.

Stop by Our Shop

We’d love to welcome you! To make sure someone is here to help, we recommend booking an appointment. Schedule ahead to discuss your specific growing interests and see what's currently available by emailing contact@clevercarnivores.com. Our general showroom hours are listed below if you’d like to stop by and explore our collection.

Hours:

Monday : 3 pm - 7 pm

Tuesday & Thursday : 3 - 7 pm

Friday : 3 pm - 7 pm

Saturday : 11 am - 1 pm

Location:

Clever Combat

239 Old Maxwell Rd Building C

Latham, NY 12110