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By Tom Bennet
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For over two decades, I’ve immersed myself in the fascinating world of carnivorous plants, cultivating a diverse collection. My journey began at the age of ten with a single Venus flytrap, and it has since blossomed into a greenhouse brimming with these captivating carnivores. The Venus flytrap, Dionaea muscipula, undoubtedly reigns supreme as the most iconic carnivorous plant. For many plant enthusiasts, it serves as an irresistible introduction to this unique botanical realm. Charles Darwin himself lauded it as “one of the most wonderful plants in the world,” a sentiment echoed by anyone who has witnessed the mesmerizing snap of a healthy trap ensnaring an unsuspecting insect.
Venus flytraps are masters of deception, luring prey with the promise of sweet nectar. Their ingenious trapping mechanism is triggered by touch: a double tap on a trigger hair, or the activation of two hairs in rapid succession, unleashes an electrical charge that slams the trap shut. Interlocking teeth create a formidable cage, and the trapped insect’s struggles only tighten the seal. Digestive enzymes then work their magic, dissolving the prey’s soft tissues into a nutrient-rich broth that the plant reabsorbs. After approximately a week, the trap reopens, leaving behind the exoskeleton as a lure for its next meal.
Despite their intriguing nature, Venus flytraps are often mistakenly labeled as challenging to cultivate. However, with the right knowledge and care, growing Venus fly traps can be a rewarding experience. This comprehensive guide will dispel that myth and equip you with the essential steps to nurture thriving, robust specimens of this extraordinary plant.
Let’s embark on this exciting journey of How To Grow Venus Fly Traps successfully!
1. Unveiling the Origins of Venus Fly Traps
Contrary to popular imagination, Venus fly traps are not extraterrestrial beings from Venus! Their origin story is deeply rooted in a specific terrestrial location.
The Venus flytrap, scientifically known as Dionaea muscipula, is a monotypic species, meaning it is the sole member of its genus. Its native habitat is remarkably restricted, confined to the coastal bogs of North and South Carolina in the United States. Sadly, habitat destruction has significantly threatened their wild populations, leading to their presumed extinction in several counties within their native range. While some well-meaning horticultural efforts have introduced Venus flytraps to new regions in so-called ‘exotic’ populations, these interventions are generally considered misguided and potentially more detrimental than beneficial to the plant’s overall conservation.
It’s crucial to remember that collecting Venus flytraps from their natural habitat is illegal. To acquire these fascinating plants ethically and sustainably, it is essential to purchase them from reputable nurseries. (Refer to section #8. Where Can I Buy a Venus Flytrap? for recommended sources).
[Map of Venus Flytrap native range will be inserted here if possible, otherwise, omit]
2. Ideal Growing Locations for Venus Fly Traps
Sunlight is the lifeblood of Venus fly traps. To ensure robust and vibrant growth, direct sunlight is paramount. If you plan to grow your Venus flytrap indoors, select a location that receives ample sunlight, ideally a south-facing windowsill if you are in the Northern Hemisphere. Insufficient light will manifest as weak, elongated, and pale leaves, compromising the plant’s health. A telltale sign that your Venus flytrap is receiving adequate sunlight is the development of red coloration inside its traps.
While Venus flytraps don’t strictly require terrariums, they can thrive in these enclosed environments, which often offer higher humidity levels. If you choose terrarium cultivation, remember to respect their winter dormancy needs (discussed in #4. Winter Dormancy) and provide sufficient lighting. Artificial lighting can be highly effective, particularly high-output fluorescent grow lights like T5s.
Venus fly traps flourish in conservatories and unheated greenhouses. Their native Carolinian climate experiences temperatures ranging from highs of 86°F (30°C) in summer to below freezing in winter (32°F/0°C). This adaptability makes them well-suited to many temperate climates, including the UK and a significant portion of the US, provided they are sheltered from harsh weather extremes.
It’s worth noting that Venus flytraps exhibit seasonal leaf variation. Leaves produced during spring and autumn tend to be low-growing with heart-shaped petioles (leaf stalks), while summer leaves are typically taller with narrow, elongated petioles. This is a natural growth pattern and not a cause for concern.
3. Mastering Soil and Water Requirements for Venus Fly Traps
The cornerstone of successful Venus flytrap cultivation lies in providing the correct soil and water conditions.
The classic soil mixture for Venus flytraps consists of sphagnum peat moss combined with lime-free horticultural sand or perlite, in a ratio of approximately 2:1. This blend provides the necessary acidity and drainage that these plants crave. For convenience, ready-made Venus flytrap soil mixes are available from specialist suppliers such as Hampshire Carnivorous Plants in the UK and California Carnivores in the US. Alternatively, a suitable compost mix can be sourced on Amazon for worldwide delivery.
An eco-conscious peat-free alternative is pure long-fiber sphagnum moss. I have personally achieved excellent results growing Venus flytraps in pure sphagnum moss. While it can be pricier than peat-based mixes, it represents a sustainable option. In the UK, The Sphagnum Shop is a recommended supplier – remember to use the discount code TOMS10% for a 10% saving.
Watering is crucial. During the active growing season, the pot should be placed in a tray containing about 1 cm (⅓ inch) of water, allowing the plant to absorb moisture from below. Avoid top-watering, as this can compact the soil and potentially lead to rot. Venus flytraps thrive in consistently moist soil, but it should not be waterlogged. In winter, their water needs diminish, and the soil should be kept only slightly damp.
Perhaps the most critical, and often overlooked, aspect of watering Venus flytraps is water purity. Like many carnivorous plants, they have adapted to nutrient-poor, acidic environments. Using tap water, bottled water, or filtered water can be detrimental, as the mineral buildup over time can prove fatal to your plant. Similarly, fertilizers should be strictly avoided. The ideal water sources are rainwater, distilled water, deionized water, or water produced by a reverse osmosis (RO) system. These pure water sources mimic their natural bog habitat and prevent harmful mineral accumulation. You can learn more about suitable water types in my guide to pure water for carnivorous plants.
4. Understanding Venus Fly Trap Winter Dormancy
Venus fly traps are temperate plants that require a cold winter dormancy period, typically between November and February. This dormancy is not optional; it is a vital part of their life cycle, mirroring the seasonal changes in their native habitat. Just as sleep is essential for human health, winter dormancy is indispensable for the long-term vitality of Venus flytraps.
If your Venus flytrap resides on a windowsill or in a terrarium during the growing season, you’ll need to relocate it to a colder environment for dormancy. An unheated garage, shed, or even a cool windowsill in a less heated room can suffice. Plants already in unheated greenhouses can remain there throughout winter.
As daylight hours shorten and temperatures decline in autumn, you’ll observe your Venus flytrap’s leaves beginning to turn black and die back. This is a natural part of the dormancy process and not a cause for alarm. You can safely trim away any dead foliage. The end of dormancy, typically around late February or early March, is an opportune time to repot your Venus flytrap and even divide larger clumps if needed, before new growth emerges. A 10 cm (4 inch) pot is generally sufficient for mature Venus flytrap plants. Neglecting winter dormancy will significantly weaken your Venus flytrap over time, eventually leading to its demise.
5. Venus Fly Trap Flowers and Seed Propagation
Mature Venus fly traps produce flowers in spring. However, unless your goal is to collect seeds, it is generally advisable to remove the flower stalk once it reaches approximately 5 cm (2 inches) in height. Flowering is an energy-intensive process for Venus flytraps, and preventing flowering allows the plant to channel its energy into robust vegetative growth and trap production during the summer months.
I’ve written a detailed guide dedicated to Venus flytrap flowers, which also includes instructions on propagating new plants from cut flower stems! This is an interesting propagation method for the more adventurous grower.
Growing Venus flytraps from seed demands considerable patience. Seedlings take several years to reach adult size, and maintaining their viability can be challenging for novice growers. Furthermore, the online marketplace, particularly platforms like eBay and Facebook, is rife with fraudulent Venus flytrap seeds. If you wish to embark on seed propagation, always source your seeds from reputable specialist nurseries.
For UK enthusiasts, Hampshire Carnivorous Plants offers Venus Flytrap seed kits, as well as seed variety packs that include easier-to-grow species. In the US, California Carnivores provides a wide selection of Venus Flytrap seed packs, with free shipping within the US. You can also avail of a 10% discount on your order using the code tomscarnivores. If you’re keen to delve into sexual propagation by collecting and sowing your own Venus flytrap seeds, I recommend consulting this comprehensive article by Flytrapcare.com.
6. Feeding Your Venus Fly Trap: To Feed or Not to Feed?
Venus fly traps are efficient hunters, and if grown outdoors, they will typically capture sufficient insect prey on their own. However, if you cultivate your Venus flytrap indoors, supplemental feeding may be beneficial, although not strictly necessary. You can offer them dead or live insects, but only after ensuring all their other environmental and care requirements are met.
For proper digestion, Venus flytrap traps require post-closure trigger hair stimulation. This mechanism prevents the plant from expending energy digesting non-nutritious debris that may accidentally fall into the trap. After placing a dead insect into a trap, you can gently stimulate the trigger hairs using a toothpick or by lightly massaging the sides of the trap with your fingers. This simulates the struggling of live prey and initiates the digestive process.
If you deem it’s time to feed your plant, consult my detailed guide to feeding Venus Flytraps, where I recommend a range of suitable and readily available insect food sources. Avoid feeding them human food, meat, or anything other than insects.
7. Exploring Venus Fly Trap Cultivars and Mutations
Although Dionaea muscipula is a single species, horticultural breeding over many years has resulted in a remarkable array of Venus flytrap varieties, known as cultivars. Hundreds of cultivars exist, and many are commercially available, offering a diverse palette of appearances to choose from.
All Venus fly traps share a basic structure: a rosette of leaves (petioles), each terminating in a snap trap. Mature traps typically measure around 2.5 cm (1 inch) in length, but some giant flytrap varieties can boast traps reaching up to 5 cm (2 inches). You can explore more about the impressive sizes Venus flytraps can achieve in my article on giant Venus flytraps.
Cultivar selection often focuses on color, size, or unique mutations. All-green and all-red cultivars are particularly popular. Examples include Dionaea ‘Justina Davis’, which retains its vibrant green hue even in intense sunlight, and Dionaea ‘Akai Ryu’ (also known as ‘Red Dragon’), which develops a striking maroon or burgundy coloration across the entire plant. Notable large varieties include ‘Slack’s Giant’ and ‘South West Giant’, with the latter originating in the UK.
Mutant cultivars represent another fascinating category. These often arise from tissue culture anomalies and exhibit unusual trap shapes or growth patterns. While some mutants may be so deformed that they are incapable of catching prey, they hold a certain novelty appeal for collectors. Opinions on mutant cultivars are divided – some growers appreciate their unique forms, while others find them less aesthetically pleasing.
8. Where Can I Buy a Venus Flytrap? Sourcing Healthy Plants
Acquiring your Venus flytrap from a reputable source is crucial to ensure you start with a healthy and robust plant.
For enthusiasts in the UK, Hampshire Carnivorous Plants is the largest and longest-established carnivorous plant nursery in the country and a highly recommended source. Run by Matthew Soper, this nursery offers a wide selection of Venus flytraps, along with specialized compost, seeds, and carnivorous plant collections that include ideal companion plants like Pitcher plants and Sundews. They provide prompt delivery throughout the UK.
If you are located in the US, California Carnivores comes with my strongest recommendation. They offer a wide range of Venus Flytrap cultivars available for delivery across the United States, as well as companion plants like Pitcher plants and Sundews. You can also enjoy a 10% discount on your order by using the code tomscarnivores.
Venus fly traps purchased from specialist carnivorous plant nurseries are generally far superior in health and vigor compared to those found in general hardware or DIY stores. Furthermore, specialist nurseries provide invaluable expert advice on successful cultivation, and your purchase supports small businesses passionate about carnivorous plants!
Want to Delve Deeper? Recommended Reading
For those eager to expand their knowledge further, I wholeheartedly recommend The Savage Garden by Peter D’Amato. In my opinion, this book stands as the definitive guide to carnivorous plants available today. Its dedicated chapters on Dionaea are exceptionally detailed and perfectly suited for both beginners and experienced growers. Available on Amazon.
