Venus Fly Trap Plant

Light Needs

Bright Direct Light

Mature Height

6 - 11 Inches

Mature Spread

6 - 11 Inches

Feature

Pet Safe

Perhaps the most well-known carnivorous plant is the Venus fly trap, or Dionaea muscipula as it is botanically called. An evergreen carnivorous plant native to North America, it uses sweet nectar to attract insects that trigger its bright green and toothed traps to close. Unable to escape, the insects are dissolved by digestive enzymes that feed the plant and subsequently re-open to catch more prey. Although not the easiest houseplant to grow, with the right care and conditions it can thrive.

Best Locations For Growing Venus Fly Trap 

The Venus Fly Trap can be grown in any room as long it receives enough sunlight and moderate levels of humidity. Being such an unusual plant, you’ll want to grow it somewhere you can appreciate it. 

Venus Fly Trap Plant Sunlight Requirements

When growing the Venus Fly Trap indoors, it needs to receive as much direct light as possible; near a south-facing window is ideal. 

Venus Fly Trap Care

As it matures, the Venus Fly Trap Plant will need repotting every year or two. When repotting, an ericaceous low-nutrient growing medium is advisable, a mix of sphagnum moss and perlite is ideal. This plant prefers a temperature range of 70° - 95° during the growing season, from spring until fall. During the winter, colder temperatures are required to encourage the plant to enter its dormancy; an unheated but frost-free garage is ideal.

Watering Venus Fly Trap 

The Venus Fly Trap requires consistently moist soil to thrive, so much so that it can be left in a saucer of water if you are going away for a few days. However, during the winter, watering can be reduced. Harvested rainwater or distilled water at room temperature is advisable as these carnivorous plants cannot tolerate the chlorine levels of tap water.  

Feeding Venus Fly Trap 

If grown outdoors in its natural habitat, the Venus Fly Trap does not need to be fed as it will catch its own prey. However, when grown indoors, insects will need to be provided periodically during the growing season. A house plant fertilizer is not recommended as the Venus Fly Trap prefers a low-nutrient soil.

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