How to Feed a Venus Fly Trap

The Dionaea muscipula, or Venus fly trap, is one of several carnivorous plants worldwide. The plant derives its nutrition mostly as other plants do yet can supplement its diet with insects. After closing in on its prey, the Venus fly trap can remain closed for up to 12 hours as it digests its meal.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Venus flytrap
• Insects

1. Buy a healthy Venus fly trap from any local nursery or online specialty store. These plants once only inhabited the swamps of North and South Carolina until they were nearly brought to extinction by the curious gardener. They may have to be ordered and shipped from specialty greenhouses.

2. Triggering the "trap" portion of the plant requires that an insect or other meal touch the inner trigger hairs. These hairs protrude outward waiting to be disturbed by an unsuspecting prey.

3. Collect as many as three or four insects a month to satisfy the plants nutritional needs. Feed the Venus fly trap by dropping a disabled bug between the plant's two lobes. This will trigger the closing reflex and begin the digesting process.

Tips & Warnings

• Always try to feed the plant live insects or bugs. If the prey is not moving the plant may seek to expel the meal. If need be, gently massage the outside of the two lobes to stimulate digestion.
• Never feed the Venus fly trap meat or hamburger. Oddly, the plant can suffer from indigestion the same as humans. This may lead to rot and death of the plant.
• Use caution when collecting insects. Find meals such as flies and other non-stinging insect.

Resources

• Find a wealth of botany information here.
• Here is a great website on the Venus fly trap.
• Discover this website with informative floral articles.