How to Have A Venus Fly Trap Indoors
Venus flytraps are one of the most interesting plants in the world. Rather than receiving nutrients from the soil like most plants, the flytrap actually receives its nutrients from bugs that it catches inside its red trap. Because of this fascinating eating process, many people choose to raise their own Venus flytrap right at home. It is possible to grow flytraps indoors, but there are many requirements to keep the plant healthy. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Venus flytrap
- 2-inch tall tray (large enough for the pot to fit in)
- Sand
- Peat moss
- Spray bottle
- Distilled water
- Acidic soil
- Small bugs (flies, spiders, crickets, ants or ladybugs)
- Plastic zip bag
Instructions
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1
Plant the flytrap in a soil mixture of 70 percent peat moss and 30 percent sand. Mix the two ingredients thoroughly before placing the plant inside. Moisten the soil, but do not add so much water that it cannot be absorbed into the soil.
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2
Fill the tray with one inch of distilled water. Do not use tap water. The minerals in tap water can kill the plant. Place the pot with the flytrap inside on the tray. Once a week spray the surface of the flytrap with a squirt bottle full of distilled water to keep the humidity high. Keep one inch of water inside the tray at all times.
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3
Place the plant in a spot that receives six to eight hours of sunlight. An east-facing window or room is best. Morning sun is not as harsh as afternoon sun, which can damage the delicate leaves of the flytrap.
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4
Feed the flytrap every other week. Give the flytrap one bug each time. One bug is enough to feed the entire plant, even if it has more than one trap. Give small bugs; if the flytrap cannot close over the bug completely then it can easily become infected and die. Do not feed the plant more than once a week.
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5
Allow the plant to become dormant during the winter. Allow the water in the tray to gradually dry out starting in October. Keep the soil moist during this time, however. Place the flytrap, pot and all, inside a large plastic zip bag in early November. Place the bag inside the vegetable drawer inside your refrigerator. Check the plant once a week to ensure it is not drying out or rotting. If it shows signs of rot, remove the plastic bag for a few days and cut off any brown parts of the plant.
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6
Remove the plant from the fridge in February or March. Slowly increase light exposure over a period of one month. After the month is over, return the flytrap to the tray filled with water and its original growing spot.
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