How to Germinate a Venus Fly Trap

Germinate a Venus flytrap to catch flies and other insects in your home.

Movement on a Venus flytrap's tiny hairs trigger the plant to close. The plant often traps insects and flies, and it can remain closed for two weeks. The carnivorous plant needs to feed on an insect at least every 10 days to remain healthy. Instead of purchasing a flytrap, you can germinate the seeds at home to grow the plant. After the seeds germinate, transplant them to individual containers so that they have room to grow.

Things You'll Need

• Seed starting tray
• Seed starting soil
• Plastic
• Distilled water
• Spray bottle
• 6-inch growing pot

Instructions

1. Fill a seed-starting tray with moist seed-starting soil. Place the Venus flytrap seeds spaced 1 inch apart on top of the soil, and press them down gently, just enough to ensure that they remain in place.

2. Cover the seed tray with plastic to regulate the humidity. Open the plastic every day to allow the air to circulate.

3. Spray the seeds with distilled water to moisten the soil. Spray the flytrap seeds daily until they germinate.

4. Sit the seeds in a warm location with temperatures between 75 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Avoid placing the seeds in direct sunlight.

5. Water the seedlings to keep the soil moist. Avoid over-watering them, or the soil will become soggy and mold may begin to grow.

6. Transplant the seedlings to 6-inch growing pots once they germinate and have two sets of leaves. Each seedling needs its own pot. Place the plant outdoors or in a south-facing window so that it can receive direct sunlight.

Tips & Warnings

• Avoid watering the plant with tap water, which can have too much alkaline or other harmful minerals.

References

• Flytrap Care: Growing Venus Flytraps from Seed
• Iowa State University: Ask the ISU Extension Garden Expert: How does one care for a Venus flytrap?
• Sarracenia: The Carnivorous Plant FAQ: How do I Stimulate Seeds to Germinate?