Venus Flytrap Growing Tips

Venus flytraps snap shut to trap insect prey.

Venus flytraps belong to a group known as carnivorous plants. They feed upon small insects captured in their modified leaves. These hinged leaves have long hairs that send a signal to close the trap when touched. Once trapped, the insect is slowly digested by the plant. Venus flytraps grow well as an indoor plant when their natural growing conditions are replicated.

Providing Moisture

Planting in a terrarium helps replicate the humid environment Venus flytraps require for healthy growth. A simple open terrarium made from a glass bowl allows air circulation and gives the plants access to insects, but a cover retains more moisture, though it requires occasional venting. Venus flytraps need regular watering that keeps the soil moist but not soggy. Fluoride and other chemicals in tap water can harm the plants so it's necessary to water with distilled water or rainwater.

Light and Temperature

Venus flytraps need a sunny location for best growth and health, but direct sunlight on a closed terrarium may cook plants. Opening the top of the terrarium during the day and closing it at night helps maintain air moisture without damaging the flytrap. South- and east-facing windows provide sufficient light, though fluorescent grow lights are another lighting option. Flytraps need temperatures around 75 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and no lower than 55 degrees at night. The plants go dormant in the winter and can tolerate temperatures as low as 40 degrees during this period.

Fertilization

Rich soil can harm Venus flytraps; instead they grow best in a moist but low-nutrient medium. The high acidity and low nutrient content of peat moss provides a suitable growing medium, especially when combined with some sand for drainage. Carnivorous plants get most of their nutrients from insects but light fertilization helps supplement their diet. Lightly fertilizing the flytraps with a quarter-strength application of fish emulsion once monthly when the plants are growing in spring and summer provides enough nutrients for the plants.

Feeding Flytraps

Flying insects and small crawling bugs make up the diet of Venus flytraps in the wild. Once the insect lands on a trap it becomes stuck to the sticky nectar. Its struggle triggers the trap, then the flytrap's digestive enzymes break down the insect and extract the nutrients. Avoid touching traps unless you are feeding the plant, as closing the traps weakens the plants and a trap dies off after closing one or two times. Flytraps only feed on small insects and it damages the plant to feed them raw meat or other non-insect foods. The plants require feeding only once or twice a month in spring and summer.

References

• University of Vermonth Extension; Man-Eating Plants?; Dr. Leonard Perry
• University of Nebraska Extension; Care for Carnivorous Plants; Don Janssen; December 2006