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4.4 out of 5 (152 experiences)


About Venus Fly Trap
The Venus Flytrap is a carnivorous plant native to North and South Carolina. They typically grow in swampy regions which are low in nitrogen (and essential nutrient for plant growth) and evolved carnivory as a clever solution. Their traps are triggered by small hairs and the closing of their traps is one of the fastest momevents among all plants! Their traps often die off after trapping and digesting prey, so be careful not to trigger them â leave those traps for the bugs đ!
Taxonomy
Dionaea muscipula
Dionaea
Droseraceae
Caryophyllales
Also known as
Red Piranha and Meadow Clams

How to care for Venus Fly Trap

How often to water your Venus Fly Trap

every 7
Venus Fly Trap needs 0.5 cups of water every 7 when it doesnât get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5" pot.
Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.
Water 0.5 cups every
7

Check the growing potential in your area
A plant's growing potential is determined from its location, the time of year, and current local weather.

Select a city to check sunlight intensity

Finding light for Venus Fly Trap in your home

a window
Venus Fly Trap love being close to bright, sunny windows đ.
Place it less than 1ft from a south-facing window to maximize the potential for growth.
Venus Fly Trap does not tolerate low-light đŤ.
Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Venus Fly Trap in your home đĄ.

How to fertilize Venus Fly Trap

Most potting soils come with ample nutrients which plants use to produce new growth.
By the time your plant has depleted the nutrients in its soil itâs likely grown enough to need a larger pot anyway.
To replenish this plant's nutrients, repot your Venus Fly Trap after it doubles in size or once a yearâwhichever comes first.

Venus Fly Trap can be challenging to care for, according to some plant parents. Check out the reviews down below to learn from their experiences!
Water Needs
Venus Fly Trap is sensitive to dry soil and should be watered frequently. Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.
Sunlight Needs
Venus Fly Trap requires abundant, bright and direct light. Place it less than one foot from a window to ensure it receives enough light to survive đŞ. Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement in your home đĄ.
Toxicity
Venus Fly Trap is not known to cause harm to humans or pets. Regardless, if you, a family member, a cat, or dog has ingested any plant material, please consult a doctor or a veterinarian.
Humidity
Venus Fly Trap enjoys lots of humidity. Provide humidity for your plant by watering regularly and thoroughly, since plants absorb most water through their root system rather than their leaves. They may also benefit from being placed next to a humidifier.
Soil
Venus Fly Trap does best in well-draining soil. A good soil will contain lots of organic matter such as coco coir as well as perlite or vermiculite to help with drainage. Adding a handful of perlite to regular store-bought potting soil should do the trick!
Fertilizer
Venus Fly Trap grows very slowly and doesnât require added fertilizer. Replacing your plantâs potting soil once a year should provide them with more than enough nutrition. Remember, plants get their energy from sunlight, not fertilizer!
Dormancy
Itâs common for Venus Fly Trap to go dormant in the wintertime and you may notice their growth slow down. Waterings should be spaced out more during this time.
Native Region
Venus Fly Trap is native to the Carolinas.
Flowers
Yes, you may see your Venus Fly Trap bloom with the right amount of sunlight and water.
Growth Pattern
Venus Fly Trap is a clumping plant, meaning new growth will emerge from the soil around the parent plant.
Growing Outdoors
USDA Hardiness Zone
Venus Fly Trap can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 6a-10b. Find your local hardiness zone here.
Propagation
Venus Fly Trap can be propagated by division into new individual plants.
- Check to see if there is more than one plant. In some cases they may still be beneath the soil surface. If you feel confident, you may remove the soil to check for baby plantlets below!
- If there are multiple plants growing, unpot the plant and gently tug the plants apart, being careful not to disturb too many of the roots. They may be connected by large root segments which you may need to break to free the plantlet.
- Pot up the new plant in well-draining soil
- Repot the parent plant back into its original pot
Yellow Leaves
Yellow leaves arenât always a reason to panic, and can be a normal part of a plantâs life cycle. Unless brand new leaves are turning yellow or all the leaves change color at once, itâs likely just your plant retiring old leaves.
If it seems like thereâs a problem, the most likely cause of yellow leaves in Venus Fly Trap is underwatering. The leaves may also appear to be curling or drooping. Yellow leaves can less often be caused by overwatering, nutrient deficiencies, or pests.
Give your plant a good drink and it should perk back up and download Greg to make sure your plant never goes thirsty again!
Care Summary for Venus Fly Trap
Venus Fly Trap
Greg recommends:

0.5 cups every 7 days

< 1ft from a window

Repot after 2x growth
Based on the 4â pot your plant is in, and that it doesnât get direct sunlight.

What other plant parents say












Venus fly traps like to stay moist but not water logged. They love the bright light, south facing is best but mine is doing fine in my east facing window. Not allowing them to dry out is best as they prefer soil that is slight moist. These plants are incredible and look amazing






I love my carnivorous plants, but this one is one of my neediest plants. It needs constant moisture and constant water.
It also needs to eat. But if whatever you feed it doesnât fit in itâs little mouths, it will cause the head to die. Make sure when they are small you only give them house flys and make sure the mouth is closed completely around it. đ



