Venus Flytrap

Venus Flytrap (Dionaea muscipula)

The Venus Flytrap is famous for its fast snap traps and is an excellent choice for beginners when its basic needs are respected.

Important: Exact care, growth speed and final size depend on the cultivar, the age and size of the plant, the pot and the growing conditions.

Plant Information

• Scientific name: Dionaea muscipula
• Origin: North and South Carolina, USA
• Difficulty: ★★☆☆☆ Easy
• Typical mature size: approximately 8–15 cm across; some cultivars grow larger traps
• Life cycle: Perennial with winter dormancy

Care Guide

• Light: Outdoors in strong light, ideally 5–6+ hours of direct sun after gradual acclimation.
• Water: Rainwater, distilled water or reverse-osmosis water only. Keep the substrate moist; the tray method works well during active growth.
• Substrate: Nutrient-poor carnivorous-plant mix such as unfertilised peat with perlite, or long-fibre sphagnum. Never use normal potting soil.
• Pot: Use a plastic or glazed pot with drainage, preferably at least 10–12 cm deep.
• Feeding: No fertiliser and no meat. Outdoors it normally catches enough insects by itself.
• Dormancy: A cool winter rest of about 3–4 months is required. Growth slows and old traps may blacken naturally.

Useful Tips

Do not trigger the traps for fun, do not cut healthy green leaves, and repot every 1–2 years when the substrate becomes compacted. Strong light helps produce compact growth and red coloration.