Plant Care and Gardening Tips

Gardening advice and plant care notes

May 20, 2004 · Garden Review / Venus Flytrap

Buy a Venus Flytrap

The Carnivorous Venus Fly Trap

The Venus flytrap has captivated people across the world; the plants actually grow in an incredibly small geographic area. In the wild, they are found in a 700-mile region along the coast of North and South Carolina. Within this area, the plants are further limited to living in humid, wet and sunny bogs and acid wetland areas. Because Venus Flytraps are so scarce, some early botanists doubted their existence, despite all the stories about a flesh-eating plant.
So, how did the plant end up with the intriguing name of Venus Flytrap? It’s not too hard to imagine how ‘Flytrap’ might relate to its insect-catching abilities.

venus fly trap

But how to choose a Venus Flytrap Plant to buy? Unless one lives where Venus Flytraps grow naturally, one probably won’t be able to just plop one into the dirt in the garden and watch it grow. However, if one is willing to invest a little time and effort, one can certainly grow Venus Flytraps at home. There are two ways by which one can acquire a Venus Flytrap plant.

1) A reputable nursery or carnivorous plant society. There are several sites that offer carnivorous plants.

2) Local garden centers. Sometimes grocery stores with flower shops will feature carnivorous plants for sale at certain times of the year. The plant may be stressed but with a little love and care will prove to be not only and educational interest but also an unusual conversation plant. The kids love it. Just don’t let them feed it or snap the traps too much or the plant be stressed and die sooner than later.

For Venus flytrap care

From the reader archive

Useful reader questions

Venus fly trap dormancy I have a venus flytrap, it was stressed when i bought it, then i almost killed it by putting it in potting soil! but luckily i researched it, put it back in the original potting mixture then it…

Read jamiefahey discussion

I used to have a small Flytrap a few months ago, I had it growing pretty well. I put the pot in a tupperware bottom with rocks and water in it to increase humidity. Then my father killed it 🙁 but since…

Read Jordan discussion

Feeding Venus-Fly-Trap I think I have a spider-flytrap war going on. My boyfriend bought me a grocery-store Venus Flytrap on a whim 17 days ago. It’s rather small, but has 8 traps & lives in a plastic container like a cylinder with…

Read New Venus Owner! discussion

I went on vacation for five weeks. When I left, my venus fly trap was already looking slightly brown. A neighbor took care of it. During vacation, I got a call saying my cats had knocked it down. I didn’t worry, but…

Read kris discussion

36 Comments

  1. Robert - July 2, 2005 at 3:08 pm

    Never pick venus flytraps where they live naturally! Not only is it illegal, it further hurts the already dying population of natural flytraps! There are many strict laws about picking every type of carnivorous plant.

    Reply
  2. rShailen Dheda - November 28, 2005 at 3:21 am

    How to care for a venus fly trap and what to feed it? How much water and what type of water is required for the plant

    Venus Fly trap (Dionaea muscipula) requires full sun in spring and fall and some shade in the hot months of summer. Keep them constantly moist, water with rainwater and provide high humidity at temperatures between 45-98 degrees. Repot the peat mix every year or two and do not fertilize. Feed the plant occasionally with tiny pieces of dead fly,maggots, never raw meat, if they don’t catch it themselves. They are difficult plants to grow and eventhough their lifespan may be short indoors, they’ll provide curiosity and interesting conversation.

    Reply
  3. Marissa Wurglinnei - June 15, 2006 at 11:40 am

    I bought a Venus Fly Trap at Wal-Marts nursery. The person that worked there said that when they are pink they are really healthy, is that true?

    Color indicates the amount of light exposure, temperature and season. If the Venus fly trap has sufficient light to fulfull its chlorophyll requirement then it will develop a pinker color indicating it is happy & healthy. The pink/red color helps lure insects into the trap. There is also a variety “Akai Ryu” that is red and gets darker with more sun.

    Reply
  4. kris - November 23, 2006 at 10:02 am

    I went on vacation for five weeks. When I left, my venus fly trap was already looking slightly brown. A neighbor took care of it. During vacation, I got a call saying my cats had knocked it down. I didn’t worry, but when I came back, it was brown partially and spindly. The plant and the soil around it were completely soaking. What is wrong with my venus fly trap?? Could it be overwatering?? Do the cats have anything to do with it?? How do I fix this, and will the fly trap recover??

    Sounds like your Venus fly trap wasn’t happy when you left it. When the cats knocked it down it could have caused some breakage but not the browning. Overwatering may be a possibility. Let the “soil” dry out slightly but keep it moist but not soaking. See how it responds. It may send out new leaves from the center. If its not happy in the present location try a sunny spot elsewhere and see what happens. more info

    Reply
  5. jeremy - December 19, 2006 at 3:13 pm

    2006-4-20
    how do i make my venus flytrap grow big and fat if it in a small pot do i have to put it in a big pot?

    A larger pot won’t make a larger plant. Once the plant seems to overflow the pot then you would repot it.

    Reply
  6. kimber harbour - April 26, 2007 at 2:49 pm

    Can i plant two flytraps in one pot together?
    what can i feed my flytrap if it is not getting enough flys?

    Probably would be better to keep them separate and not crowd them. They don’t like to be transplanted. Most likely, your traps are getting enough food but just in case feed your plants other bugs such as maggots, spiders, crickets. Just don’t overfeed too much will also kill the plant. Also make sure that the food is no larger than 1/3 the size of the trap or you risk rot and which will kill the leaf. Check out .

    Reply
  7. Gene O’Neal - October 1, 2007 at 1:07 pm

    a few days after eating, my fly trap leaf
    will start turning black starting from where
    fly is and extending to the rest of leaf. I
    cut away the leaf.

    Reply
  8. juana - December 4, 2007 at 10:40 pm

    My nino bought me a venus flytrap but my dog dropped it . and because of the dog getting a hold of my venus flytrap. my venus has some dirt In it’s mouth. will the dirt harm the venus fly trap? is it o.k to touch the venus flytrap to clean the dirt out? what will happen if I touch it ?

    Yes, it’s ok to touch it but be gentle. Rinse off the dirt with a gentle stream of water. Most likely nothing will happen when you touch it.

    Reply
  9. Jordan - December 30, 2007 at 12:11 pm

    I used to have a small Flytrap a few months ago, I had it growing pretty well. I put the pot in a tupperware bottom with rocks and water in it to increase humidity. Then my father killed it 🙁 but since then I’ve gotten a new one. I have it in a similar tupperware bowl with water, and the leaves sprout very vivaciously and tall, but they then slump over and haven’t developed into traps. The old traps aren’t healthy and don’t trigger shut. Could I be overwatering? Should i cut away the old traps?

    Your plant is not happy. Did you fertilize your VFtrap? What kind of water are you using – use distilled or rainwater not chlorinated water? The plant medium should be moist but not wet. Is it getting enough light?
    You may be keeping the plant too wet especially in the winter with cooler temperatures and less sunlight. Check the bulb and see if it is firm and a creamy color without any soft spots If you have soft spots it is rotting possibly from too much water. Even if all the leaves die back but the bulb is healthy, you can dust it with a fungicide and replant it. It should send out new growth. Don’t try to trigger the traps shut, it is stressful on the plant and will kill the trap. A trap can be triggered 3-4 times and then will die. Cut away any brown or dying traps before they rot.

    Reply
  10. jaylen - January 8, 2008 at 6:50 pm

    what do i do if my venus fly is to small to eat anything?

    Just leave it alone and let it grow. You don’t need to feed or fertilize it. It will get nutrition on its own. Usually the warm, moist soil conditions will breed soil gnats which Venus fly trap will feed on occasionally. Overfeeding a Venus fly trap is the fastest way to kill it.

    Reply
  11. jamiefahey - June 7, 2008 at 9:34 am

    Venus fly trap dormancy
    I have a venus flytrap, it was stressed when i bought it, then i almost killed it by putting it in potting soil! but luckily i researched it, put it back in the original potting mixture then it got really stressed. Every trap eventually died off, but still managed new growth. Now all the old traps are gone but, now has 4 new traps one which i have fed a fly and has now opened up again, and the other 3 are now developing. Each new trap is now getting redder as time goes on, probably due to the fact that i have it in a terrarium on occasion for humidity, while giving it as much direct sun as possible. On days which there is overcast and in the evening i place it under two fluorescent lights, one compact cool white natural light equal to 45watts (3100 lumen), the other a full spectrum fluorescent (2160 lumen). My plant seems to be getting better and happier. It is June i bought it in April am i going to have to put my plant into dormancy come the winter time??

    Hi Jamie
    Venus flytrap is an interesting plant to grow and observe.
    Plants under 3 years old can miss winter dormancy. If the plant looks stressed and is not producing new leaves, then a winter break will help rejuvenate it. Plants over 3 years old should go dormant. Enjoy your plant!
    See Venus fly trap care for additional info on dormancy.

    Reply
  12. jamiefahey - June 7, 2008 at 9:47 am

    OH ya srry i also keep my plant indoors and i live in Newfoundland, Canada. Would like to keep my plant for many years please help.

    P.S. my plant was a light green when i got it, now it is getting darker on the leaves and the new traps are getting a red tint to the inside. please anyone how is my plant doing? and what more should i do to ensure it survival? sincerly jamiefahey plant fanatic.

    Sounds like your’e doing great! Just don’t feed it. It will feed itself.

    Reply
  13. jamiefahey - June 13, 2008 at 12:09 pm

    Hi again, today i noticed that my VFT is starting to flower. i’ve read that this can kill your plant is this true? Should i pinch off the little bud as soon as i can get at it? Help what do i do?

    Hi Jamie
    Yes, you should pinch off the flower stalk. My VFT did the same thing and I pinched it off . If you leave it, the plant will spend a lot of energy producing a cluster of somewhat insignificant flowers instead of traps. This will weaken the plant and can cause it to eventually die.

    Reply
  14. jamiefahey - June 16, 2008 at 3:36 am

    IN an eariler post i mentioned that i almost killed my plant by putting it in potting soil. When i did this i mixed the peat moss the plant came in with the potting soil, but when i put the plant back in the peat it was black and muddy from the potting mix and i didn’t flush out the peat. My plant seems to have no problems with this new mix, actually it seems to be doing quite well. can someone shine some light on to why this is. and why my plant is not dead.

    hi Jamie
    It sounds like the medium mix is mostly peat moss and some soil mix. As long as it loose and drains well, it should be fine. As the saying goes; “If it ain’t broke don’t try to fix it”. The recommended combination is 60% peat and 40% perlite which makes a fast draining medium. Spaghmum moss is also a good medium to use. I’m glad it’s doing so well.

    Reply
  15. Sarah McCabe - June 24, 2008 at 1:16 pm

    got a VFT a week ago for my grandson b-day which is this coming sat…within a week 2 traps turned black..will they recover? should I snip them off..I’ve read and I’m doing everything right, at least I think I am…please help me..I want to give him a healthy plant and I don’t want anymore to turn black

    Hi Sarah
    Some of the traps will turn black-that is the natural progression of the plant. If they feed on something several times, then the traps will turn black and die. Just snip off. It will send out new ones. As much fun as it is to trigger the traps, be sure that your grandson doesn’t trigger the traps too often as that will also kill the traps.

    Reply
  16. Sarah McCabe - June 24, 2008 at 1:29 pm

    ok this is me again w/the VFT that the 2 traps are turning black…I have it in sand and peat moss..do I perhaps have too much sand and I am keeping it pretty wet..I heard they even grow in just water…but then I just read where it needs to drain..which is it? help me

    HI again
    It’s planted in the perfect medium. Keep the soil moist at all times. See Venus Flytrap care for additional info.

    Reply
  17. collin - July 29, 2008 at 6:57 pm

    hi, i have purchased a venus fly trap online and should be getting it in a couple weeks. i live on the coast in southern california should i put it in a terrairium or will i be ok without it indoors? thanks

    Hi Collin
    The reason some grow it in a terrarium is to maintain the high humidity they require. So if you have the air conditioning on indoors, it may need to be in a more humid environment.

    Reply
  18. George - October 18, 2008 at 8:49 am

    I live in California and i bought a venus fly trap two weeks ago but the sun hits half my house in the morning and half my house in the afternoon. usually i move my plant from side to side but its becoming a hassle since there were three plants in one pot and i moved them to separate pots now i have to move three pots. Should i just keep them at one window or put them outside for more sunlight were its dryer?

    Hi George
    It can be a pain moving them around. One sunny location of 1/2 day full sun would be best. It sounds as if they are doing well indoors. Choose the window with most sun and leave it there. The plant will adjust or supplement with a grow light.
    If you place your venus fly trap outdoors put them in a semi shaded place so they can adjust to the light change.

    Reply
  19. New Venus Owner! - November 24, 2008 at 11:42 pm

    Feeding Venus-Fly-Trap

    I think I have a spider-flytrap war going on. My boyfriend bought me a grocery-store Venus Flytrap on a whim 17 days ago. It’s rather small, but has 8 traps & lives in a plastic container like a cylinder with small holes at the top that we were told to keep it in. In the last 17 days we trapped a very small gnat-type thing for it and a fly (both of which we put in the container live and which it trapped and ate). Today I found a spider for the plant and trapped it in there. The spider (which is the size of one of the medium sized leaves) is hanging out the outside of one leaf (not inside, so it can’t be trapped) & seems to be causing the leaf to rapidly turn yellow & black. What?! Is the spider killing the plant? It looks like it… Is 3 bugs in 17 days too many (one very small)? Notes on care: I water it with distilled water, just enough to keep the soil moist & keep it in the window-sill for daytime sun since it’s Fall (live in Southern California so it’s warm during the day even though it’s Nov).

    HI
    It’s not a good idea to artificially feed your Venus-fly-trap. See the article on Venus fly try care, it will give you information on feeding the plant, etc.

    Reply
  20. New Venus Owner! - November 25, 2008 at 12:41 pm

    We have no garden or patio, so we don’t have another option other than artificially feeding (though we could give it away). Is that what you’d recommend? (By the way: it ate the spider overnight… ew… such bizarre plants…)

    Hi
    They are cool plants! You don’t need to feed it. It will get nutrition on its own. Usually the warm, moist soil conditions will breed soil gnats which Venus fly trap will feed on. Overfeeding a Venus fly trap is the fastest way to kill it. Most people grow them indoors in a terrarium so they can maintain a humid environment for them to grow in.

    Reply
  22. Jordan - July 2, 2009 at 10:05 am

    Hey.
    I have venus flytraps indoors but they are happy( they get water, have fluorescent bulbs, etc, just like out side. But because they are inside, does this mean they will live s hort life. And if so, how long?

    Hi Jordan
    I cannot tell you how long your Venus Fly trap will live. If you are providing everything that it needs, indoor or outdoor should make not difference. Many carnivorous plant growers grow their plants indoors with great success.

    Reply
  23. jasmine - July 3, 2009 at 10:45 am

    Hi!
    I am from India this summer my venus fly trap died .I like to buy one can you help.
    PL LMK ?
    Regards
    Jasmine

    Hi Jasmine,
    Check online for Carnivorous plants. There are many sources that sell Venus flytrap.

    Reply
  24. Jordan - July 4, 2009 at 8:28 am

    Hi.
    My venus flytrap has like 20 different traps on it and looks like it is 2 or 3 different plants if you get a side view of it (they seem to grow side by side by side). Do you think it has split into different plants? And if so, should I separate them? I want to, but I’m afraid I might be wrong or something and it will die.

    Hi Jordan
    It sounds like your plant is growing well and if there are 2-3 different plants your can divide them. Carefully remove your Venus Flytrap and gently pull apart separating the roots. Repot in the same type of medium that it is currently growing in.

    Reply
  26. Liz - October 22, 2009 at 4:35 pm

    Hello,
    I’ve been in search for a Venus Fly Trap for the longest time now, and I havn’t been able to find anywhere that sells it. I checked all the Walmarts around town and also tried a few local gardening shops. Living in Newfoundland, I find it a pretty hard task to accomplish.
    Do you know if there are any online garden shops that could possibly send me such a plant?

    Hi Liz
    Venus fly trap is sold at certain times of the year. Google buy Venus Fly trap and there are internet stores that sell them. Good luck.

    Reply
  27. Michelle - November 18, 2009 at 8:15 pm

    Pink spots
    My venus fly trap has some pink spots on it. Is that normal? A friend said that the pink spots are a disease and my fly trap will die. Is there something I could do to save it?

    Submitted on 2010/02/06 at 6:49pm
    to michelle: yes. that is normal. it is actually good. it is NOT a disease, it really means the plant is healthy. its winter now, so if you already havent, put it dormant. and you shouldnt have to save it since theres nothing wrong with it

    Reply
  28. Schalk - February 25, 2010 at 1:32 pm

    Plastic domes
    HI this dome that everyone is talking about is it nessary?? If is quite humid where I stay even with aircons on.And it look’s like my plant is growing bigger by day.Got 10 traps three new ones since I bougth it 2 day’s ago.

    Hi
    No, the plastic dome is not neccessary. It is used to protect the plant in shipping. Best to take it off. VFT are placed in glass/plastic domes (terrarium) to increase humidity when the environment is too dry. It works like a mini greenhouse.

    Reply
  29. tana - May 5, 2010 at 8:15 am

    Starting from seed
    hello i recently bought seeds of venus flytraps from Amsterdam and my mom planted them 5months ago and i recently found out that they need special soil. i think she used miracle grow. do u think i have enough time to transfer the seeds to another aquarium with special lighting and soil for them to survive or are they dead already? And what are your recommendations to keeping them alive?

    Hi Tana
    I’m not sure if the seeds are viable after 5 mo. Fresh seeds take several weeks to germinate and as long as 2 months. Here’s more info.http://www.flytrapcare.com/growing-venus-flytraps-from-seeds.html

    Reply
  31. Matt - May 14, 2010 at 4:52 pm

    Jamie Fahey: I live in Newfoundland and would like to buy a venus fly trap,where in Newfoundland can I purchase one?

    Reply
  32. Martin - June 27, 2010 at 4:10 am

    Can anyone recommend an online store for seeds? I need to ship overseas so, I can’t buy live plants or ship soil. I just need the seeds. Thanks a lot.

    Reply
  33. haley - September 6, 2010 at 4:34 pm

    Octopus plant care
    i have a octopus plant and i have no idea on how to take care of it PLEASE help do i cut off the dead plant how long do i keep it out side i have no dome or terraiam is it needed im scared please please help

    Hi Haley
    Here’s some info on Octopus plant (Drosera species) care http://www.flytraphelp.info/octopus_plant

    Reply
  34. Matt - July 2, 2011 at 2:17 am

    Hi I live in the uk and I have 5 flytrap plants and have had them for a year and a half now and they need re potting so I hear peat moss and perlite mix is best for this however no garden supplyer sells peat moss is there a name of any other soil I can use?

    Reply
  35. dan - March 8, 2012 at 5:25 pm

    if my little flower dyes without having seeds will it grow a new one?

    Hi Dan
    Blooming takes out a lot of energy from the plant so that some die after bloom. I’m not sure if the do a second bloom.

    Reply
  36. RAHUL - May 22, 2012 at 9:45 pm

    You can Buy venus fly trap seeds and plants in INDIA .
    Other varieties of carnivores plants are also available with them.

    I ordered 2 months ago and the seeds have now begun to sprout 🙂

    you can contact them through – carnivoresplants@hotmail.com

    Reply

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