How To Grow & Care For Venus Fly Trap

Venus flytrap is a carnivore plant that you can grow & care in your garden. They are native to subtropical wetlands on the East Coast of the United States in North & South Carolina. In the year 1759, on 2^nd April, colonial governer Arthur Dobbs sent a letter regarding description of venus fly trap.

In the history it is the first written description of this plant. He wrote:

“We have a kind of Catch Fly Sensitive which closes upon anything that touches it. It grows in Latitude 34 but not in 35. I will try to save the seed here.”

— Arthur Dobbs

Venus fly trap is a slow growing plant that is found in wet sandy, peaty nitrogen & phosphorus poor soils. They fulfil their nitrogen requirement by preying on insects. Generally they feed on beetles, spiders and other crawling arthropods. They are perennial plant, blooms during May to June every year & goes under dormancy in winters.

How To Care For Venus Fly Trap?

1. Climate: Venus Fyltrap is native to sub-tropical rainforests. Humidity above 50% favours good growth.

2. USDA Zones: This carnivore plant can be grown in USDA zones 7, 8, 9, & 10.

3. Temperature: They can survive well in temperature ranging from 35 to 5^o Celsius.

4. Soil & Potting Mix: Slightly acidic soil which is devoid of nutrients is good for venus fly trap. Prepare potting mix with 50% sphagnum peat moss + 50% perlite or silica sand. Do not add any manure or fertilizer.

5. Sunlight: During summers avoid keeping them under direct sunlight. They prefer to grow under bright indirect sunlight throughout the day.

6. Watering: Avoid tap water for watering, instead use distilled or rain water for watering venus fly trap & keep growing medium moist but not soaking. You can also add a tray beneath the pot and keep 1 inches water in the tray to provide adequate moisture to the plant.

7. Fertilizers: Never add fertilizers for venus fly trap. Adding fertilizers will kill your plant slowly. They derive nutrients from thier prey.

8. Pests & Diseases: Pests such as aphids, mites and mealybugs can infest your plant in severe condition. Do not use neem oil for controlling pests on this plant. You can use any other horticultural oil or insecticidal soap to control these pests.

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Author’s Note

I hope you have understood this guide on caring for venus fly trap. Kindly try to implement all these tips for growing this plant for best results. If you have any ideas, suggestion, or queries then please comment below!