FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Venus Flytraps are fascinating and unique plants that require specific care to thrive. Here are some tips on how to take care of a Venus Flytrap: Soil: Venus Flytraps require a soil mixture that is low in nutrients and holds moisture well. A mixture of peat moss and sand in equal parts is ideal. Water: Venus Flytraps require a moist environment, but they don't like to be sitting in water. Water your Venus Flytrap with distilled water or rainwater, as tap water can contain minerals that are harmful to the plant. Humidity: Venus Flytraps thrive in high humidity, so it's a good idea to place a tray of water near the plant to increase the humidity. You can also mist the plant regularly. Light: Venus Flytraps require bright, direct sunlight for at least 4-6 hours a day. A south-facing window is an ideal spot for a Venus Flytrap. Feeding: Venus Flytraps are carnivorous plants that capture insects with their traps. While they can survive without being fed insects, it's a good idea to feed them a few insects once a month. You can feed them small insects like flies or spiders, or you can purchase freeze-dried insects specifically made for Venus Flytraps. Dormancy: Venus Flytraps require a period of dormancy in the winter months. During this time, the plant will stop growing and may lose some of its leaves. Keep the plant in a cool, bright location and reduce watering to once every 2-3 weeks until the plant begins to grow again in the spring. With proper care, a Venus Flytrap can be a fascinating and rewarding plant to care for.
The length of time a fly stays in a Venus Flytrap depends on several factors, including the size of the fly and the strength of the trap. When a fly enters the trap, it triggers tiny hairs on the inner surface of the trap, causing it to snap shut. The trap then begins to secrete digestive enzymes that break down the insect's body for the plant to absorb the nutrients. The digestion process can take several days to a week, depending on the size of the insect and the strength of the trap. Smaller insects like fruit flies may be completely digested within a few days, while larger insects like houseflies may take longer. Once the plant has absorbed all the nutrients it can from the insect, it will release the trap and it will open up again, ready to catch its next prey. It's worth noting that Venus Flytraps don't need to catch insects to survive, but they do benefit from the additional nutrients that they provide. So while they can be fascinating to watch, it's not necessary to feed them insects if you're not comfortable with that. They can survive on just water and sunlight as long as they are grown in the right conditions.
Venus Flytraps can live for several years with proper care, but their lifespan can vary depending on their growing conditions and other factors. In their native habitat, Venus Flytraps can live for up to 20 years, but in cultivation, they may have a shorter lifespan. With proper care, a Venus Flytrap can live for several years, and some growers have reported their plants living for 10 years or more. However, if a Venus Flytrap is not given the right growing conditions or is not properly cared for, it may struggle and could eventually die. For example, if the plant doesn't get enough sunlight or is watered with the wrong type of water, it may become stressed and could eventually die. In general, Venus Flytraps are not considered long-lived plants, but they can live for several years and can be fascinating and rewarding to grow and care for during that time.
Venus Flytraps are not tropical plants and actually like good air circulation. A humidity level of about 40%-70% is good.
A: Venus Flytraps don't need to eat insects to survive, but they do benefit from the additional nutrients that they provide. The frequency with which a Venus Flytrap needs to eat depends on several factors, including the size and age of the plant, the strength of the traps, and the growing conditions. In general, Venus Flytraps can go for several weeks or even months between feedings. If you're providing your Venus Flytrap with the right growing conditions (such as a sunny spot with well-draining soil that is kept moist but not waterlogged), it should be able to photosynthesize and produce its own food through photosynthesis. If you do choose to feed your Venus Flytrap insects, it's best to do so sparingly and only when the plant's traps are actively growing and producing new leaves. Overfeeding can cause the traps to become weakened and damaged, and can also lead to the accumulation of undigested material in the traps, which can harm the plant. In general, it's best to let your Venus Flytrap catch insects on its own and supplement its diet with occasional feedings if desired. A healthy Venus Flytrap can thrive without regular feedings, as long as it's given the right growing conditions.
As long as the plant is in full growth and has several traps open you can feed the plant. Never feed more than half the number of traps open at any one time. If the traps are not closing properly, remove the food item and check the growing conditions to be sure everything is being done correctly. Wait a few days and then try feeding again. It can take a week or so for a trap to completely ‘reset’ after digesting a meal.
Slow closing traps usually means that the plant is too cold. Since this is a growth process, the warmer the plant, the quicker it will close. Try raising the temperature to around 80 degrees and see how the plant reacts. If it is still not closing properly the traps may not be fully reset from a previous closing or the light may not be bright enough.
NO! Never feed any type of meat to your fly trap. It will cause the trap to rot and waste the plant’s energy.
A: Yes, it is possible to feed a Venus Flytrap too much food. While Venus Flytraps do benefit from the nutrients provided by insects, overfeeding can actually be harmful to the plant. If a Venus Flytrap is fed too frequently or with insects that are too large, it can put a strain on the plant's resources and weaken the traps. Overfeeding can also cause the accumulation of undigested material in the traps, which can lead to rot and other problems. In general, it's best to let your Venus Flytrap catch insects on its own and supplement its diet with occasional feedings if desired. A healthy Venus Flytrap can thrive without regular feedings, as long as it's given the right growing conditions. If you do choose to feed your Venus Flytrap, it's important to select insects that are small enough to fit inside the traps and to feed the plant only once every few weeks or as needed. Avoid overfeeding and monitor the plant's traps to ensure that they remain healthy and strong. If you notice any signs of damage or stress, such as wilting or browning leaves, it's best to reduce or stop feedings and adjust the plant's growing conditions as needed.
Insufficient light is probably the cause. Venus Flytraps grow in full sun in nature and need very bright light when grown indoors. See the info about lighting in our Articles section.