FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

This is normal. As the plant grows, older leaves are replaced with new ones so the plant cuts off energy to the old ones causing them to turn black. Simply trim them off and remove them.
Insufficient light is probably the cause. See the info about lighting in our Articles section. Also, the humidity could be too high. Venus Flytraps do not like tropical conditions and need good air circulation. If there is a dome over the plant take it off!
A: Always remove any plastic dome from the plant. You may have to do this gradually over a period of a few days as the plant will be used to higher humidity. Lift the cup more and more each day until it is completely off after a week or so. Some nurseries will put these little plastic cups over the plants to help keep them from drying out while sitting on a store shelf but the plant will grow much stronger without it. No experienced carnivorous plant grower will grow their plants this way. This can also be used as a warning sign when shopping for fly traps. Plants under domes will tend to be softer, weaker and more prone to pests and disease.
A: It is generally recommended to remove the flowers from Venus flytraps to help conserve the plant's energy and prevent it from diverting resources away from the trap leaves. When a Venus flytrap produces flowers, it is diverting energy and resources away from producing new traps and capturing prey. In the wild, Venus flytraps only produce flowers when conditions are favorable, such as when they have ample access to water and nutrients. However, in cultivation, Venus flytraps may produce flowers more frequently due to the favorable growing conditions provided by their owners. If you want to prioritize the growth and health of your Venus flytrap, it is best to remove the flowers as soon as they appear. This will allow the plant to focus on producing new traps and capturing prey, which will help it grow and thrive. If you do decide to let the flowers remain, be aware that the plant may become weaker and produce fewer traps over time.
This can be caused by a few different things. It can happen if the humidity is too low, causing the leaves to dry out. Humidity should be kept between 40%-70%. It can also happen if minerals are building up in the soil. Either repot the plant or flush the soil several times with rain or distilled water.
My Venus Fly Trap leaves are just laying on the top of the soil and they won’t stand up. What’s wrong? The plant is probably in its Spring or Fall growth phase. During this time the plant makes leaves that lie flat against the ground and the traps are somewhat smaller. As the days get longer the new summer leaves will emerge. These are longer, stand more upright and have bigger traps.
The Venus Flytrap's natural predators include a variety of insects and spiders, such as ants, beetles, and spiders. However, because the Venus Flytrap is a carnivorous plant, it typically feeds on these types of insects rather than being preyed upon by them. In their natural habitat, the primary threats to Venus Flytraps come from habitat destruction, illegal collection, and poaching. Additionally, climate change and altered weather patterns can also negatively impact their survival.
Any small, soft-bodied insect can be used for food. Small crickets, spiders and flies will work well. If the food item is too large, it will rot before the plant can finish digesting it and the trap will turn black.
While Venus Flytraps are carnivorous plants that can capture and digest insects, they are not harmful to humans. Their traps are designed to capture small insects and will not cause any harm to humans. The trap may close on your finger if you touch it, but it will not cause any pain or injury. In fact, handling the traps too much or too roughly can damage the plant and cause it to lose its ability to catch insects. However, it's important to note that Venus Flytraps are sensitive plants that require specific care to thrive. If the plant is not getting the right conditions, it may become stressed and could eventually die. So while there's no harm in being "bitten" by a Venus Flytrap, it's important to handle the plant with care and give it the proper care it needs to stay healthy.
Venus Fly Traps grow out in full sun conditions in nature and require the same light levels in cultivation. If sunlight is not available, bright fluorescent light can be provided as a substitute. A minimum of 40 watts is needed and a day length no less than 14 hours should be given for optimum growth.