Venus fly traps have become very popular at garden centers near me in the last few years. As soon as I saw this mythical plant, I knew I had to have one. Turns out they are not as scary as I imagined them to be as a child, but they are pretty fascinating. They can also be a bit finicky to take care of, so I’ve put together this guide of how to care for a Venus fly trap, to share my tips that have helped me to help my Venus fly trap thrive.
How much light do Venus fly traps need?
Light requirements for Venus fly traps very by season. In the fall and winter, you should allow your Venus fly trap to hibernate- this means no grow lights. Placing your Venus fly trap by a cool window should be completely fine. In the spring and summer, Venus fly traps need a little more light to thrive. I gave my Venus fly trap a grow light in the spring, to help it grow some fresh traps. In the summer, I moved it to a window, and the natural daylight provided it enough sunlight to continue thriving until the fall.
How much water do Venus fly traps need?
Venus fly traps are very thirsty! They originate from a very marshy area, and are used to always being wet. You should keep your Venus fly trap sitting in a dish of water at all times. The plant will not require nearly as much water in the fall and winter, but during summer, Venus fly traps use a LOT of water. I leave mine sitting in a tray of water, and last summer I topped it up nearly every day. I rarely, if ever, water it from the top. The Venus fly trap seems to know exactly how much water it needs to drink if you just let it sit in water.
Do I need to fertilize my Venus fly trap?
In short, no! Venus fly traps will get extra nutrition when they catch and digest flies, making fertilizer unnecessary. They don’t need flies to survive though; if your plant isn’t catching any, don’t feel pressured to ‘feed’ it. You can always give it a bit of fertilizer in the summer to supplement it.
Other Venus fly trap care tips
I know it’s tempting to poke your finger into a trap and have it snap shut on you. Don’t do it! Venus fly traps expend energy every time they close a trap, and if they don’t get any nutrients after the trap closes, it can weaken the plant. Avoid the temptation!
It can be a bit difficult for a Venus fly trap to thrive. It is important when purchasing one to make sure that you select a plant that is as healthy as possible. When shopping for a Venus fly trap, look for one with the largest traps possible. From my experience, Venus fly traps with large traps have a better chance of surviving! Large traps = a more mature plant, and more room to catch bigger flies (AKA more nutrition).
