Venus Flytrap

Dionaea muscipula

Family

Droseraceae

Origin

North/South Carolina, USA

Difficulty

Advanced

Sunlight

Full sun (4+ hours direct)

Water

Keep soil wet with distilled water

Temperature

5-35°C (needs cold dormancy)

Soil

Peat/sand mix, no fertilizer

Flowering

White flower clusters in spring

Height

8-15cm

The Venus Flytrap is one of the most fascinating carnivorous plants, with hinged trap leaves that snap shut when insects touch trigger hairs. Each trap can close about 3-4 times before dying.

🌱Care Guide

Use ONLY distilled or rainwater. Keep soil constantly wet. Provide full sun. Never fertilize. Allow winter dormancy (cool temperatures, reduced light).

🧬Evolution & History

Dionaea muscipula is native to a 160km radius around Wilmington, North Carolina. It evolved in nutrient-poor bogs where it supplements nutrition by trapping and digesting insects. Each trap evolved from a modified leaf.

💡Fun Facts

#1Traps snap shut in 1/10th of a second
#2Only native to a small area in the Carolinas
#3Each trap closes about 3-4 times
#4Requires winter dormancy to survive

❓FAQ

Why are the traps turning black?▼

Individual traps naturally die after 3-4 closures. New traps grow from the center. Also, black traps in winter may indicate dormancy.

Can I feed it hamburger?▼

No! Only feed live insects. Dead food won't trigger the digestion process and will rot. The plant can survive without feeding — photosynthesis provides energy.

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