Carnivorous Plants - Venus Fly Traps

The Venus Fly Trap, or scientifically known as Dionaea Muscipula, is a carnivorous plant originating in the bogs of the Carolina's. This one-of-a-kind plant preys on small insects, closing them in their "trap" to later be digested. Each trap is lined with tiny hairs, acting as triggers to the trap. When stimulated, the traps will close and their hair-like cilia will intertwine to keep their prey from escaping. 

Venus Fly Traps require a growing medium with no nutrients, their roots are sensitive to high nutrients and will burn as a result. Do not use regular garden soil, potting soil, etc. Avoid fertilizing as this will also cause burning. For this reason, it is recommended to grow Venus Fly Traps in a sphagnum-based soil. Pure peat moss or straight sphagnum moss is the best growing medium for these. 

As with soil, you want your water to be low in nutrients. Tap water is not healthy for Venus Fly Traps as there are many minerals that are lethal to fly traps within that water. Distilled water, reverse-osmosis, or simply rainwater presents themselves as the best water for these specimens. The soil should be kept evenly moist, never soggy. Never let the soil dry out! The easiest way to ensure you are watering appropriately is with the tray watering method. To do this, set your pot of Venus Fly Traps (with drainage holes) in a saucer filled with water slightly under the top of the pot. The fly trap will absorb water as needed, continue to refill saucer. 

Venus Fly Traps need a minimum of 12 hours of light during their active growing season. The more direct light they have, the healthier they will be. To achieve this, the best location is outside. As most Venus Fly Traps you will purchase are grown in greenhouses, we recommend that you allow your plant to acclimate to these direct sun rays and do not immediately set in the sun. Spots with shade from the most intense part of the day is recommended to avoid burning and drying out. 

1. You need to feed your Venus Fly Traps insects or meat - Venus Fly Traps make their own food using chlorophyll from the sun. They may enjoy insects, but they do not NEED it. If your fly traps are eating insects, it will be normal for the trap to turn black and die off. Do not worry for new ones will grow. Many people like to try and feed their traps hamburger meat, this is NOT something you want to do. 
2. Venus Fly Traps are dangerous - Although there seems to be belief that the traps of a fly trap will hurt you, this is in fact false. No, they will not be singing "feeeed me seymourrr" either. However, we don't recommend sticking your finger in the trap, as this takes energy away from the fly trap and gives no energy in return.
3. Venus Fly Traps must remain waterlogged because they come from "swamps" - Fly Traps are Native to the Carolina's where they have WELL-DRAINED soil on the surface and a water tabe below, keeping the roots moist. If you keep your fly traps in soggy, swamp-like conditions they will be more prone to disease and rot.