Venus flytrap care guide
Dionaea muscipula
Also known as: Venus's flytrap, Dionaea
Pets and children
We haven't been able to confirm how this plant affects pets or small children. If any is eaten, consult a veterinarian or a doctor.
How often to water Venus flytrap
- Spring–Summer (Mar–Sep)
- Every day
- Grow it standing in a tray of water and keep the tray from drying: check about daily, and in summer change the water every two to three days so it does not overheat.
- Autumn (Oct–Nov)
- Every 2 days
- Keep the tray going; it drops more slowly now, so top up about every two to three days.
- Winter (Dec–Feb)
- Every 3 days
- Even in dormancy it must not dry out: keep a shallow tray and check it about every three to four days.
Light and placement for Venus flytrap
As a guide, full sun outdoors from spring to fall, since without strong light the traps generally stay green and small; in midsummer shade just the pot so the tray water does not cook.
Overwintering Venus flytrap
Overwintering guide: −3°C (27°F) or above
Give it a cold rest at about 0 to 5°C as a guide: leave it outdoors in its tray out of direct frost, and though the leaves shrink and blacken, it generally resprouts in spring; a warm room denies it dormancy and weakens it.
Fertilizing and repotting Venus flytrap
Fertilizer
As a guide, no fertilizer at all: nutrients in fertilizer or ordinary potting soil generally damage the roots, and it needs no feeding, catching its own insects outdoors.
When to repot
Winter (Dec–Feb)
Common problems with Venus flytrap
- Kept in a dim room, the leaves grow thin and it fades away.
- Triggering the traps for fun wears the plant out.
- Wintered in a warm room, it skips dormancy and dies the next year.
- One dry spell with an empty tray is enough to kill it.
Tips for growing Venus flytrap
- Pot it in sphagnum or a peat-based mix, not ordinary potting soil.
- Blackened traps are just old ones dying; new growth means it is healthy.
- The spring flower stalk drains the plant, so cut it off early.
These are AI-generated general guidelines. They vary with the variety, the placement and the pot size. For effects on pets or children, consult a veterinarian or a doctor.
Keep your plant log going
Greenery is a free app that keeps your plant care going, with watering reminders and photo records. Available on iOS and Android.
