Omari Gates
The Venus flytrap, a carnivorous plant native to North and South Carolina, is a fun and fascinating plant to own. Named after the Roman goddess of love, Venus, this plant is a great way to get children interested in horticulture. With its ability to catch and digest insects, it is a true oddity of nature. In this article, we will be discussing how to look after a Venus flytrap in Australia, covering topics such as climate, soil, watering, feeding, and more, to ensure your plant thrives.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Various colours, part leaf, part trap |
| Climate | All except arid and semi-arid |
| Soil | Moisture-retaining, acidic pH |
| Position | Full sun, at least 4 hours of direct sunlight daily |
| Flowering | Flowers appear in spring |
| Feeding | Live insects only |
| Watering | Bottom-water only, rainwater or demineralised water |
| Trap mechanism | Two hairs need to be touched within 20 seconds for the trap to close |
| Trap capacity | Each trap can close 3-5 times |
| Pruning | Dead leaves only |
| Propagation | By division in spring |
| Pot | Wide pot, up to twice the size of the plant for added humidity |
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What You'll Learn
Soil and water requirements
Venus flytraps require a specific soil composition to thrive. In the wild, they grow in bogland and savannahs, which are low in the nitrogen required to build proteins. As such, they grow best in damp, slightly acidic soil. The soil should be moisture-retaining, with an acidic pH. When it comes to re-potting, experts recommend a variety of DIY blends, but simple peat moss will also do the trick. It is important to ensure that the soil does not contain any fertilisers, as these will kill the plant.
Venus flytraps can be grown in a wide range of pots, but wider pots are preferable as they increase the humidity around the plant. The pots should be filled with a low-nutrient quality growing medium, such as Yates Seed Raising Mix with some sphagnum moss mixed in. To further assist with moisture retention, you can mix in some Yates Waterwise Water Storage Crystals.
Venus flytraps also have specific water requirements. They should be kept moist, but not wet. They should be kept in a shallow water tray, and the water should be rainwater or demineralised water. In winter, when the plant's growth will stop and the leaves may turn black, the plant should be kept damp. In spring, normal watering can resume, and the plant should be kept sitting in water from spring until autumn.
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Feeding and fertilising
Venus flytraps are carnivorous plants that require live prey to feed on. They typically consume small insects such as flies, spiders, beetles, crickets, and slugs. It is important to ensure that the insects are no larger than a third of the size of the trap. You can purchase freeze-dried or dried blood worms from pet stores to feed your plant as well.
When feeding your Venus flytrap, it is essential to remember that movement triggers digestion. The plant requires the movement of live prey to stimulate digestion. If you are providing dead prey, you can gently touch a small paintbrush to the inside of the trap to mimic the movement of live prey and trigger the trap to close. It is important not to play with the traps just for fun, as each trap can only close a limited number of times, and doing so wastes the plant's energy.
The traps on the Venus flytrap are modified leaves that serve as its feeding mechanism. These traps should be fed regularly, typically once every two to four weeks, or once a week according to some sources. It is safe to feed the same traps repeatedly, as they will naturally die after repeated digestion and be replaced by new ones.
It is important to note that Venus flytraps should not be fed with fertiliser or meat, including chicken, steak, sausage, or hot dogs. Anything containing nitrogen can be harmful or even fatal to the plant.
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Light and temperature
Venus flytraps require a significant amount of light and moderate temperatures to thrive. Here are some detailed instructions on providing the optimal light and temperature conditions for your Venus flytrap in Australia:
Light:
Venus flytraps need a minimum of six hours of bright, indirect sunlight daily. Place your plant in an east-facing window, if possible, to take advantage of the morning sun, which is less intense than the afternoon sun. You can also use artificial grow lights to supplement natural light during
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Common misconceptions
Venus flytraps are hardy plants that are surprisingly easy to grow. However, there are many misconceptions about their care, which often lead to the plant's demise. Here are some common misconceptions debunked:
- Swamp-like conditions: Venus flytraps do not thrive in swamp-like conditions with excess water and humidity. They prefer well-drained soil that dries out between waterings. While they like access to water, their growing medium should not be sopping wet all the time.
- Terrariums: Venus flytraps are often thought to do well in terrariums due to the higher humidity. However, they actually perform poorly in these enclosed environments. The lack of air movement in terrariums allows fungus, mould, and bacteria to thrive on the plant, leading to its sickness and eventual death. Venus flytraps need fresh air and air movement, so they should be placed outdoors, as long as the conditions are not freezing or too hot.
- Frequent feeding: Venus flytraps can make their own food from sunlight through photosynthesis. While they enjoy the occasional bug as a treat, they do not need to be fed regularly. Overfeeding can lead to trap exhaustion and the plant's energy being wasted.
- Artificial food: Feeding Venus flytraps human food, such as hamburger meat, is not recommended. Their diet should consist of live prey, such as flies, spiders, crickets, and slugs. Dried bloodworms, available at pet stores, can also be used as a reliable food source.
- No pruning: While Venus flytraps have low pruning requirements, they do require dead leaves to be removed. Pruning helps keep the plant tidy and healthy.
- Constant moisture: While Venus flytraps prefer moist soil, they do not need to be kept constantly wet. During their winter dormancy, they require less water, and the compost should be allowed to dry out slightly.
- No sunlight: Venus flytraps need direct sunlight to grow well. Insufficient sunlight will result in weak and spindly leaves. A bright, sunny windowsill is ideal for indoor plants.
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![LeGrow Venus Fly Trap Pot, 50000lux Grow Light with Timer, 7 Days Watering Free, Indoor Planter with Drainage Hole & Self-Watering Tray for Carnivorous Plant, Sundew, Succulent, Cactus [No Plant]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/815AC495o7L._AC_UL320_.jpg)
Trimming and pruning
When pruning your Venus flytrap, only remove what is necessary—never more than 30% of the plant at once. The key is to prune sparingly, focusing on removing only the dead or yellowing parts that hinder healthy growth. Dead leaves and traps can drain resources from the healthier parts of the plant. Look for brown, black, or overly mushy textures, which are signs of decay or disease, and cut them at the base with sharp, sterilized scissors. Make your cuts just above the leaf nodes at a 45-degree angle to facilitate healing and new growth.
After pruning, your Venus flytrap will need time to recover. New growth is a sign that the plant is healing well. If progress seems slow, reassess the basics: light and water. Avoid fertilizing until your plant shows signs of bouncing back.
It is important to note that pruning during the plant's winter dormancy should be avoided, as it interrupts the plant's restorative sleep. The ideal pruning season is from spring to early summer, aligning with the plant's natural growth spurt, making it more resilient to trimming.
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Frequently asked questions
Venus flytraps can be grown indoors in a sunny spot, such as a windowsill, if the climate is unsuitable outdoors. They require at least four hours of direct sunlight daily and thrive in humidity. In very hot regions, they may need protection from the afternoon sun.
The soil should be moisture-retaining and slightly acidic. Avoid using soil with extra fertilisers as this will kill the plant.
Keep the soil moist, not wet. The plant should sit in a shallow tray of water from spring until autumn. In winter, the plant's growth will slow and the leaves may turn black, so keep it damp during this period.
Venus flytraps should only be fed live insects. They can be manually fed small insects if kept indoors.
