The Venus flytrap is the world's most famous carnivorous plant

This fascinating plant has developed a unique mechanism where the leaves are divided into two halves that quickly snap together when prey touches the sensitive sensor hairs on the inside.

Each trap has distinct red areas inside that attract insects, and when two sensor hairs are touched within 20 seconds, the trap snaps shut in less than a second. If the prey continues to move, the edges close and digestive enzymes are produced, much like a 'plant stomach'.

The plant forms a rosette of 4-20 leaves that grow from an underground stem. During the summer it can produce white flowers on long stalks that extend above the traps. These flowers should be tended in early spring or the flytrap will put a lot of energy into producing seeds.

Botanical description

Dionaea muscipula belongs to the Droseraceae family (sunflowers) but has developed a unique trapping mechanism compared to its relatives. The species is endemic to a very small area on the east coast of the United States, mainly the wetlands around Wilmington, North Carolina.

In nature, the Venus flytrap grows in nutrient-poor, acidic wetlands and peat bogs, where it compensates for the low nutrient availability in the soil by capturing and digesting insects. This provides the plant with extra nitrogen and phosphorus needed for growth.

The species has evolved from other dewdrops but has lost its sticky tentacles in favor of a spectacular folding mechanism. Each trap can only be closed a limited number of times before it dies and is replaced by new traps.

Care

The Venus flytrap requires special conditions to thrive. Keep the soil constantly moist by placing the pot in a saucer of water.

Place the plant in full sun or a very bright location. It needs at least 4-6 hours of direct sunlight per day to develop its red traps and stay healthy. During the winter, the plant needs a rest period with cooler temperatures (2-8°C) for 3-4 months. The flytrap is hardy down to -5 degrees.

Use nutrient-poor soil such as sphagnum moss mixed with perlite or sand. Never fertilize the plant with regular plant fertilizer as this will damage the roots. The Venus flytrap gets all the nutrition it needs from the insects it catches.

Let the plant catch its own prey naturally or feed it sparingly with live flies or ants. Do not feed more than 1-2 traps per month and never use meat or regular food. Buy the carnivorous plant Venus fly trap online!