Venus fly trap is a carnivorous and very hardy perennial plants. They grow best in spring and in summer seasons. Venus fly trap is an easy growing plant, they can be grown indoors as well as outdoor. VFT doesn’t need much attention they grow well even if they are left alone outdoors.

Propagation of VFT

VFT are easy to germinate from seeds and it takes nearly 4 to 6 weeks to germinate. Purchase seeds and put them into the growing medium make sure not to plant them deeply into the soil. Keep the soil moist and ensure that the soil doesn’t dry out completely. For germination you should keep the temperature above 78 degree F up to 90 degree F. Once the seed germinate and set first two to three leaves, transplant them outdoors or in a container.

Planting VFT Indoors

Choose a right containers for planting VFT indoors. Container should be 4 inches to 5 inches in depth so that VFT roots get enough space to spread, grow healthier and better. Get insulated containers which will keep the temperature stable in hotter and colder seasons. It will also protect the soil from freezing in colder seasons.

Soil for VFT

Ensure you use only nutrient poor soil to grow Venus Flytraps. Use simply pure unenriched peat moss or long fiber sphagnum moss. Nutrient rich soils and fertilizer will burn the roots of VFT and the plant will die. You can also make soil using 5 parts of peat moss with 3 parts silica sand and 2 parts of perlite. Silica sand is also known as white sand, silica or quartz which helps with aeration and also forming healthy root system of the plant. Do not use regular potting soil to grow VFT or you will end up killing your plant.

Watering Venus Flytraps

Use only distilled, RO (reverse osmosis water) or rain water. Do not use any other water as the contaminates present in the water will kill the VFT or any other carnivorous plants. Always remember they should be watered only with distilled or rain water.

Feeding VFT

Let your plant catch their own food for themselves, keep them outside so that it will catch on its own. If it is not possible to keep outside then feed only small insects such as ants and bugs. Once the VFT trap an insects they will close their trap and it will take a lot of time to open its trap. Do not try to open the trap or you will damage the plant and make sure you do not feed them meatball.

Caring VFT on Dormant

Venus Flytraps are perennials so they go dormant in winter and grow back in spring. During dormant VFT looks weak as if they are died. Many more growers throw out the plant mistakenly thinking the plant has died. Dormant period last for three to five months in the winter season and the VFT shed their leaves, become weak, black and they stop growing.

During dormancy reduce watering VFT plants but make sure you do not dry out the soil completely. It’s better to water them only 2 -3 times per month. Keep the plants where they can receive low light such as in garages. Do not worry about the plants growing outdoors. They will die in winter and grow back in spring.

Caring VFT

Make sure the plant should be watered to make the soil wet. Do not allow the soil to get it completely dry out and not soggy or waterlogged. It is best to water the plant and allow the medium to dry until next watering. Keep the humidity level stable by placing a tray under the container this will help the plant to keep cool over summer and winter seasons.

Venus Fly Traps should receive at least 12 hours of light with a minimum of 4 hours of direct sunlight. The more light the plant receives the healthier it grows. If you are growing indoors make sure to place the plant near windowsill where they can get at least 4 hours of direct light. If sunlight is not possible for you then you can arrange artificial lights. VFT grows best under fluorescent lights and ensure that the plant get enough light to survive. Keep the plant under fluorescent grow lights as much as close at least within 8 inches of distance between the plant and the grow lights.

Repot your Venus fly trap yearly once and the method is very simple. Remove you plant from current pot and remove the soil from the roots and plant the VFT in a new container with nutrient poor soil. Do not plant the VFT deeply into the soil and ensure that you have completely covered the rhizome into the soil. Water the plant until the soil gets wet this will comfort the plant from root shock and to remove any air pockets from the soil.