The fascinating plant Dionaea muscipula, better known as Venus flytrap, is one of the plant lovers and is a real specialty. As an easy-care rarity, the insectivorous beauty is an ideal plant for children and an attraction on the sunny windowsill for years. The Dionaeaa muscipula belongs to the carnivores, the plants that feed on insects and therefore do not need any fertilizer. The sunnier the location, the better the plant develops, whereby an even soil moisture must be guaranteed. The ingenious catching mechanism allows the plant to selectively distinguish whether it is a passing animal or a raindrop. The plant can open and close its leaves about ten times a day. After successful capture, the plant needs up to 3 days,

Worth knowing Location Care Watering Fertilizing Repotting Overwintering Pests & Diseases FAQ

Interesting facts about the Venus Flytrap

Botanical name: Dionaea muscipula Other names: Venus flytrap, carnivorous plant, carnivore, fly trap Use: houseplant, plant for glass jars Origin: North American states of North and South Carolina and Florida Flowers: appears in spring on a stalk up to 50 cm high, white and filigree Special features: As a representative of the sundew family, it has not lost its appeal to this day. The commercially available plants come exclusively from horticultural culture. The carnivorous (flesh-eating) plant originates from areas with nutrient-poor soil and has created an additional source of nitrogen for itself through the ability to catch and digest insects. The transformed leaves serve as a catching organ and function like a catching iron. If an insect touches the open fangs,

In which location does the Venus flytrap feel most comfortable?

Venus flytraps prefer a very sunny spot in the room. Only in full sunlight do the special plants develop a bright red leaf color and form large new traps. From the end of May to the end of August, the refined plant can be placed outdoors in a sheltered spot in full sun.

Our gardening tip: If the place is too dark for the Venus flytrap, they only form small traps that usually remain green.

How do I care for my Venus Flytrap?

Caring for the Venus Flytrap is quite simple. Essential for the exotic insect catcher are:

• a sunny location
• even soil moisture

a high humidity

In addition to the right site conditions, hardly any care measures are necessary. Dead foliage and flower stalks are removed. Repotting is only necessary if the plants have grown too large. Fertilization is not necessary.

How do I properly water my Venus Flytrap?

The carnivorous plant requires an evenly moist substrate. It is best if the plant is in a saucer that is filled with water. In this way, the plant draws the water from the soil and is well cared for. The otherwise harmful waterlogging of indoor plants is appreciated by the Venus flytrap, because high humidity promotes the vitality of the plant. Watering from above is not tolerated by the rarity and should be avoided to avoid rot. It is best to water with low-lime water, but also with rainwater at room temperature. During the winter, the substrate is only kept moderately moist.

How do I fertilize my Venus Flytrap?

Like most carnivorous plants, the Venus flytrap is a downright weak eater. Fertilization is not necessary, because the exotic plant obtains the necessary nutrients exclusively from the claws of the collapsing catching organs.

How do I repot my Venus Flytrap?

The Venus flytrap makes only low demands on the substrate. Repotting in a mixture of potting soil and sand is only necessary if the previous pot has become too small and the plant grows over the edge of the pot. The rooted plant is carefully removed from the pot and placed in a larger pot. At the bottom of the new pot should be a layer of expanded clay for drainage. Repotting in early spring is ideal.

Our gardening tip: When repotting, the houseplant can also be divided. Here, the rhizomes are carefully separated from the mother plant and planted in individual pots. More frequent watering is necessary until the young sections have formed new roots.

How do I overwinter my Venus Flytrap?

When newly formed Venus flytrap traps become smaller and no longer colored red, the time has come for hibernation. This process usually happens in autumn and the plants adjust to the resting phase. A bright winter quarters with constant temperatures of 5 to 10 °C is ideal. Unheated staircases or basement windows with sufficient incidence of light are suitable. Drafts and large temperature fluctuations should be avoided.

During the winter, the potted plant is only watered at intervals of 2 to 3 weeks and excess water is poured off. Even if the plant looks dried up, hibernation is important and the rhizome, which behaves similarly to a tuber or bulb, ensures that it will sprout again in spring. From March the carnivorous plant can move back to a sunny and warm place and after just a few weeks new leaves will sprout from the rootstock.

What Pests and Diseases Can the Venus Flytrap Get?

Venus fly traps are special indoor plants that are very rarely attacked by diseases and pests in the optimal location. The following pests and diseases can occur with the Venus flytrap:

spider mites

The affected leaves have silvery dots on the upper side and webs are visible on the underside of the leaves. The infestation often occurs in winter when the indoor air is warm and dry. Increasing the humidity and strengthening with organic active agents help very well. The natural plant extracts of the organic active agent serve to revitalize the plant.

aphids

Especially in phases with less light and less growth, Venus flytraps are more susceptible to aphid infestation. Check your plants regularly. Rinse the plants thoroughly with water at the first infestation. This first measure usually helps. Then strengthen the plant with a plant strengthener. In this way, the immune system is strengthened in a natural way.

gray mold

A grey, mold-like coating appears on the leaves. With a plant strengthener you strengthen the plant’s defenses and the fungus occurs less frequently.

FAQ — Frequently Asked Questions about the Venus Flytrap

What can be the reason for brown leaves on Venus flytrap?

Too dark, cold location and too much water are usually the causes of brown leaves.

How can Venus flytraps be propagated?

The easiest way to propagate Venus fly traps is to divide overgrown plants. The best time is in March. To do this, take the plant out of the pot, carefully pull the plant apart and plant each section. Sowing is also a way to increase carnivores. It is important to note that the seeds are so-called cold germs and therefore only germinate after a cooling phase.

Why do Venus Flytraps grow sparsely?

The reasons for poor growth are usually too dark a location and too little sunshine.

Do Venus flytraps need to be fed?

The fascinating houseplant is capable of scavenging sufficient prey. Additional feeding can be an exciting spectacle, but does not have to be regular. It is important to know that when dead insects are fed, the trap closes, but digestion does not start because the trapped animals do not move. The trapping flaps then open after a day, the insect lies inside undigested and the plant has used up the energy uselessly. Therefore, it is advisable that feeding is done only with live insects.

What insects does the Venus flytrap eat?

In addition to flies, spiders, ants and even bees and wasps are caught and digested by the trapping leaves.

How does the Venus flytrap know that an insect is touching the bristles and not a raindrop or leaf?

The touching bristles on the inside of the leaf are touched several times by possible prey, causing the catching mechanism to react. With a leaf or a raindrop there is no multiple contact and thus no closing of the catching leaves.

How often can the Venus Flytrap use its traps to catch?

The digestion process can take place three times per trap, then the trap dies.

What does the Venus flytrap flower look like?

The filigree white flowers sit on a stem up to 30 cm high, which looks very interesting and is due to the fact that the distance between the flower pile and the catching organs ensures that the pollinating insects are not accidentally caught.