Image - Wikimedia / Lythlady
La Dionaea muscipula, better known as Venus flytrapIt is very common to find it in nurseries, garden centers, and other specialized centers. It is a plant that attracts a lot of attention for its many traps, shaped like a mouth, and for the speed with which they close after a light touch.
This is one of the characteristics that most attracts the attention of adults and children, and that is why it is so popular in, I would say, anywhere in the world, but especially in hot regions.
Origin and characteristics of the Venus flytrap
Image - Wikimedia / David J. Stang
It lives in marshy lands in North America, specifically in the state of Carolina. It is formed by a rhizome from which rosette-shaped leaves grow at ground level.. Each trap consists of numerous teeth, and three "hairs" on the surface, which are activated if an insect touches them, closing the trap. Their diet is mainly made up of small insects, such as ants, flies, bees, mosquitoes ...
It does not usually exceed 3 centimeters in height, since their reconverted leaves in "mouths" grow horizontally, and not vertically. But if we talk about its diameter, it can be about 10 centimeters. But because of this, it is not only perfect for growing in small pots, but it is also very interesting to use it to create beautiful compositions of carnivorous plants.
In spring, from the center of the plant, one or more flower stalks about 20 centimeters high sprout, at the end of which a beautiful white flower will appear, about 1 centimeter in diameter.
Many have been made types of cultivars Dionaea muscipula: some with red traps, others with large traps, and so on.
What are the care that must be given?
La Dionaea muscipula it is a carnivore that, well cared for, can live perfectly for several years. But, what cares are those? If you have just purchased one or it has been given to you, and you are not very clear about what to do to keep it in good condition, we recommend that you follow the advice that we are going to offer you below:
Location
- Body exterior:: it is best if it is grown outside the home, in semi-shade. You can give it direct sun for a while, but only when it has gotten used to the climate of the area and your care. Coming from the nursery you should not expose it directly to the star king, since it would burn.
- Interior: the room in which you are going to put your dionea must have a lot of clarity, coming from the sunlight. In the event that you do not have any such, we advise you to buy a lamp for plants (like this one they sell here).
Irrigation
Always water it with distilled, rain or osmosis water. In summer it will be convenient to water it, as a general rule, every other day, but as I said, the frequency of irrigation will vary according to many factors (climate, rainfall, location ...).
It is recommended, if we are not sure, take the pot: if it weighs little, then we will water abundantly. It can be placed (in fact, it is advisable during the summer season) on a tray or on a plate.
Pot and substrate
Image - Wikimedia / che
The Venus flytrap is a plant that must be grown in plastic pots that have holes in their base. Likewise, this has to be filled with blond peat mixed with perlite in equal parts.
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Do not fertilize carnivorous plants. They feed on the insects they hunt. If they were fertilized, their roots would suffer significant damage and would not survive.
Transplant
Being a small plant, it will need one or a maximum of two pot changes throughout its life. You have to do it when you see that roots are coming out of the drainage holes, or when it has produced so many leaves that it cannot continue to grow. The right time will be spring, although it can also be done in early summer.
Multiplication
It multiplies by seeds in spring or summer. To do this, you have to sow them in plastic pots with brown peat or esphagnum moss, and water with distilled or rain water.
Put the seedbed in semi-shade, and keep the substrate moist. In this way, they will germinate in about 10 days.
Plagues and diseases
It usually doesn't. Maybe a mealybug if the summer is being very hot and dry, but it is quick to remove with a small brush or by hand.
Hibernation
It is a plant that needs to hibernate. When the temperature drops below 10º we will see how the aerial part (the leaves) starts to get ugly. Its normal. We will space out the irrigations (they can be reduced to about three monthly irrigations, as a general rule, until temperatures rise again and we will continue to irrigate according to the needs of the plant). It can be allowed to hibernate outside if the temperature does not drop below four degrees below zero..
If we live in a tropical climate, then we will have no choice but to remove the Venus flytrap from the pot, carefully remove all the substrate, add a little fungicide, wrap them with a wet napkin, and put them in a tupperware, in the fridge, about two months. After this time, we will plant it in a pot with new substrate, composed of blond peat y fifty percent pearlite, o sphagnum.
Rusticity
It is a plant that supports the cold, and it is not harmed by weak frosts. Its suitable temperature range is between 30-35ºC maximum and -2ºC minimum., but it can hold up to -4ºC if it is a little sheltered.
However, it will not live in tropical climates, because it would not hibernate unless it was kept in the fridge for a few months as we have explained above.
With these simple cares, we can enjoy our carnivore for a long time.
Where to buy?
Image - Flickr / rpphotos
Get it by clicking here.
Hello, I have been given a Venus flytrap and it is January, if the plant is modified to be marketed in winter, do I have to put it to hibernate next year?
Thanks and greetings, your article was very useful 🙂
Hello Paco!
It is better to start hibernating this year. It is something that you need to then be able to grow well the rest of the year.
Greetings, and thanks to you for following us 🙂
Hola!
I have had a Venus for about 10 months but it has started to get very strange, new leaves are born but they do not develop, I live in a place with a super hot climate, we have no seasons. I don't know if it must be because of the hibernation, and if so what can I do or what?
Thank you!.
Hello Maria.
The Venus flytrap needs to spend at least two months a bit cold (down to -2ºC). If in your area the temperatures do not vary much from one season to another, I recommend that you remove the soil from the roots carefully, then apply liquid fungicide, and finally wrap them with a damp napkin. Once you have it done, put it in a zip-lock bag, or if you prefer, in a tupperware, and put it in the fridge for 8 weeks.
Check it out from time to time to see how it goes. If you see the leaves turn black, it is normal. When you plant it again, it will sprout normally.
A greeting.
Hello Monica, soon I will have a Venus flytrap and I want to know what type of soil is ideal to take care of it and everything related to the plant
Hello Voctor.
The Venus flytrap needs a substrate composed of peat moss mixed with 20-30% perlite.
Put it in full sun and water it frequently with rain or osmosis water. In summer you can put a plate under it and fill it up; but the rest of the year it is more advisable to take it off and water 2 or 3 times a week.
Greetings 🙂.
Hello, it is the first time that I buy a Venus flytrap and I need to take it to Cancun, how can I take it?
Hi Aitana.
You can take the Venus flytrap in a pot, inside a tupperware for example. But you have to know that it needs to spend a few cold months, so if you go to Cancun you should keep it in the fridge at about 6ºC without soil for 2 months a year.
Here explains how to do it. All the best.
Hi Monica, I just bought a Venus flytrap, I'm in Mexico City but in two weeks I will return to my house in the state of Veracruz .. there it will be necessary to have it in water all the time as explained here? and keep putting it in the sun, because it is very hot
Hi Edi.
Yes, in the hottest season they need a constant supply of water, and it is better to have it with a dish underneath at all times.
To avoid heat stroke, the ideal is to put it in semi-shade.
A greeting.
Hello Monica, good evening ,, it is the first time that I have been public ,,, I bought a Venus, I am from Mexico City .. how can I take care of my plant, since it is a child, and its teeth are closed .. !! Greetings
Hello Monica,
I have a Venus flytrap and this season it is very cold, the leaves started to turn black, I changed the pot and put water on it. Regarding the explanation you give, my question is whether it would be necessary to take it out of the pot and keep it in the refrigerator, or what advice do you give me since I don't want my plant to die.
First of all, Thanks
Hi Azucena.
If you live in an area where the temperature drops to -3ºC in winter, you can have it outside all year round; if it goes lower, it is better to protect it indoors (in a pot), in a cold room; and if you live in a warmer area, then you will have to keep it in the fridge.
A greeting.
Hello, how are you? They just gave me a Venus, it is very small, it looks like a bud of leaves, it comes with a label that has the following instructions:
You must keep the land in which I live moist, but without flooding, you can water me with normal water. Don't let the sun shine on me directly, but make sure I have as much indirect light as possible.
My question is whether, being so small, can it receive direct sunlight or not ', as you mentioned, or if it is not advisable. I live in the state of guerrero, the average climate per year is from 20 ° to 26 ° C.
Thank you.
Hello, Enrique.
No, if it is so small it is better to have it in semi-shade. When it is a little older you can gradually get it used to the sun.
A greeting.
I live in Argentina I bought a Venus flytrap in November it had been growing barbaric until only the leaves grew and did not develop after the black leaves began to put, it is in a window since I buy it where the sun hits it until noon. What do I need to do so that I don't die
Hi Magali.
It occurs to me that it might be burning. You are there in spring, so the sun begins to heat up considerably more than in winter.
I recommend you protect it from direct sun, and cut the black leaves.
A greeting.
Hello!
I have a Venus flytrap whose leaves began to turn black and the new ones that grew too
And also by accident I cut the root and the part that had more leaves has a small piece of root and one leaf has all the rest, I would like to know if the root will grow again or if it no longer
Thank you!
Hello Omar.
Carnivores have very delicate roots 🙁
From what you say, your plant is going to have a lot of difficulty moving forward.
Put it in semi-shade, and water it with rainwater, distilled or suitable for human consumption of very weak mineralization.
And to wait.
Good luck!
hello!
I have a venus flytrap plant and I am in December, and it is winter but there is a lot of sun and I put it all day in direct sun with a stopper with water and from what I see some leaves turned black and I started them, and investigated and said that it was part of the season and I ripped them off. but I want to know what is your care in this season. THANK YOU!!!
Hello Francisco.
If it has never been in the sun -not even in the nursery-, I recommend putting it in semi-shade since otherwise it will continue to burn.
In winter you have to water it little: once or twice a week, and only if it does not rain. Use rainwater, lime-free or distilled.
In the event that the temperature does not drop below -2ºC, you can have it outside all year; otherwise you must protect it inside the house.
A greeting.
Hello, good afternoon, I bought a Venus about a month ago but the leaves are born and do not develop, the part of the trap turns black. I think I'm going overboard with the water, I have it indoors without giving it the sun, because I thought that was what made them turn black
Hello Caro.
Are you in the northern or southern hemisphere? If you are in the northern hemisphere, it is normal for the leaves and traps to turn black from the cold now. Do not worry.
Whether you are in the northern or southern hemisphere, you must water it from below, using the tray or plate method: you have to add a little distilled or osmosis water (never use the tap unless it is pure , as it would suffer damage) every time you see it empty. During the winter it will be 1-2 times a week, and the rest of the year every 1-2 days or so, depending on the conditions.
Greetings and happy new year.
Hello, thanks for the information. I bought my Venus two months ago and it has developed very well but now it is blooming, do you recommend that I cut it? I have seen that sometimes they dry out when they come out. Thanks!
Hello Tania.
No, don't take it off. Plants -all- spend enormous energy to produce flowers, since thanks to them they have the opportunity to 'create' a new generation (seeds). Although it is difficult for a cultivated venus flytrap to produce seeds, it is best not to cut them. When they dry, then yes.
Greetings.
I use demineralized water. And it's hot. I have it inside my room there is a ceiling fan. And I also wanted to ask if it is convenient to buy carnivorous plants through the free market?
Hello Alejandro.
From what you say, the fan may be causing your plant to be bad.
It should not give any draft, as this dries out the leaves and their traps.
If you can, I recommend you take it outside, and put it in semi-shade.
These plants are better to buy in specialized sites, or individuals as long as they understand carnivores. It is because they need a specific water and type of land, if they are acquired in other places it can happen that they will die in a short time.
Regards!
Hello, they just gave me a Venus flytrap and I am looking for a place in my house and I have a place where I think it would be good only that this place is in a window a bit far from the stove I wonder if the heat from the stove would affect it
Hi Azael.
If it is a little far away, it does not have to affect you, but it is better that there are no air conditioning or heating devices in the room.
Greetings.
Hello, I am from Argentina, I have a Venus which all the traps died and it is only growing two. Will it survive? Since all his traps died except those that are growing. I would also like to know what pot number I need to just transplant once.
Hello Alejandro.
What type of water do you use to irrigate? When you have a carnivorous plant it is important to use distilled or rain water, since the others are not suitable.
By the way, how often do you water it? I ask you because it would not be good if it had a plate under it always with water, because its roots rot.
In any case, if you are in the northern hemisphere now it is normal for the traps to die, since the plant goes to rest.
As for the pot, you can use one with a diameter of 8,5cm. As substrate mix blond peat with perlite in equal parts.
Regards!