Ultimate Venus Flytrap Care Guide

This is the Ultimate Venus flytrap care guide! Damon will share all of the care tips from our 30 years as a working nursery, Peter's knowledge from the Savage Garden, and growing thousands of flytraps! Check out our Venus flytrap playlist for even more!
To make it more useful, we are adding the timestamps of each section here:
2:10 Native Habitat
3:56 Unpacking Your Plant
9:13 Light
15:46 Water
23:33 Soil
26:35 Temperature and Dormancy
31:14 Food and Fertilizer
40:03 Flowering
45:05 Potting
49:45 Conservation
53:45 More Resources

[@timmattern7488]

This is unbelievably informative. If you watch only ONE video on Venus Flytrap care and best-practices, THIS is the one.

[@xxpowwowbluexx]

Wouldn’t it be crazy if the VFT sculpture in the background was a real plant?

[@Chloe-dn2hn]

I was about to ask if they have to feed small animals to the VFT behind him 😱

[@midnightwaterfairy]

Omg righttt I am so curious is that a regular Venus flytrap just super old ???

[@Jar0fMay0]

It's a Venus Squirrel Trap

[@zzippo81]

So have you ever bumped your head on a palm or other branch? Imagine going face first into that.

[@james13914]

It has to be real? Haha

[@xxdemonicaxxofficial]

The Savage Garden book has been my carnivorous plants bible. I've learned so much from it. I mainly grow Venus Flytraps so I truly enjoyed this video. Thank you Damon and CalCarn staff for putting this video together.

[@ZazuBirdandMe]

I love this

[@djowen23]

Where did you buy the book I would like the purchase one as well And I love the name the "Savage Garden book"

[@batteryweasel]

@@djowen23 It's on amazon. Peter d'Amato literally wrote the book on keeping carnivorous plants, and he also owns California Carnivores.

[@Tommyr]

Great video Damon and crew! For dormancy I do the fridge method and have been doing it for 14 years with not one single loss. Here's how I do it: in mid - October (zone 6) once the plants are well into the start of dormancy I drain off excess water from the pots, hit them with a SULFUR based fungicide and place in zip lock bags and pop them in the fridge for 3 - 3 1/2 months. I occasionally check them (once a month) for fungus and hit with the fungicide if needed. Late winter around February 1st I take them out and clean them up, repot any that need it, hit them with SULFUR based fungicide again and place them under white 'daylight' florescent or LED lights until night time temps. regularly stay above freezing. Then I slowly acclimate them to full outdoor Sun. I've been using this method for 14 years with no losses.

[@FishMarkit]

Thanks for this

[@Tommyr]

You are welcome. @@FishMarkit

[@deborahmckenzie4318]

I’m in Michigan, it’s March and night temps range from upper 30’s and low 40’s. Day temps are around 40’s to low 50’s. Can I put my potted VFT outside for any portion of the day? Or wait until it’s warmer?

[@Tommyr]

@@deborahmckenzie4318I start acclimating mine in April to the Sun. If we're going to get freezing temps at night I cover with a old towel or blanket and remove once the temps get above freezing in the morning. My last frost date is around May 15th.

[@deborahmckenzie4318]

@@Tommyr thank you! I’ll be testing the waters in the coming days as soon as the weather cooperates. It’s going to be below freezing at night for a few days. So I have it in my best light (western facing window) and within a couple of weeks hopefully I can move it outdoors.

[@greengold7648]

Absolutely the FINEST informational video on VFTs! Now, for the first time, I learned more about VFTs than my entire lifetime! Thank you for sharing your love and knowledge of VFTs with all of us out here in the ether---your upload is deeply appreciated!

[@California_Carnivores]

Thank you so much!!!

[@JasonKonopinski]

I legit LOL'd at "worm's pajamas."

[@EZShop76]

I just recently bought a fly trap from Walmart. So hopefully I can learn from your wealth of information how to save it and take care of it so it can grow. Thank you for the video, I watched it all the way through.

[@joemac3748]

This was a FANTASTIC VIDEO!!!! Now we need one like this for HELIAMPHORA and NEPENTHES and if you have the time CEPHALOTUS LOL. Seriously though thank you for your time and we appreciate it. My Venus fly traps are still doing great from you guys and I bought them three years ago. Also my heliamphora from you guys is doing great. Seriously one of the best places to buy carnivorous plants. You package the plants perfect. I never get nervous buying plants from you guys..

[@California_Carnivores]

Thank you so much! I’m sharing your comment with everyone at the nursery - we love what we do and hearing this feedback makes me so happy! 😊😊😊

[@OyaRevolutionary]

I’ve just found you! I’ve bought my first baby. Found it in quite a dark place in a garden centre. I knew I had to rescue her. Got home most of her leaves had shut but opened the next day. I’m going to take my time with her but she looks happier already. Thank you so much for this video ✨🌸 from London England

[@California_Carnivores]

I’m so glad you found this helpful! 😊 Happy growing!

[@nicolecodi4513]

The worms you spoke on are called detritus worms. You could mitigate those by setting up a low boy aquarium with a tall pot and use a few mosquito fish and create an aquarium ecosystem around your plant. Fun idea 💡

[@caramba10]

Hi from the UK, Love your channel and your video's, even though I've been growing CP's for over 50 years I usually find I learn something new from them.

[@California_Carnivores]

Thank you so much!😊

[@nolleyflip]

So long as I’m alive, so will these plants be ‼️ I appreciate you and everyone else making an effort to restore these beautiful living beings.

[@California_Carnivores]

Thank you! I’m so glad you’re so in love with these plant!

[@monke1919]

You should make more of these longer and more in-depth videos about carnivorous plant care

[@laurakocubinski9675]

We bought a Venus fly trap at Trader Joe’s last week Some of his leaves started turning black and I stumbled upon your video! Great information! I hope I can make him happy! We live in San Francisco and would love to visit if you ever open to the public!

[@mathiasbrandes3222]

Thank you so much that you share all this with us.

[@ralphrose1]

Just bought my first one...ty4 all your info

[@tarakincade501]

I'm amazed at how interesting an hour of this is. You've done an excellent job of raising my awareness and education on this plant and its history. I now actually have something I care about in the Carolinas. 😵

[@California_Carnivores]

I’m so glad you enjoyed it! 😄

[@doughnutask4763]

Me too! I saw the length of the video and thought I wouldn't sot through it but, it was very interesting and didn't realise I was at the end and have found myself disappointed!

[@joyevilsizer2776]

You are seriously a magnificent teacher! Thank you for your videos❤

[@deandavis8165]

Great job, Damon!

[@sumdumdog]

This video's absolutely packed with information. 💚Thank you for putting this together!

[@California_Carnivores]

Thank you!

[@OleanderSmoothie]

Very informative video! I really enjoy the longer ones!

[@California_Carnivores]

Thank you!

[@jermainstevenson9838]

I absolutely love your video and its so inspiring and informative, i have saved a vft and it's cloning itself, thank you so much for this fantastic video ❤

[@robinbanks183]

Excellent video everything a beginner could possibly need to start keeping these lovely interesting plants.

[@whatsmandisaying]

Thank you very much, Damon! Started collecting carnivorous plants a year ago, and these videos are so helpful. You speak in such a way that I can actually understand the process. I really appreciate having you on my journey with me! Thank you thank you!! 🩷

[@lisabayley3868]

Thank you so much for the wonderful video, the incredible information, and the entertaining commentary! I live in Ontario Canada and my father is in Nova Scotia. He has two vfts and he is IN LOVE with them :) I love them too and want to try my own. Will be ordering from you for sure!

[@philguerrero6864]

Thanks i bought my daughter one this video was very helpful 👍

[@theicebolt4361]

Learnt more here in 50 minutes than 3 decades of being absolutely fascinated about this plant - now I need to see sundews and butterworts and pitchers, . . .

[@MACOlongboards]

Really good video and touched every aspect needed! I’m ready for you guys to make some more in depth Nepenthes videos and possibly start breeding more species! 👍🏼

[@BaybieSnark]

I bought one from Walmart that looked pretty good and KZbind how to care for it. Found out it needed to be repotted in peat moss and perlite and ran right out and bought the soil I needed. Went back to Walmart to pick up some meds and bought another that didn’t look like it was doing too good. I’m probably gonna end up rescuing some more. It’s my first time growing them so I hope I have some luck, I’ve always wanted to buy them but always passed on buying in the past.

[@amberkeeney7777]

My boyfriend bought one and I replanted his in Sphagnum moss :)

[@Cheriesgardenvegplot]

I'll be watching all your flytrap videos when it rains this afternoon

[@ingridchristensen6829]

and thank you for such a thorough run through on these guys care. since i was raised on a nursery i know there is no one better to explain care than an owner of a nursery who truly loves their plants. i received this as a gift (pretty sure the poor thing came from home depot too) but i will be getting carnivorous plants from you in the future. not every nursery owner is as passionate as you are, and you carry the same passion my father and i did towards our mangroves when we had our nursery. i appreciate your knowledge and look forward to ordering some plants from you soon!

[@michaelbonj4090]

Great video you should do more in depth videos like this

[@matthewchicoine6010]

Fantastic video! Very informative, and beginner friendly. I’m so excited and feel well prepared for my first carnivorous plant. Keep up the good work, thanks so much 👍🏽

[@California_Carnivores]

Thank you! I hope you love your Venus flytrap!

[@cupofjae]

I absolutely love this!!! I have lived in NC for almost two decades and am just now learning about this! Just ordered some VFTs from you and I'm so excited to get them!

[@California_Carnivores]

Thank you so much! Your flytraps will still be super dormant when you get them but they will be waking up soon!

[@Chloe-dn2hn]

I just ordered King Henry from you and it’s arriving this week! I’m so excited! I’m gonna name her Audrey!

[@mikeszymanski6992]

You sold me!!! I have had venus fly trap and pulpits when I was a kid and now want to start them again! I ordered my starter pack while watching your vid, getting the soil and the distilled water I'm going out to get now! thanks

[@philswede]

Greetings from Sweden! Proud Venus owner! You guys just got yourselves a new subscriber.

[@California_Carnivores]

Hello! Thank you 😊

[@pinecone.jeff.carnivores]

In the span from August to present (late February), I’ve learned so much from your videos and Peter’s book. Now, carnivorous plants are an obsession of mine and I can’t be happier to have been introduced to this wonderful hobby by your videos! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

[@California_Carnivores]

That makes us so happy!

[@Mike100istCarnivorousPlants]

I recently purchased ‘Red Dragon’ it should arrive soon thanks. Nice shirt and video.

[@California_Carnivores]

‘Red Dragon’ is a great cultivar! They die back very hard in dormancy and then grow so rapidly in spring and summer; it’s like watching a magic trick!

[@Jesus-eg3yb]

What a great video. Thank you so much for going over everything in detail. Very helpful. Can you guys do a video on a sample of proper chart/track keeping of carnivorous plants?

[@California_Carnivores]

I’ll add that to the list!

[@Ayymeeee]

Just rescued my first vft today 😊 been so excited to do this since i started watching your videos! Wish me luck everyone poor little plant didn't look too happy 😂

[@ingridchristensen6829]

i cant believe i never heard of the mosquito bits! thank youuuuu

[@jeanetteroof1381]

Aloha I just bought my second Venus Fly Trap Second because I didn't take the time to learn about it. So I'm all about it now . Pretty obsessed lol. I love that shirt and I'm a large hahahaha. I've been taking pictures of the growing process and I got my plant in the food market . I have fed her by hand and collecting grain water . I want to put her in a glass bowl but have learned they do better in plastic . I hate the look of the plastic . I know U can put it inside a pretty pot it's not the same look . But I'm watching your video now. Thank you for the info

[@THICCpikachu]

I just got the Venus flytrap bog kit coming, I’m excited to try growing these. The bog kit makes it so simple. I think my 9yr olds will love it too.

[@uriahlegutki2257]

Thats great, but make sure to keep your 9yr olds away so they don’t get eaten.

[@ineedmoney299]

Excellent info video. Very. If you can do this style for all carnivorous plants that would be epic.

[@donloesch4432]

This is a great video! Thank you, Damon. I have purchased all of my plants from California Carnivores and will not go anywhere else. The sundews, pitchers, and vft have all been exceptional. Thank you for the care you give us in shipping these wonderful plants.

[@California_Carnivores]

Thank you so much!!!!

[@fabbrice]

Great video

[@CraftAmundous]

Holy crap! Thank you so much for this! I am seeing them around more as novelty gifts and guess what! Yeap, I was gifted one. I live in Wisconsin, near the Dells. I've tried for years to get them through one winter only to assume I had failed time and again. 🤬 I'm now confident that I can keep these awesome plants healthy and alive! 🎉🎉🎉 👊 I look forward to getting a fancier one from your collection in the spring. 🤑

[@messageinthebottle1673]

I just bought another venus fly trap and I'm determined to keep it alive. Thanks for the video cause venus fly traps are one of my favorite plants and my most favorite ❤ to put in my room.

[@Itsjayden_667]

Fantastic video as I’m new vft parent 👍

[@curlsbynat9763]

i bought a flytrap -Insect catcher- B52 x DC-XL from Etsy. From now on I'm buying from you.

[@ashestarling2241]

I've loved these plants ever since I was a kid. So glad to FINALLY know how to take care of them better lol.

[@WhitFyffe]

I just ordered my 1st order from you with 3 plants and I’m hoping for a live plant when it arrives. I’ve had horrible experiences from Lowes which is the only store we have in my area with CPs. My son is absolutely obsessed with them so I’m hoping this will meet his expectations lol. Can’t wait to get our plants ❤️

[@California_Carnivores]

Yay! Thank you for your order 😊

[@Sohave]

I had Venus Flytraps in a small terrarium as a teen. I knew not to give them tap water but I still failed after a couple of years they died. But while I had them they blossomed, which I thought was cool.I would wish I had such information available back then, I will give it a shot again.

[@alicewright8367]

That is the most handsome venus fly trap I have ever seen 😍

[@kadensinclair]

I so appreciate these videos and as we build out our bio dome gardens and surrounding gardens, we've added bog gardens. I love telling people we grow our Venus Flytraps outside and that they have to have a winter hibernation period. Both of these things surprise people greatly. We're in an area (Boise Idaho) where we can grow all kinds of stuff and winter it over, but it's not well-known and so there're so many gardeners that could and should add these. Also, our water is at 103-108 ppm hardiness and, while Venus Flytraps are the most sensitive, I have usually had pretty good luck using tap water with a winter flush of snow and lots of rain. Or flushing pretty well during the summer with pure water. Can't wait to expand the collection for people to see them during visits to the community center.

[@California_Carnivores]

That’s so cool! 😃❤️🌱

[@Kyddoemiko13]

Excellent 👍 🍃🍃😁🍃🍃 video I can't wait to get my DC XL VFT from you all !!

[@California_Carnivores]

Thank you!!

[@mem0ry743]

I purchased a sundew and a Venus flytrap from your nursery, I’m so excited but nervous since I’m a beginner thankfully this video comes in handy 😅

[@California_Carnivores]

Thank you! The flytrap will be super dormant but spring is just around the corner and it’ll grow so much then!

[@1jollyroger99]

Thanks, been growing them off and on for years, early years didn't use distilled water, thus they never lived to a ripe old age. Have several types of Carnivorous plants now for the past couple of years, this is an awesome video, a rarely watch any video for more than 15 minutes or so, but watched this all the way through. Thank you, and I'll be ordering from you this fall, if not sooner.

[@California_Carnivores]

Thank you so much!

[@divingaquarist]

Awesome video! The cultivars of these guys are very addicting to collect. I'm hunting for a few more, before I have to call it quits; my balcony isn't big enough. I'd love to see somthing like this for Cephalotus. It feels like an underappreciated species.

[@California_Carnivores]

Thank you! Cephalotus are one of our favorites - absolutely captivating!

[@GoblinCrew]

I could listen to him talk about carnivorous plants all day

[@woodsfriendlygarden2190]

I enjoyed this informative video. Just placed my order for the Deluxe Beginner’s Bog Kit (6 Plants) so looking forward to these plants. I will be purchasing the book as well.

[@California_Carnivores]

Thank you so much!

[@woodsfriendlygarden2190]

@@California_Carnivores you welcome.

[@kellyduguay3368]

Great video! My 12 inch bowl of vft are from your stock, maybe 10 or so years ago.....I keep mine in live sphagnum in a plastic colander in a plastic container filled 1/2 way with rain water. Living in NH I keep mine through the winter months against a very cold window ....in the upper 30s ..... as soon as I see the flower stalks sprouting I pinch them off, then over the next 2 weeks, I bring them closer to the 60 degree plant room. They live under lights until the night temps are above 50, then outside for the summer. Thank you for years of enjoyment!

[@California_Carnivores]

Wow! I love hearing that! I’m so glad you’ve been enjoying your flytraps for 10 years - that’s one of the special things about these plants; how long they can live and how fun it can be to watch their cycles year after year!

[@edneyhelenedossantos1875]

Big fan of your work :)

[@timweber2434]

What a great video!

[@California_Carnivores]

Thank you so much! 🌱

[@dennisaustin6058]

They are tough buggers too I had 2 in sphagnum peat moss and was putting them in a larger pot and my brother accidentally snapped it root and thought he killed it I cut off the damage and replanted it pretty soon there was a unopened leaf in the pot !! I usually look tor sick VFT and buy them ,they are cheaper and a nice reward when is grows and is healthy.

[@alexi.c]

My husband brought me home my first Venus flytrap. He randomly found it at our grocery store. Anyway, I'm in Wisconsin and it is December so it's a bit behind on dormancy. I need to look at your other videos to figure out my plan. My plant background is in semi-hydroponic orchids mainly, but I also do hydroponics indoors with tomatoes and flowers over winter. Thanks for this great video that has me super excited about Venus flytraps and other carnivorous plants.

[@California_Carnivores]

You’ll probably want to do the fridge dormancy method where you live! We have a few videos about it in our dormancy playlist!

[@alexi.c]

@@California_Carnivores Thanks. What I did was repot them (There was a bonus baby.) and put the pot in a south east facing window in our unheated basement. It's in the 50s there at the moment but will get a bit colder yet but not freezing. I *love* all your videos. I'm window shopping your site trying to decide what my next plants will be. :)

[@California_Carnivores]

@@alexi.c That should make your flytrap really happy! I’m so glad you’re finding our videos helpful!

[@zalphinian]

You all can thank @Rachel O'Leary for getting me into carnivorous plants! Watching her video's on container ponds in the summer got me into container ponds and from there carnivorous plants. I have learned that if the plants roots always stay wet, then I can keep a plant alive, and carnivorous plants basically look after themselves! Rachel recommended Peter's book and I found it absolutely amazing! He put so much information in there and it was extremely interesting too. I know some people would be afraid a book like that would be super dry, but it wasn't at all. Highly recommended to anyone interested in these types of plants.

[@California_Carnivores]

That’s so great! I’m so glad you enjoyed the book ❤️🌱😊

[@SamanthaNickole02]

Venus Flytrap plants are one of my favorite plants God made.🥰 I used to live in HMB years ago. CA Carnivores is an awesome place! It’s because of their videos that I was able to successfully rescue a plant from The Home Depot. It’s now beginning to flower, which I’ll be cutting off. I don’t want it to flower until it’s mature. I’ve been keeping it on my bedroom window sill and giving it RO-filtered water.😁 Tip regarding those plastic tubes they come in: I remembered what the two girls did in another video regarding how to make a bog for your plant. So I cut most of the top portion off, leaving a little tray of about a one inch deep. I fill it up to about 3/4. I got to see valuable info I received keep my baby trap alive and thriving to the point of flowering. Thank you, CA Carnivores! I hope to see you guys soon and buy a plant or two from you!😀

[@California_Carnivores]

That’s a great idea! I’m so glad you’re enjoying growing these plants so much! 😃

[@marklawrence76]

New Subscriber. Keep the videos coming.

[@California_Carnivores]

Thank you 😊

[@sylverado13]

I wish I can come visit your shop. I live in Cali and I would love to looks and purchase them in person and to thank you for this amazing instructional video

[@California_Carnivores]

We closed our in person shop four years ago and now all of our available plants are on our website 😊

[@z0mbi3peach95]

I recently took over managing the lawn and garden department at a home improvement store. I turned to this to learn about how these need caring for. They basically said “it’s a pay per scan” which means they don’t pay unless they sell. So it’s not a huge loss for them but they’re tossed out most of the time unfortunately. We’re never given direction in how to care nor are we instructed to care for them and it kills me. So here I am opening these plastic boxes trying to rehab these guys 😢

[@mitochondria2175]

I got the ebook version of the Savage Garden. It has been one of my best purchases in my life. Even though I can´t have flytraps because of the extreme heat, I loved it!!!! A little bit off topic suggestion... Can you make a video talking about nepenthes basal shoots? Some of my neps are growing a lot of them and I don´t know what to do LOL. Thanksss

[@California_Carnivores]

I’ll add that to the video list!

[@paulschaefer5241]

In the region of the US where these plants are naturally found. it is USDA Hardiness Zone 7. Minimum winter temps can be as cold as 15F or -7C.

[@MaridianGG]

I definitely thought venus fly traps came from Africa or something.. I was SHOOK when you said they come from north/south carolina.. where I LIVE OMG. I learned a lot though! Thank you!

[@marcb9612]

Great video, will definitely order my next venus fly trap from you guys. I'm located in Prince George BC, Canada so winters can be long and cold. Currently growing a venus fly trap in my office with an LED light (12hrs per day on timer) and distilled water with bottom watering only, so far after a few weeks after getting it from a local grocery store garden center its doing great. Even got automatic watering system from Amazon so I never forget to water it :) Question: should I transplant into a bigger pot now or leave in the little 3" wide x about 3" deep and repot at the beginning of next years season (April 2023), after winter dormancy of course?

[@California_Carnivores]

I would wait and repot this coming dormant period, we like to do all of our repotting in January before they start to grow for the year. Unless you think the plant is in a bad mix, waiting will be best because repotting it while it is in active growth will shock it and stop this years growth quite a bit. Allowing it to grow all year will let you feed it and get it a lot of nutrients to store up for dormancy and after you repot, it will be twice as big next year! Unfortunately we cannot ship live plants outside the US 😫 but we can ship seeds if you want to try growing VFT from seed!

[@rockysgarage]

Really great Damon! I bought my traps last fall and they seem to have regressed into the soil and moss. I might have killed them and these are the new growth. My plants are being grown in large pumice stones from Oregon and that is all floating in a large pond liner tub. I will probably contact you guys later with pictures. BTW I cannot image the crazy large sized flytrap in the background is real and if it is you must do a separate video for that. However, I am interested in who created that and its construction. That is truly a great conversation piece I would not mind having at my home to shown my enthusiasm for carnivorous plants!!

[@California_Carnivores]

Thank you! That is a sculpture commissioned by the Conservatory of Flowers in San Francisco for a joint exhibit we did with them years ago! Send us photos of your plants so we can take a look at what’s going on!

[@tishie42]

I have seen those poor vfts at the big box stores and always feel so bad for them. I never tried to rescue one cuz they were obviously crown rotted, or just too far gone. (We mostly rescue if we're buying plants from a big box store..) I saw an extremely healthy one about end of April beginning of May. It even had several flowers on it. So I grabbed it. I figured it was actually mature enough to bloom, had lots of baby traps coming in, and several mature traps. and even if it was a death bloom I would have the plant as healthy as possible til it passed. I didn't even know if death blooms were a thing for them. I have some succulents that will do that. I cut off the flowers immediately and some of the outer traps that wouldn't close anymore due to being smashed by the death cube. I had some plain peat, no fert added and some perlite. I 50/50 mixed it in a 8 in tall orchid pot. Rinsed the perlite first. I live in Yuma AZ so no humidity but plenty of sun. I had a cloche for seedlings and threw that over it until acclimated. The closer we got to the sun, the longer the cloche stayed off. Now it's only on at night. It is over 100 here every day for a few months and I have been watering it in a white, wide mouth glazed orchid pot. I keep about an inch of RO water at all times and it sits on a sw side of my house on the edge of my carport. It gets so hot but there's so much room in the pots that the rhizome never gets hot. I can do African violets outside on the same sw facing porch so I figure a vft couldn't possibly be more picky. And they're not! The heat seems to not bother it at all. It's never dried out and I have about 12 new traps coming on 3 sides of the plant. Im just watching it creep along at the growth point. I feed 3 or 4 traps a fly at all times and the rest just chill until their turn. I will probably pull out from under shelter all the way in winter and let it go dormant. I have some morning glories that go to dormant so I'm hoping it's enough for the vfts. I'll probably sphagnum moss the sides between the pots and see if it gets cold enough. This channel is amazing and the only place I've seen any info about heat. Northwest Sarrecenias has one informational video about being in the heat, but they're just not as detailed as you guys. I am going to experiment here and try some more carns but they're going to have to be heat hardy. It seems the evaporation here will stop rot from happening. Thank you for sharing your plant addiction with us. 🌿💚

[@California_Carnivores]

I’m so glad you’re enjoying our content and that it’s been helpful! We’re in zone 9b and experience some pretty high heat waves and grow our flytraps outdoors year round!

[@Murdinator60]

I also haven't had to feed mine. Mine have been really good at catching garden spiders and fruit flies for just about every open leaf.

[@mtilford7978]

Brilliant! I have learned so much from your videos, love them. Maxsea seems to be very expensive to buy here in UK. Can I use other water soluble seaweed fertilizer at a low strength dose? Not a great amount of sun here either but my fairly small vft stays outside from April to November. Cold greenhouse after that. Would love to try growing some giant ones. Thank you.

[@California_Carnivores]

Thank you! I’m so glad you’re enjoying the videos! You can definitely experiment with some seaweed based fertilizers. Dilute them down very heavily (we use 1/4 teaspoon Maxsea into 1 gallon of water) They should work well but I would recommend testing them on one plant first, just to be careful.

[@mtilford7978]

@@California_Carnivores Thank You!

[@reviewguru5457]

WOW I am so glad I thought about the time we got a venus fly trap when I was a kid.. And when me and my wife were out getting garden supplies I decided to try my thumb on a venus fly trap. Your video is great.. I do wishThe Rocket Farms distributor wouldnt have put junky CARE INFO on the package.. If you followed these directions your venus fly trap dies 9 out of 10! Regardless Thank you for your great video~!

[@California_Carnivores]

We’re so glad you enjoyed this video and that it was helpful! We’re really passionate about these plants and want everyone to be successful with them!

[@veryberry39]

A PSA about ZeroWater filters! Don't know if it's already been said, but if you use one of these for your CPs, test it EVERY time you refill your pitcher. If your water has a lot of TDS in it (like mine did in Florida), you might get about 2 weeks out of your filter...and they're not cheap. I absolutely love the brand, and in areas without super hard water, you'd get more life out of your filter, but if you're going to use this for your plants, you really need to measure TDS super frequently.

[@California_Carnivores]

That’s such a good point! I’ll try to remember to add that to my little spiel about water and the Zero pitchers! Thank you!

[@ms.fruitbat8883]

I live in zone 6B, and flytraps would probably love my sunny deck from March-December. However, January, and sometimes Feb, but less so, can get down below 15F. Last winter we had a lot of over night lows in the low double to mid single digits. Would placing the dormant plants into something like a Styrofoam cooler filled with mulch or some kind of insulative material work to keep them safe during bad cold spells?

[@California_Carnivores]

We usually recommend mulching them in heavily on the sides as well as the tops of the pots. If you mulch the pots in really well, 4-6” of mulch, that should really help. Or dig them into the ground for winter. I’m not sure if the styrofoam would work.

[@DjBush168]

Great video, lots of info for growing these plants with specific needs. Why would you repot every year if they don’t need any nutrients from the soil? Unless the are flourishing and too big for their container?

[@California_Carnivores]

The soil tends to build up minerals and nutrients and that can adversely effect the plants so it’s good to change it out regularly.

[@DjBush168]

@@California_Carnivores thank you!

[@Guy-ky9mc]

VFT can be found in the wild out here in eastern NC. I've heard it said that it's about the only place they can be found in the wild but I'm not certain. I picked up one a Lowe's. Thanks for the info

[@California_Carnivores]

They only grow in the Carolina’s; very small native range and the population is under a lot of pressure!

[@KathyHickok]

I would love to see how to apply the maxsea, I read that it says just the foliage, but with my babies there's a lot of peat exposed around it, wouldn't misting get too much on the peat?

[@California_Carnivores]

We must the leaves with abandon and it does get on the peat moss but that’s okay. A little bit won’t be a problem!

[@lonewolf.1751]

Absolutely superb video and very informative, many thanks for this and cool T shirt by the way, And what the hell is that monster trap behind you, i hope it's just a garden ornament lol.😄❤👍👍

[@California_Carnivores]

Thank you! That’s a fun sculpture!

[@lonewolf.1751]

@@California_Carnivores lol thank god for that .😄

[@annetteroos8990]

I rushed out to put out containers to catch rainwater. Nobody told me tap water would kill it until I watched your video 😬 Fortunately we had a big rainstorm last night.

[@denniskowskie6748]

Most tap water now uses chlorine ans ammonia to disinfect. No longer can you just let it gas off. You do need to dechlor with a product that removes both. Thanks for the great vids.

[@stephenshanebeaty]

Have you ever tried these in a semi hydroponic setup with pumice or leca, seems like it could work, might have to keep the water level a little higher than normal.

[@California_Carnivores]

We haven’t experimented much with hydroponic growing but we’ve heard it can be successful from other growers. There are many growers who have experimented with growing in pure pumice or Leca - we don’t like a mix like that (it’s very difficult in a huge nursery to keep plants potted in that kind of mix wet) but in a small collection it can work well!

[@timwildes8082]

I just got a couple of these from a big box store and replanted them in sphagnum moss and perlite. Today is day number five and have put them in the sun for six hours max. I'm also using distilled water but the heads are now turning black. Am I doing something wrong? Soil is moist not soggy and actually one is a few days older than the other two but all three are now going slightly black. Love the video. Should probably buy the book.

[@California_Carnivores]

That’s totally normal! The plants are just reacting to all the changes and getting used to the sun. I would expect most of the leaves to die back but new leaves should start to grow and they will be hardy for the sun

[@clockworkdryad]

Recently when I was shopping for distilled water I came across a bottle that said “Distilled water” then in tiny font below: “with minerals added for taste” It was mind boggling, as that defeats the whole purpose of distilling the water.

[@California_Carnivores]

🤯 that is so frustrating! We used to be able to recommend purified water but then it routinely had minerals added as well and we had to a stop.

[@laurencefrabotta1618]

While big traps are impressive, I love VFTs that have a nice balanced leaf with wider petioles. Is there a variety or 2 you would recommend - I don’t have any B-52s, so I’ll definitely add one. Thanks!

[@California_Carnivores]

You might like ‘Haircomb’ or ‘Triton’

[@philippdesanto8804]

Oooops. I'm starting to think I shouldn't have started from seeds. I got one out of a dozen to germinate I think: Little bit of a green shoot popping out of the top layer of soil, and the seed hanging from the top. I'm hoping she turns out to be a beautiful b52 cluster like yours in the years to come. Living in Canada, I knew this was going to be an endeavor. But regardless, thank you for the knowledge 💚

[@California_Carnivores]

It’ll take some time but it will be super rewarding!

[@nicholasandhishuman4805]

Alright man, you got me. I just bought two ‘B52’s” and I’m stoked! I hope they like the beach in San Diego. FightOn ✌️

[@California_Carnivores]

Thank you for your order 😄

[@Murdinator60]

Quick question on sun me me. I live south of Denver. We are super dry and we get tons of intense first sun. I was originally under.yhe impression that the more the sun the better for these guys. I keep mine outside and they have done well but have not grown to a huge plant like that. Maybe like 10 traps at the most. Am I doing too much harsh sun?

[@California_Carnivores]

They do love lots and lots of sun but there is an effect where plants actually grow a bit smaller when they are in intense light. (Kate did a video about too much and too little light that is really interesting) You can try adding a bit of 30% shade cloth or moving them to a spot that gets an hour or two less of the most intense afternoon light. It’ll take a while to see the results; wait 6-8 weeks before evaluating the results of the move to the new spot/addition of shade cloth.

[@irishsakura1]

Your passion for these plants earned my subscription. But what in the world is that plant behind you? It looks like a giant size Venus Fly Trap!

[@California_Carnivores]

Thank you! It’s a giant sculpture from the Conservatory of Flowers in San Francisco

[@California_Carnivores]

@@ahmedshallo1587 It’s a sculpture and it was custom made by the Conservatory of Flower; I’m actually not even sure who they commissioned!

[@ZazuBirdandMe]

I have a greenhouse I put my tiny Venus FLY Trap..I'm in love with that huge Venus fly trap behind u ..WOW!!

[@contessa.adella]

Soil…In my experience avoid those bags of potting mix sold in garden centres advertised as “For Carnivorous plants”….because the mix is sometimes not good and gradually kills the plant. I use Ericaceous compost (normally used for Rhododendrons and Azaleas etc)…it is rich, thick, dark and has an acid ph. It does tend to have a clay like consistency, so some perlite might be good, but mine thrive without.

[@traebramlett5526]

I have a question about growing a Venus fly Trap but I live in Mississippi where the weather is always changing so I think for me it would be better to grow it inside near a window on a rotating plate the soil around the house I am staying in is mainly red clay. So what do I need to get for it that away I can get it out of the death cube.

[@California_Carnivores]

If you’d like to grow it indoors, I’d recommend growing it under a grow light. You can pot it up in four parts peat moss to one perlite