How to Care for the Venus Fly Trap

Our plant expert Ashley walks through the basic steps on what it takes to keep a Venus Fly Trap plant alive and healthy!

[@xilonenacosta6499]

Her: only feed one for the entire plant Me: sitting here realizing I just fed all 9 of them 😳

[@shreksgoblinchild]

LMAOAOAOA

[@eternal.opulence]

😭😭😭😭😭😂😂❤😂

[@pretzelschannel6595]

:0000

[@dirbthebird]

POV: your Venus Fly Trap gets very C H O N K

[@rawr-ger]

Same 😩

[@yeeyee5054]

I dont know how I got here, im high

[@morphyebanks1521]

Word bro

[@Divine1one]

😂😂 I can relate😊

[@Burke902]

Same 😂

[@Trismamii]

M3 2

[@LeonardoGeorge-iu4wq]

Same here bro

[@ianperry8557]

You can feed them blood worms that you’d find at most pet shops, just rehydrate them by putting a few drops of water on them! And do feel free to feed multiple traps 1-2 times a week It’ll give good nutrients. Be sure to very gently “massage” the traps by stimulating the hairs inside the traps themselves to simulate alive prey once the blood worm is in the trap or else the trap actually won’t digest the blood worm.

[@anti-popfpv4638]

My cat just killed my trap but for future reference; I understand you can only feed a leaf so many times before it dies off but feeding multiple leaves at once won't put it at risk of rot? I'd put mine in a buggy area and it would usually catch 1 or 2 on its own.

[@ianperry8557]

Exotic Ants I just have had success massaging the trap carefully to get it to start digestion. But true yeah too much feeding can be harsh especially cause fly traps are picky, I just personally never had issues feeding upwards 3 times a week, I’ll clarify in my comment :)

[@iqasyahiraa2727]

I don't have the fours season..so ....i dont know what to ask.. If i had the plant which I planned to get.. How should i feed it she said during the winter months avoid feeding them so....

[@cheeselunathingz5958]

Can you feed it mill worms?

[@sexysophie4426]

Can i give them water from my BRITA filter ?

[@samanthamerinmarquez3253]

Thank you for the quick two minute video it means a lot and I hope a lot

[@lennyface2586]

What? Why do you "hope a lot"?

[@derekjohnn2329]

@@lennyface2586 she meant "it helps alot" . lol

[@PutMeInDaGameCoach]

Thanks

[@anti-popfpv4638]

Mine wants blood, human blood, losts of blood, my blood! And I think I keep hearing it say "FEED ME!" I'm not saying it's aliens but... aliens

[@gmcnewlook]

Don’t feed it!

[@anti-popfpv4638]

Since posting this my trap went from amazing to dead... My cats didn't like it or 5 of my other plants! They in trouble

[@sabrinaguzman6201]

Ah sh-- here we go again

[@anti-popfpv4638]

@@sabrinaguzman6201 my cat killed it

[@woffil3644]

This has to be the most cringe worthy comment i saw all year

[@carolynmonaro3235]

Thank you for this, I impulse bought a small venus plant from walmart because i've been staring at the plants for three days, and decided I really wanted one. I already feel very attached to it and don't want to see it wither and die because of my neglect, and I sincerely hope this video helps me keep them alive! I named them KRONOS. 😀💖

[@EmilyHrsn]

Nice name, how is your venus? I named mine Zetsu :)

[@Clintscollectiblez]

They wither and turn black in winter it looks dead but it's normal btw

[@deadlydove1877]

@@EmilyHrsn SAMEEE ZETSU TWINS

[@EmilyHrsn]

@@deadlydove1877 LMAO I GOT THE NAME AFTER A NARUTO CHARACTER

[@charli.buttermilk]

I googled this video so I could learn how to save the plant from Walmart tomorrow 🤣🤣

[@morganstaker4928]

Yes, you can poke the mouth with your finger, but it shouldn’t waste its energy on nothing!

[@ethanjd314]

Brian Cook I think that’s what she was saying. The trap “shouldn’t waste its energy on nothing”.

[@xxangelofdeath69xx]

You guys obviously didn’t do enough research on this carnivorous plants. They do not waste their energy. There’s a reason why they have hair in the inside of the traps and go off on specific intervals when a “bug” is trapped. The more the hairs get triggered the more the trap knows it has caught something and sends electrical currents to the cells to release digestive enzymes and continue the process. Poking it with your finger will clearly trigger the trap to shut but after you’re done fucking around with its trip it’ll reopen eventually because there’s nothing triggering the hairs anymore and “knows” when it’s caught nothing or whatever it caught escaped. Please search another video on this fantastic plants and the relatives. They’re amazing.

[@Withnail1969]

yes, thats how you kill them, i did that as a kid inadvertently

[@Sabuda80]

@@Withnail1969 ........ I just did it to mine and It's Still alive....

[@Withnail1969]

@@Sabuda80 dont keep doing it or it will die.

[@aeronwynschache2257]

My area has lots of flies so Venus is my fly catcher and she eats a feast with the seasons. I've never had to feed her as she's so good at feeding herself and nature takes care of her food needs. No flies in winter=no food and she does just fine!

[@wowprobeast7543]

How many flies per month would you say it catches? And if it is in a natural area with house flies would it over feed itself?

[@ainsleyg123]

I got mine a few days ago and she’s caught at least two fruit flies.. am I over feeding without feeding? I don’t want to kill her

[@bbughtiful]

Thank you for keeping your video short and to the point. People who talk too much on their "how to" videos drive me nuts.

[@ethanjd314]

They don’t need to be fed once a month, but it helps them grow faster. A south facing window isn’t enough light. They need to be outside in full sun. Humidity generally isn’t an issue unless the air is bone dry, in which case the suggestions in the video will help.

[@ethanjd314]

Anna Stripinis Yeah, some people do that. Some lights mimic the sun better than others. Make sure it’s on about 12 hours per day during the summer. During the winter, they need less light (and cooler temperatures if you can. There’s different methods people use to achieve this) because in the wild they go into a dormancy phase where their growing slows down. This allows the plant to rest, and after a couple years without a dormancy they’ll die.

[@Jude13able]

I sat my plant outside on the south side of the house and my plants flourished.

[@the_irate_juan8462]

"Feed them only once a month." But how about if you don't really feed it, but flies get trapped on it more than once a month? Would that be harmful to the plant if they get plenty of bugs?

[@assoverteakettle]

They can live on photosynthesis through the sun like any other plant. When grown outdoors where possible their traps will sometime fill up with flies and other bugs during the summer and that does not harm the plant either. It may slow the growth as it uses the energy to digest the insect but won't kill them. The things that will kill VFT's are hard treated water, not keeping the soil damp, enriched soils and plant food and fertilizers, not allowing it have a dormancy period, and sustained freezing in the winter if grown outdoors. VFT's are quite easy to grow and can live for a very long time and will multiply over time. Lots of sun during spring and summer, clean untreated water (contrary to what some people say tap water is okay if you live in an area where the drinking water is from a clean reservoir and not hard with minerals and not strongly chlorinated), untreated natural peat or spaghnum moss mix, keep it damp but not soaking in water, and allow it to have a cool to cold, but not hard freezing, dormancy during the winter for at least 3 to 4 months. You can put it in the refrigerator if you live in the tropics. Watch the Sarracenia Northwest KZbin channel for more info.

[@warrr_machine]

assoverteakettle I like your response.

[@bitchysophia6762]

@@assoverteakettle can i use well water for my VFT (thats probably spelled wrong)

[@MrKiet76]

I would feed them all once every two weeks or at least they beg for more (when they open their mouths again)!

[@xdgaming952]

@@assoverteakettle i do imagine if uses energy on digesting then doesn't it gain a lot too from the bug or anything that was in? Maybe act like a fertiliser

[@psychicmediumleoshelton5027]

Thank you. I was in the Home & Garden area of Walmart yesterday and I noticed they had a cart of young Venus Flytraps. I was debating on buying one or two but decided not to because I had no knowledge of how to take care ofthem...I decided to research today because they were still on my mind...NOW I know how to care for them! Thanks to your video. I'm returning to Walmart tomorrow and buying 2!

[@richardrodriguez8979]

Short, sweet and simple! Thanks for the info!

[@KneelB4Bacon]

If you live in a dry climate, putting a see-through lid over the plant to keep it humid helps a lot.

[@territaylor6685]

Just got our Venus Fly traps..they are in the resting period now that it's fall an going into Winter..We are excited about the addition to our plant family..it's going to be a beautiful adventure this spring. Thanks for the information 👍😀

[@Fenril76]

Glad I came across this, I believe she covered everything. Thank you!

[@kyliecole3026]

thankyou so very much for this video. my 5yo boy is OBSESSED with these plants and the feeding only 1 head was the best (most educational) part of this video for him.

[@kendravasiloff6974]

Thank you so much this video was very helpful I watched a ton of other videos on how to care for a Venus’s-flytrap but your video has been the most helpful out of all of them in his answer all my questions

[@whosthatgirl411]

Love the vid! Straight to the point with awesome tips 👏❤

[@joanolear3579]

Thank you! Ever year I purchase this plant to do better each time & fail. This will be very helpful!

[@4by_yotaguy373]

This was a terrific quick lesson! Fascinating!

[@emilyworthington7539]

Thank you! Down to the point. Can’t wait to become a plant mama.

[@shills.]

I just got one today, thanks for the great tips!

[@villainousshowerhairclump5871]

thank you!! very helpful! I have oddly strong maternal instincts for my venus fly trap and I've had it for just like 2 weeks 😂😂😂

[@bitchysophia6762]

Hows the plant doing?

[@shaokhan2845]

that bitch Sophia it is died

[@mikeb1189]

This plant is not a house plant or window sill plant. Highlight, humidity and winter dormancy. Unscrupulous seller

[@lonewolf.1751]

Lots of good info there, thank you.

[@judybraden1553]

WOW! I got yesterday .. I hope I can keep in a live.... keep up the the good work!

[@fin5354]

I was just gifted one for Christmas! Thanks for the info!

[@brandeeedwards6867]

Just got one of these love it 😻 need to feed it more often thanks for the info on them I’m. New mom sooo proud of myself might need to water less winter is here how ever thanks for the info

[@WthMan]

I just got a Venus Fly Trap this video was released helpful thank you!

[@leannejose3562]

This is so helpful! Thank you!

[@aprilthayne]

Thank you Ashley!

[@beausexon435]

Thank you, Ashley

[@Tumult9400]

quick and informative!

[@chrisbrewer8753]

So I recently got a venus fly trap and this was very helpful.

[@ihavenolife3334]

This is really helpful I got mine at Walmart and like two days ago

[@sammybrooks1228]

Been wanting one of these for years

[@earthrocker48]

I just got one and this helps a lot.

[@chrishobson6431]

Very useful thanks.

[@jordanharris5532]

great video

[@baxton3511]

Thanks plant girl for the help

[@MrVibriocholerae]

i have mine for almost 2 years now. i used to feed it very often and it grew rapidly. it tripled in size during the fist year. then i repotted it and left it outside to feed on its own. its still doing great.

[@McAmber]

Awesome video tutorial, thx :)

[@mafic3351]

My dad had them as a kid and fed them hamburger on tweezers. Edit: PLEASE DO YOUR RESEARCH! I'M NOT SAYING THIS IS A GOOD IDEA

[@josueanyosa3402]

Sounds like something a dad would do

[@lamontwells6663]

Me too 😂

[@pizzafab2350]

That kills them ;-;

[@moemoneysouth]

:-) hahahahahha

[@kayhandemirbag9746]

😂🤣

[@ttrandoms9736]

this is really helpful as I have just got one and have no experience.

[@themanwiththecrystaleyes464]

I bought a whole bunch of flytraps and pitcher plants for my garden, haven’t seen any bugs come near.

[@ratomatic8008]

Idk it depends where you live for me I just go around like a caveman swatting flies in every nook and cranny but go to your local pet store and try feeding them some mealworms maggots or bloodworms make sure to moisturize them though

[@norbertsreignofterror9418]

You can also feed them ants which should be suoer easy to find in any garden. Just sweeze the legs so they dont run away

[@xX_wiLLiam_Xx]

Feed them then

[@RedDem0n]

@@norbertsreignofterror9418 That's harsh. Poor little buggers

[@BrendasArt]

@@norbertsreignofterror9418 even if they antz they shouldn't be treated that cruel. quick death or no death at all, as we humans have enough knowledge to be better 😉😊

[@matejpfajfar8039]

Nice... I just got one last week. Thanks for advice cos I didnt know a thing about this plant until recently. (besides that it eats flys)

[@WhackyBrotherProductions]

thank you this helped alot

[@ilpigliamosche]

Thanks for your videos, they are very practical and simple.

[@babetweirdgirl4103]

Thank you!

[@ghod2035]

So excited!! Mine is coming next week!!

[@JackAttack2509]

You can get ‘em at Menards

[@lillysawesomelife3614]

thx i hope it will help

[@taroupriapus9760]

Cant wait to adopt one 😍🥰

[@captainngoose]

My mom bought me one from a website because I've been wanting one since I was a toddler. Thanks for this video, I'll do what I can to keep the little guy alive :3

[@miahnowdie2072]

Thank you 👍

[@winfrank1]

Thank you

[@southernguy35]

I've had good luck leaving the two I have in the original small containers and sitting them in a small glass dish that's about the size of the bottom of the pot. I actually got these at the dollartree and they were sold to put small amounts of catsup or other condiments in. They are in a west facing window and I give them distilled water in the dish about a half inch to an inch. It literally will soak the water up as you watch. It's getting cooler now and if the little pot is dry, I give it a half inch of water. They've done very well with this routine. I had four in early summer that were outside in a larger pot but it got unusually hot for that time of year and they dried out too much, too fast. I see them for sale now in November but think why buy them when they're about to go dormant? thinking of branching out next year to some of the pricier ones I've seen online.

[@NickBotha]

Thanks

[@dankus4497]

I bought a small one today! Ugh this is a lot of work but I like them

[@TranNguyen-sw7wu]

I’ve never been interested in keeping plants but this one really intrigues me. I don’t care what anyone says, venus flytrap is hella cute 😅

[@PrisonerDemonic]

I just got my new one thx for thetip

[@fishing1335]

They're so cute awh. I want one.

[@Phantomfizz]

I have 7 named Marty McFly, Doc, Buzz, Woody, Bullseye, and Pott. I love them all

[@Sijaylightening]

I just bought one for the kids. I was fascinated by it. I was thinking 1 bug each but good to know 1 bug for the plant lol

[@3cheese711]

I bought drops to feed the venus fly traps im getting and i was wondering if that would be a good alternative instead of bugs?

[@shankarmedhi8074]

thanks

[@MjDused808]

I live in Hawaii, is it okay to use the tap water here? I was just curious since our tap water is considered rainwater that's just filtered through, according to our Board of Water Supply.

[@wsgtyce]

I decided to put my fly trap on an east window since the sun rises and basically shines there is that okay?

[@naturalselection4548]

There seems to be a few conflicting suggestions here. If I'm growing a plant indoors, do I just need to water it or do I need to feed it once a month?

[@masoncage420]

I'm a totally amatuer VFT grower. Always been fascinated by them as a kid [I'm 34 now by the way] but just got my 1st one last summer. Did A LOT of research on them and cared good for them all the way up until it went dormant in late October ish [can't remember for sure] but since about October/November my 2 plants have been sitting in a cupboard cut off from sunlight, food, stimulation, and water [my bad on that last part I'm beginning to think]. So I just took them outta their winter hibernation cupboard and took them outside and began watering them today. But this is the 1st time they've had ANY attention in about 5 months. Above the "soil" all I can see are the black dead stems and traps from when it went into hibernation. The medium they are in, which is the correct kind, was BONE DRY b4 I started watering them today. Did I kill my vft by not watering it AT ALL since about 5 months ago? Or should I just clip away all the dead sprouts and wait for the new buds to come back up. Or won't they come back? I think that's about all the information I needed to provide. Really hoping I didn't kill my VFTs cuz I think the store I got them from is prolly closed now cuz of this pandemic going on these days.

[@Orblinkluv]

Hey I'm wondering if you could give us an update on if it lived or not?

[@bjjbrawler1]

5 months w/ no water? Yeah they're dead. I'm approaching my first winter dormancy w/ my fly traps and hoping for the best. Dont give up though! Theyre awesome hobby plants.

[@vishnubissessar2898]

My grandson likes his he is amazed by it😊

[@antoniajimenez9566]

Helpful

[@-AnyWho]

my plants are always eating something, soon I will be putting them in the frig for dormancy, just waiting for the first real frost. do I need to be concerned at all about traps with food still in them when I put them in the frig?

[@sidnay1529]

When I bought mine, it came in a little plastic thing, and when I took it out some of the heads closed. Should I have to worry? How long does it take for them to open up again?

[@Narlgoth]

Thanks for the vid, I have apparently accidentally taken care of my plant by not feeding it over winter (although add water every few days to its plate). We have 3 colonies, all of which are preparing to flower with long stalks which extend away from the deadly feeding leaves (so it doesn't eat its pollination allies). We intend to transfer them to a larger pot once they have finished flowering, any tips for safely transferring them? We have the right soil but is there a way to safely separate the 3 colonies so we can plant them with more space?

[@Jasminerogers865]

Accidentally took care of it 😂😂

[@SMXshow]

Mine arrived in the post today. However all the traps are closed and some of them are filled with soil. Should I be concerned?

[@oskarkulig1345]

Thx

[@yunhin9631]

What if my venus flytrap keeps catching mosquitoes, i mean i live in the tropics so there's tons of sunlight, so is it ok?

[@ebogar42]

They probably catch those a lot in nature. They're from the coast in NC and SC. They have mosquitoes there.

[@lisabrown3806]

How much sand and sphagnum moss do you mix together?

[@MarkoutMoviePodcast]

I have a venus fly trap and the other traps withered away and i have one stem still trying to grow it hasn't fully formed yet. Is there any way to savage the others?

[@Sabuda80]

For the tray of water and Rocks, can it be Tap Water?

[@archiereed4049]

Can these live in an unfinished basement? I have some flies, crickets, and spiders down there I’d like to get rid of. There is 1 small basement window well I was thinking of putting it by for sunlight, but I’m not sure if this be adequate for the plant

[@DavidBondMathatBerryCollege]

I felt like my Venus fly trap was dieing I got it at pikes a couple days ago it had plenty of water and i kept it outside until night but I found this video helpful thanks

[@ledaotuanhuy]

Can we grow it indoor with desk lamp or aquatic lamp? Thanks.

[@bekeycoconut9990]

My Venus Fly Trap is Growing with My Strawberry Plants . I let it be wild together.

[@noodle6286]

Hey, my traps have all died due to dormancy but a stem has started growing but the tip has a black stub and is green and the bulb is healthy. Can I get some help as to what this is?

[@angelsworld1733]

Are you supposed to transplant them or just stay in the small pot?

[@amyjade9538]

If I have them sitting in a tray full of water all year round do I still need to water them?

[@mackaylastephenson4339]

Be careful you could give it root rot!

[@Live.Love.Laugh420]

can anyone provide some links to appropriate potting soils needed ? please 🙏

[@666kvlt]

cutest plant evee

[@ty_hens]

I love how she clarified that poking them is okay (a limited amount) lool

[@GhostMojojojo]

can they survive in just watering? what if i cant find live crickets or flies?

[@jessicajacobs2109]

Can these be left outside to feed themselves or do you need to hand feed to control it.

[@random_person3191]

I have a question about water, I am not sure how to get water like that, water from a tap is not good, I would assume that even going through a brita or something would not fix it so, how do I get it?

[@VortexAnimatez]

This helps so much! Its my birthday and I just got a venus fly trap!

[@Albie_yt]

hows it doin?

[@VortexAnimatez]

Thanks for asking! Its great and always basking in the sun! :)

[@Albie_yt]

@@VortexAnimatez Nice!

[@alexventura5519]

is hawaii weather okay for this plant?? especially oahu?

[@alinadragomir9837]

Question: Can you do the jar thing with water and rocks for humidity during cold winter too?

[@TimmyKawaii]

Nah , i haven't done that to Audrey |||| and he has been alright , in winter i keep him in the fridge and water him every other day . hope this helps

[@malwareshop]

I really love this plant. By the way, so I have to feed them ONCE a month?

[@samarajwk]

Tardisgrade yes once they can get other bugs by themselves and bugs are basically their fertilizer and you would never wanna give carnivorous plants actual fertilizer

[@Zarium]

My venus fly trap wont open (I just got it recently) I live in Canada so it is fairly cold, but ive been using a heater in my room keeping it close to my window in the light, but it wont open for me to feed it

[@squawkcentral6949]

cool!

[@nietzscheslover]

I'm confused about the dormancy thing. The plants need to be put in the fridge every year? I just got mine and it's november. Do I need to put it away soon? And is just putting it in the fridge how it is, in its soil, suitable? As for feeding it, it seems to find flies around here even though it's November! I've seen new flies in it. It's also kinda warm in my room. So can i just skip the dormancy and keep my room warmish or does it need to be in a fridge for a while?

[@primeoozarururalsmith4403]

Another video I watched the guy says he brings them indoors during winter, and they can cool down to 45 degrees, he does that Dec to about March if I remember correctly. here is the link kzbin.info/www/bejne/anOtYoKcl6msgKs

[@DanishButterCookie]

If its a hot climate then yes, you need to depot the plant and put it in the fridge in an enclosed bag. In subtropical climates you leave the plant outside for around 2-3 months.