The Complete Venus Fly Trap Care Guide 🌱

Learn how to care for Venus flytraps from start to finish. This video covers beginner and intermediate growing tips and information to achieve healthy Venus flytraps.
Download fee Venus fly trap care sheet at venusflytrapworld.com/care
Info Guide - Carnivorous Plant Soil: venusflytrapworld.com/the-bes...
Recommended Products
Carnivorous Plant Soil
Carnivorous plant soil: amzn.to/3uVbg39
Pure peat moss for carnivorous plants: amzn.to/3vTqirs (you might find a cheaper option on local gardening stores, make sure you buy PURE peat)
Pure perlite: amzn.to/3ppckLF
Artificial Lighting
Small plant light for 1-4 plants: amzn.to/2RsGlxr
T8 LED light fixture for multiple plants (6500k Cool White): amzn.to/3uWoeh2
The T8 light fixtures do not come with timer functions; you will need an intelligent outlet like this: amzn.to/3fUdN9p
Pots
Nursery pots for single plants: amzn.to/34Q6byu
Net pots for single plants: amzn.to/2TMqgDJ
TDS Meter: amzn.to/2RGzwIU
Dried crickets to feed carnivorous plants: amzn.to/34QEnKv
0:00 Venus flytraps and minerals
0:50 Soil requirements
1:40 Water-type and requirements
3:40 Pots and growing containers
5:11 Proper lighting and acclimation
7:02 Feeding requirements
8:22 Black leaves
9:16 Dormancy
11:09 Pests
11:55 Big Don'ts for Venus Flytraps

[@venusflytrapworld]

Do you have any questions? Or topic suggestions? Feel free to share them below 😉

[@failedstateprepper326]

Hey how's it going? So I bought a rough looking trap a couple months ago from a Walmart. Didn't really think it would survive. Threw it on a shelf under a grow light on a shelf in a tray of distilled water after transplanting it in some new soil mix. It's mid frickin September, the leaves are growing well and flared out like the hood of a cobra which is awesome. Looks 100 times better than when I bought it. It's now trying to flower. The stem is starting to grow (looks much different from another leaf forming). Should I allow it to bloom or should I snip the dang thing. I keep it indoors but I'll be trying to follow the natural dormancy period for a wild trap in the Carolinas. To me it seems too late into the season for it to flower without it causing problems later on. I know flower can deplete the plants energy for the following season

[@venusflytrapworld]

@@failedstateprepper326 great to hear your plant is growing strong 👍 And you are right about the flowering, it will drain your plants energy. To prevent that you can cut the stalks, unless u want to collect seeds.

[@charmayneperez1674]

I was recently given my first venus flytrap. To be specific, less than 10days. I was advised that on the 4th to 11th day I need to put it in a location with sunlight from 6am to 10am and from 12th day onwards its 6am to 3pm. Unfortunately, weather has been erratic lately (sunny then rain). I'm unsure whether my plant could grow healthy. Hoping to be given tips on how to properly care for them. Thanks in advance!

[@venusflytrapworld]

Congrats on my your first vft! First, don't worry too much. You only had your plant for a few days and a delay in acclimation shouldn't be a big deal. Like they said, start by providing a few hours of sunlight for a week, then increase a couple of hours every 2 days until the plants just lives outdoors.

[@AviationExpert001]

My first ever venus flytraps were delivered by lorry in the winter because shops weren't selling them and they look droopy is there any way to fix this?

[@sickofsnow1506]

Thank you so much. My daughter went out of town for the week and I’m so nervous about plant sitting. This has really eased my mind.

[@venusflytrapworld]

Glad the video helped 😄

[@Mouth4War88]

Is that plant still alive?

[@sickofsnow1506]

@@Mouth4War88 yup Her name is Plantee and she is alive and well.

[@SATANFUCKSMYSOUL]

@@sickofsnow1506 cute! I really want a venusflytrap and name him Chomper (the carnivorous plant in plants vs zombies) :P

[@Brooksforlife]

@@SATANFUCKSMYSOUL Just got mine its name is pumpkin!

[@LOSKOSKI]

Im 43 and I've always wanted one since I was a kid and never got around to getting one, yesterday me and my son were walking around Walmart of all places and they had racks and racks of these things that looked like they were about to die. We grabbed about a dozen of them. Thank you for all the information! We needed it! ✌️

[@Neocaridina]

Same! I'm 43, and finally gave in and bought one at Sprouts.

[@venusflytrapworld]

Amazing!! Enjoy your new plant 🌱

[@jaydengarcia8171]

Wow this video gave the exact 100% information that anybody will need for a Venus flytrap. She did not miss any steps or guidelines for this process. I give this video a 10/10 great job!!

[@devonlockwood1477]

Agreed 👍

[@goldieslacks]

My son and I went and bought some Venus fly traps back in February. So far they are doing well. One is flowering now and they have been catching gnats like crazy. I love the little Venus fly traps. I am glad we got them.

[@KaylaKasel]

If they start flowering, that's generally considered a bad thing.

[@goldieslacks]

@@KaylaKasel why is it?

[@no-rg5lc]

The flowers take away enwrgy

[@goldieslacks]

@@no-rg5lc I cut it off and now my plant is struggling. I know now that cutting them off isn’t wise. They need them.

[@chico_off_a_bean552]

They catch gnats? That’s great to hear I figured they’d be too small to trigger their hairs.

[@barrelbobcat428s_rebelion6]

Thanks for this. I was recently Seymour in a production of little shop of horrors and was gifted a venus flytrap by a friend

[@shanoncollier769]

Feed me Seymour!!! Love it. Bought a VFT today and named him Seymour for that reason.

[@carmonk9243]

Awesome!!!

[@bonnieupnorth2438]

This is the most informative video I’ve found about Fly Traps. Thank you for taking the time to make it, you answered a lot of questions I had about them.

[@venusflytrapworld]

Glad you liked it

[@LolaNicoleBlogs]

Yes, my husband just bought me one for my first “house plant” lol and I’m excited to care for it and watch it grow. ☺️

[@kimwolf5053]

Yes but very sadly a lot of it is wrong.

[@scamdem1c]

can they catch roaches?

[@drastic_matt9855]

​@@scamdem1c not really because it's to big but if it's little yes

[@joshuahollis2069]

I could listen to her talk about Venus fly traps all day long 😍

[@ellenjoymaunes0530]

Thank you for this. I'm just a beginner in this stuff. I've always dreamed of having venus fly traps and hope to learn more.

[@caramelfrappuccino234]

Me, too

[@kkkokkki]

I just bought a tiny Venus flytrap yesterday and I'm eager to take care of it. That's how I ended up here. Secondly I'm grateful that this was the first video I watched because it is very helpful and answered a lot of questions, doubts and information to a beginner like me. I was recently diagnosed with panic attacks and generalized anxiety disorder, so along the way I decided to buy the Venus flytrap to distract me from...awful involuntary thoughts. It's a win-win for me and to the plant. I read that they represent 'persistence'. Due to the fact that if the plant has failed to seize a visiting fly, the mouth opens again to try once more. Thanks a lot for your guidance! Your knowledge is important.

[@dogmom240]

Very informative. I got two traps last spring, placed them in styrofoam cups, now the cups are covered with babies. Just waiting till end of February to transplant into multiple cups. Got way too many. Learned how to grow from your website, glad to see this video, your site is great, covers everything!

[@kimwolf5053]

Sorry, please don't pot in styrofoam - the worst thing ever.

[@snowythealicorn5784]

​@@kimwolf5053Reduce reuse recycle. Shes not throwing the cups in a garden, she's using them.

[@heyjohna]

I wish all plant videos were this informative and concise. And with no annoying background music on continuous loop.

[@zachgarrett6695]

Excellent video and vocabulary! My daughter has successfully cared for her flytrap for about 4 years now and it’s our favorite plant.

[@MaryMakes]

Very informative thank you! I’m an experienced gardener but new to fly traps 😀

[@lunapuella2611]

Great video. I just bought my first Venus Fly Trap and needed all of this information. Thank you.

[@alimaelkan]

I’ve watched so many video, trying to find answers to my questions. But here you’ve given me all the needed info in one video. Thank you!

[@johndoe1.196]

A lot of good information, thank you. I had no idea about the special soil or tap water. You probably saved my plant's life.

[@JPLewcun]

Thanks so much! Just discovered your channel. I’ve always been fascinated by these and just found one at my local Aldi and added it to my window shelf. Just learning everything I can and you are great!

[@venusflytrapworld]

Awesome to hear that

[@natalisaraviaauza]

I just got my first Venus flytrap today. Thank you so much for your video! I learned a lot and I’m a lot less nervous. Thank you!!

[@wilnellialima9944]

me too!

[@ILuvCaroline]

Me three!

[@Jorge-125]

How's it holding up? I just got one today and it ate a fly.

[@yj4003]

Nre fouzdsr

[@fatalfae2]

THANKYOU for this video, I was worried about dormancy but you covered all of that and more, awesome stuff

[@plantguy9]

Finding the pots isn't really hard, plastic pots do really well. Just stay away from terra cotta clay pots cause of the salts that will eventually leech into the soil.

[@belowbob2434]

terra cotta has salts?

[@plantguy9]

@@belowbob2434 yes as well as other minerals that are harmful to not just flytraps but any carnivorous plant.

[@belowbob2434]

@@plantguy9 oh

[@desireereynolds577]

Shit.... I'm doing everything wrong..... I'm amazed mine is still alive... Guess I should go transplant mine.

[@swedishwildlife916]

Dose metal pots work?

[@Dunja0712]

Your video is very informative and straight to the point, thank you for that. :) I got my first venus flytrap for my birthday in December, and all of us at the party gathered to watch it hahaha. :) We poked it a bit to see it close, but I left it alone since then. Watching your video I realized that I've been doing everything right so far. And the plant seems to be happy, it's growing new leaves and I think it's even about to blossom! But I had no idea about dormancy. I'm a little afraid to leave it outside now because the difference indoor and outdoor is huge, but I'll figure something out next winter I hope.

[@ssummer9318]

I recommend trimming the flower stalks once they get to 5cm tall because it takes a lot of energy (unless you intend to harvest seed, but that's a little advanced).

[@geethaortac5394]

I really love your channel. Your instructions are so clear and I have been feeling so much more confident taking of my new Venus fly trap. Thank you so much ❤

[@RichNH]

Thanks for your advice. I just bought my first plant and am looking forward to helping it grow. I didn't realize what I was getting into when I bought it, but your video has shed a lot of light on the do's and don'ts.

[@randygreen6652]

Inert media.. distilled water.. high humidity!!. Awesome video i knew zero about these things just knew they eat 🪰. Thank you!! They are fascinating

[@talkingfez1265]

I'm glad you said not to Venus Flytraps meat because that's what a Lowes Employee said on my third one! I haven't much luck with them unfortunately, they always end up dying!

[@CarnivorousPlantsHub]

Yes, this is a great callout. People feeding their plants meat is so silly. It will also likely lead to the death of that trap and maybe even the plant.

[@snowythealicorn5784]

​@@CarnivorousPlantsHubi used to feed mine gnats cause it was too little to catch them on its own

[@hoshiko4876]

This was super helpful! This is probably the most extensive guide abt venus flytraps I've ever seen. I never knew that flytraps have a pot preference n I just kept mine in ceramic cuz I thought it's "objectively" the best material for all plants. I ordered a plastic pot n I'm planning to replant my venus flytrap this week :))

[@snowythealicorn5784]

Can i ask? When repotting the plsnt, do you keep the soil its in? So put the whole soil in the new pot?

[@jaimephillips1699]

This has been a big help for me as a beginner to venus flytraps, and someone who is pretty bad at taking care of plants in general, this has been an amazing help for me to understand how to properly take care of them and hopefully get better at gardening.

[@Mr.Peanut1986]

This is the most comprehensive, and spectacular video I have ever seen online concerning venus fly traps. Sincerely, thank you.

[@willitine]

Great care guide for Venus Fly Traps. Thank you. 👍

[@venusflytrapworld]

Im glad you liked it. Thanks for watching!

[@chepo1956]

Hello, Jose from Puerto Rico. I have 2 Venus Fly Traps and 1 Sundew. Sun is no problem here, since I have tropical weather all year round. Very nice video. You covered many questions I had. I just subscribed to your channel. Even though I live in a tropical area, It did go dormant for a couple of months during November thru March. Then the leaves started to grow more robust again.

[@oshmanuelcustomlures4831]

Eso me pregungaba yo por que aca no hay frio.

[@Olehippylady]

Thank you for your time educating me on this plant.

[@heatherkeathley9124]

THANK YOU SO MUCH! BEST VIDEO, BY FAR, FOR NEW VENUS OWNERS! Its very appreciated!!

[@makoto_is_me]

I’ve had my Venus flytrap for about a year and it’s doing well. One thing I’ve noticed is that although it occasionally catches bugs and flys the traps always die off before it finishes digesting. I have just brought a sarracenia purpurea venosa (a pitcher plant).

[@tea8053]

I wonder what would cause them to die off before fininishing digestion. maybe it’s using too much energy to consume it?

[@MariaElena-sm2pz]

This happens when the insect is too big that the lids don’t shut completely. That being said, the plant cannot digest whilst the lid is still slightly opened. It had to be completely closed. It helps if you buy meal worms and cut them to the size of your plant.

[@Piedhiper]

One of my students gave me these as a present and I'm excited to see it grow! Thank you for the helpful tips :)

[@jrnvanderknaap4119]

I just bought a Venus Fly Trap. This is the best care guide I found so far!

[@SillyKash09]

This is such useful info. I had no idea how fussy they were! And I especially would not have known about them needing to go dormant .

[@AlmaMariaRinasz]

This is the ultimate beginners video! Thank you!

[@morganchojnacki204]

Incredibly informative and well organized video. You are so knowledgeable-great job! A quick question. Venus fly traps typically grow in 7/8-10. I am in zone 6. I know dormancy of 3-4 months is very important for longevity of the plant, but it does get below 20 degrees F in zone 6. What do you suggest I do to allow the dormancy period, but prevent the very cold frost from killing the plant? Thanks for your input!

[@snowythealicorn5784]

Fridge?

[@robertmccartney12]

Thank you. I am just exploring carnivorious plants and you have helped greatly.

[@laurynmcghan3460]

Thank you SO much for creating and sharing this video. I have watched sooooo many tik toks and videos on how to take care of the venus fly trap and so far this video is the best!

[@YorozuyaNeesan2010]

Thank you for all this great beginner advice! We just got out little guy today and I'm excited to see him grow. I do have a couple of questions: 1) About watering during dormancy. Will it require the same watering method all this time, so like you suggested, watering from the bottom with a small plastic tray? 2) Also, if we do happen to find pests, what kind of sprays or treatments are safe to use on them? Thanks for your time and help!

[@moe3826]

Really good question I hope someone has an answer !

[@robertserrano5235]

This was awesome thank you for your time on this!

[@xxxxredxxxx]

You’re the best!! I can’t express enough how helpful this is 🌼

[@lifestapestry2968]

Great review, how do you know when it's time to repot the plant ? On regular plants you can see the roots appearing at the base of the pot, I cannot see the roots with mine.....

[@lizmartin1388]

Thank you for sharing your wealth of knowledge! I bought a VFT to (hopefully) aid in ridding my house of these evil fruit flies that seem to be determined to live in my home forever.

[@CarnivorousPlantsHub]

Hey Liz, carnivorous plants are great for attracting and taking out insects. However, venus flytraps are not great for taking out gnats or fruit flies. There is a carnivorous plant that is really awesome for it though, I actually just did a video on one, you should go check it out! The Ping family are excellent at catching smaller critters like fruit flies and fungus gnats!

[@ILuvCaroline]

Hey Liz! Use apple cider vinegar Diluted with a bit of water in small styrofoam cups around house. It will attract fruit flies and kill them

[@sineater3919]

This was super informative… exactly what I was looking for! Thank you!

[@valeriejimenez8674]

I just bought my first Venus flytrap! I’m so excited to take care of it! 🥰

[@mysticalwolfakela4131]

We actually bought one today. I know nothing about them. I went straight to KZbin and came across your video. Thank you for this information. The warning on ours say not to put it directly in sunlight? .. but you said you can. I'm confused?

[@venusflytrapworld]

Congrats on your new plant! Don't be afraid of direct sunlight, vfts thrive in sunny locations 🌞 Unfortunately, the instructions in some vfts can be misleading. Here is a bit more related info: kzbin.info/www/bejne/f6q1q3xrgdZ7f6M

[@rsotojr]

Ha, same. Just bought one from Home Depot haha

[@mjdonnelly7150]

I have 25 different carnivorous plants, 8 of which are venus fly traps , they thrive in full sun, but always sitting in a tray of water. They’re big plants. The more sun the redder their color too!

[@RG-cn1ep]

Thank you so much!! There is so much other care advice out there that contradicts other information.. I appreciate you sharing your knowledge.

[@franciscofelicio9303]

Thank you! Just got my first Venus Fly Trap and can't wait to take care of it :)

[@arachnoskull6311]

HI, I got a good looking Venus Fly Trap from walmart of all places to help with a fruit fly/fungus gnat problem in my tarantula/fish/reptile room. I use coconut soil (coir) and long fiber sphagnum moss for my tarantulas can I use coconut coir for Venus Fly Trap Substrate? I used a TDS Meter on the RODI water i used to rehydrate the coconut soil i got a low reading of 11PPM (parts per million) my RODI water is 0 to 1 so yes there is some dissolved solids but the pH of the water from rehydrateng the coconut soil was 5.0 so I don't think it's a mineral and if it is it's such a small amount it shouldn't cause proplems but i wanted your thoughts on coconut coir :)

[@venusflytrapworld]

First, great combination pets+ vfts :) The RODI water you describe seems on point for Venus flytraps. Personally, I have not used coco coir, not sure if it is safe. Pure long fiber sphagnum moss works well though.

[@becwils3202]

Is there a certain time of year the Venus Fly Traps naturally go into dormancy or is it dependent on which type of plant you have?

[@venusflytrapworld]

In the winter months if it is cold enough

[@becwils3202]

Thank you. Right after I posted my question, I found your video on dormancy, lol.

[@ErlEquestrian888]

This is my dream plant, I’m getting it tomorrow! And this was useful!

[@user-pe3wy9jh8z]

I'm picking up my Venus Fly Trap today and am so glad I came across your video. I was about to make some big mistakes. I'm more confident now.

[@abbygonzalez1166]

What insects do you recommend feeding Venus fly traps?

[@CarnivorousPlantsHub]

Honestly, houseflies are probably the best! Mealworms work great too, alive or dead. Make sure the insect does not have a super hard exterior like a cockroach. They can't digest the hard exteriors. Also make sure it's not too squishy, like an earth worm. Flies, mealworms, crickets those can work the best. Make sure the insect is only about a 3rd the size of the plant or the trap might turn black and die from not being able to close all the way. The flytrap has a secondary response after it closes. To avoid trying to digest something that isn't a bug, it won't trigger the digestive enzyme unless the thing inside moves around. To trigger this with a dead mealworm or fly, you can gently massage the outside of the flytrap once it's closed for about a minute. This should be long enough to trigger the digestive enzyme so it seals all the way and eats the insect! Great question though!

[@SATANFUCKSMYSOUL]

@@CarnivorousPlantsHub can u feed dead crickets? The ones u would feed a lizard?

[@debbieday6027]

My children fed ours Cheetos. It died. The moral of the story is Cheetos will kill you, at least, that's what I told my kids. 🤣

[@bethgreenbcg]

I got my first Venus fly trap today and this has really cleared up all my questions for him! Thankyou

[@ecamccoll9199]

You are literally saving me!!! Thank you so much!!

[@heatherbukowski2102]

Your accent is mesmerizinggggg

[@venusflytrapworld]

Thank you!

[@LilybethII]

Thank you so much for that video. I've just realised that I threw away my dormant plant in the winter 😂 I recently got a new one and I'm very determined to give it the best care possible. 😊

[@AaronSmith-my2dh]

Thanks so much for this video, I bought a Venus fly trap from Wegmans last year and managed to somehow instinctively do all of these steps aside from re potting the plant!!! My plant has almost outgrown the store container after hibernation and after watching this video I’m really excited and want to buy more !!!!

[@synthpro]

Fantastic video. I picked one of these up at Lowe's last weekend and learning lots.

[@savanbanan51]

This is a really amazing video! So thorough and clear! Thank you!

[@louisestark1099]

This has been so so helpful. Thank you for your content 🥰

[@jurgenkolinek4142]

Best and most informative video ever!! Followed the instructions for a year, and my plant is growing very nicely!! Thank You

[@yougauurt]

Great video! Very informative and helpful

[@bile897]

Omg thank you, I want to try again. I love these so much.

[@paullea7862]

Thank you for this great video. Just about covers everything I could ever want to know.......with a smile as well !

[@celestinaanderson3979]

Great video. Thanks! Just got my very first trap today!❤

[@kathleenblanchette18]

Thank you! This was great for us as beginners! ❤

[@aminicodemus4686]

I just bought one today! This video helps! 💟

[@Jude13able]

I have noticed that rain water make my plants look refreshed and more bright in color.

[@CarlHeinHamel]

Thank you for taking the time to make this video!

[@uhm2740]

Thank you! Getting some Venus fly traps soon and this really helped!

[@CMLee81]

Bought a flytrap today at the local grocery store. Thanks so much for all the great information!

[@bhumphries1360]

I cannot thank you enough for making such an informative video!

[@katiewho44]

You were so helpful thank you so much🖤🖤

[@juanmelgar152]

I just bought one and your video super helped me. Thank you so much.

[@TheGreatBlumpkin]

Awesome info you saved my plants!

[@will2-b150]

Exactly what I needed, Thanks for posting. 👍

[@sparklerose222]

Thanks for All your help! Very useful information,

[@j.watson9060]

Just bought a flytrap so this was very helpful. I'm a serial plant killer, but I will do my best thanks.

[@venusflytrapworld]

Glad it helped!

[@ThatDamnRaccoon]

Thanks for all the advice and positivity!

[@peggyhull2242]

Thanks I'm a beginner with this plant. Thanks for all the info

[@DrNickBailey]

Best venus flytrap video ever. Thank you.

[@PassBluntBoss]

Thank you I just got one it's my first plant so this helped out a ton! Liked 👍

[@danielchase262]

I could watch and listen to you talk about anything. :) thanks for the helpful tips.

[@wendyroseate]

Thank you, this was very helpful!

[@patriciamiller-schwartz6767]

Thank you so much for this information. This is my first year to have one.

[@JustinPeddie]

Thank you for the in-depth info!

[@khemrajsukram]

Thank you so much for all this useful information!

[@wonderlandrious6116]

This is a lovely video, thank you so much for the information!

[@maskiks]

You are so adorable! Such a great video! Thank you! It was very interesting to know a bit more about these fly traps, and now I definitely consider to purchase one for the next summer! :)

[@lucyavila9299]

I lover everything about this video! Youre so incredibly knowledgeable

[@j.spallin1502]

Thank you for this video. This was very helpful to get started. I had no idea about the sensitivity to minerals, so I now won't be using terra cotta pots. Now to see if I can save the two I got from the store. They are not happy

[@bellehorror7690]

I feel Like ive learned so much and deeply appreciate the links you provided. I was put in charge of a tiny VFT thats not doing well. I'm hoping its just dormant and will pop back up later.

[@mc2e100]

That is the best video that I've seen on Venus Fly Traps. I also enjoy her accent!

[@scotthughes7208]

Thanks for your video. Very helpful, especially about re potting.

[@chrismanfredi5205]

Got allot of great info about my VFT. Added bonus.. I could listen to her accent all day .