How to Encourage a Venus Flytrap to Close | Gardener's Path

How to Encourage a Venus Flytrap to Close

The Venus flytrap, Dionaea muscipula, is one of approximately 180 flowering carnivorous plants in the Droseraceae or sundew family.

It’s a species right out of a science fiction story, with a gaping red mouth and jagged jaws ready to chomp down on unsuspecting insect prey.

We link to vendors to help you find relevant products. If you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission.

In our guide to growing Venus flytraps, we cover how to cultivate these unique plants at home.

This article discusses how to encourage Venus flytraps to close so you can witness their most fascinating feature.

Here’s what we’ll cover:

Let’s learn about this carnivorous wonder of the plant kingdom!

Venus flytraps are flowering perennials native to the bogs of North and South Carolina.

They are winter-hardy in USDA Hardiness Zones 7 to 10 and may survive in Zones 5 and 6 with cold-weather protection. They can be grown as houseplants in all zones.

The species performs best in full sun to part shade, moderate humidity of approximately 50 percent, and consistently moist, acidic, nutrient-poor soil.

Those cultivating indoors should grow it in equal parts of whole-fiber sphagnum peat moss and sharp sand or coarse vermiculite.

Ideal cultivation temperatures are 70 to 95°F during the growing season and conditions as low as 40°F are tolerated during winter dormancy.

During the dormant season, remove all blackened foliage and water minimally.

In the spring, leafless stems up to 12 inches tall bear upturned, fragrant white blossoms. The foliage grows in a mound at the base of the plant and consists of stalks with terminal leaves.

Mature heights are six to 12 inches with a spread of six to