Red Venus Flytraps

What should I feed my Venus flytrap?

Nothing. You do not need to offer any additional food to a Venus flytrap. They will catch their own food, especially when kept outdoors or in an unheated greenhouse

How do I water Venus flytraps?

• March–October: Stand the plant pot in a saucer or tray containing 1 to 2 cm of rainwater. The soil should never be allowed to dry out.
• November–February: Keep the soil just damp, reducing the standing water significantly while they rest.

Can I use tapwater for Venus flytraps?

No, unless you live in a very soft water area (<50ppm) do not use tapwater. Regular tap water contains minerals, lime, and chlorine that burn and kill the roots over time.
Always use collected rainwater, distilled water, or reverse-osmosis (RO) water.

Do Venus flytraps need winter dormancy?

Yes, Dionaea need a cold winter rest period (roughly from Halloween to Valentine's Day) with lower temperatures (unheated greenhouses, cold frames, or bright sheds). Their old traps will turn brown and die back; this is completely natural. Trim away dead growth to prevent mould (botrytis).

What kind of soil should I use for Venus flytraps?

Use a specialist peat-free or low-nutrient carnivorous plant compost, typically mixed with perlite or equivalent for drainage. Never use standard multi-purpose garden compost, which contains too many nutrients.