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Dionaea muscipula 'Reptile'

Venus Flytrap
Availability:
Out of stock
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Original price £19.99 - Original price £19.99
Original price
£19.99
£19.99 - £19.99
Current price £19.99
Supplied in a 9cm Pot

You’ll receive one established division growing in a 9cm pot with soil perfect for Venus flytraps. Plant size and seasonal appearance will vary; photos show our mother plants.

Seasonal Information

Dionaea are perennial plants. Heading into Winter, the Venus flytraps may have very few traps when purchased. Don't worry, they'll be back in the Spring!

Delivery Information

Delivery from £4.99 (mainland UK). We aim to dispatch orders within 2 working days.

Plant Description

Dionaea muscipula 'Reptile' is a Venus flytrap cultivar selected and named by the German grower Kai Becker. At first glance, the plant has the appearance of a standard Venus flytrap, but closer inspection reveals the unusual feature that gives the cultivar its name.

The defining characteristic of Dionaea muscipula 'Reptile' is the textured underside of its petioles. During the growing season, especially in summer, raised bumps, ridges, and small projections develop along the leaves, creating a surface that resembles reptile scales or the skin of a lizard. This mutation is most obvious on mature growth and becomes increasingly pronounced as the plant develops through the season.

The traps remain fairly typical in size and shape, with bright green outer lobes and red interiors developing under strong sunlight. Long, slender cilia frame each trap, while the unusual leaf texture provides a contrast that is rarely seen in other Venus flytrap cultivars. The plant grows vigorously, producing plenty of new leaves that allow the scaled appearance to become more noticeable over time.

Plant photos above are of our Dionaea muscipula 'Reptile' mother plants. Divisions are taken from the mother plants and are planted into 9cm pots to be sold. Division sizes can vary greatly and will always be sent largest first. If you'd like to know the size of a plant before ordering, please feel free to contact us.

Dionaea muscipula 'Reptile'

Basic Dionaea Care

Dionaea muscipula 'Reptile' is easy to care for, given the correct conditions. An unheated greenhouse is an ideal location. Here are the 3 golden rules for healthy Venus flytraps.

  1. Provide as much sun as possible.
  2. Keep their pots sat in 1-2cm of rainwater.
  3. Use acidic soil. A 1:1 peat moss & perlite mix is typical.

Take a look at our full, in-depth guide for more information.

FAQs

What compost/ soil should I use for Venus flytraps?

Use a low-nutrient carnivorous plant mix such as peat and perlite, or peat and silica sand (not builders’ sand). Avoid multi-purpose compost, garden soil, and anything with fertiliser added; these can burn the roots. If you prefer peat-free options, choose a carnivorous-plant-safe mix specifically formulated for these plants (test with one plant before using on your entire collection). Repotting into a fresh mix every year helps keep plants vigorous.

Do Venus flytraps need winter dormancy in the UK?

Yes. Dionaea are temperate carnivorous plants and naturally go dormant in winter. In the UK, dormancy usually happens outdoors without intervention as days shorten and temperatures drop. During dormancy, growth slows or stops, and older traps may turn black and shrivel up; that’s normal. Keep the plant outside in a bright, airy spot, keep the compost damp (not waterlogged), and avoid keeping it warm indoors over winter. Dormancy is important for long-term health and strong growth in spring.

Can Venus flytraps live outside all year in the UK?

In most of the UK, yes, Dionaea are generally well-suited to outdoor growing. They can handle typical UK winter conditions while dormant. An unheated greenhouse will provide your plants with a longer growing season, though. Cultivars that are heavily deformed or delicate often do better in a greenhouse.

Do I need to use rainwater for Venus flytraps?

Rainwater is strongly recommended. Like most carnivorous plants, Dionaea can't tolerate minerals and salts that can build up in compost over time. Use rainwater, distilled water, or reverse-osmosis (RO) water whenever possible. If you’re stuck, some UK tap water is low enough in dissolved minerals to use occasionally, but long-term it can lead to slow growth and a gradual decline. When in doubt, rainwater is safest.

Do Venus flytraps need full sun?

Full sun is ideal. In a bright greenhouse or outdoors in a sunny position, you’ll get better colour, larger traps, and stronger growth. A little light shade is usually fine, but too much shade often causes weaker, greener growth and fewer traps. If you’re growing on a balcony, patio, or in a bog planter, choose the brightest spot you have.