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Dionaea muscipula (Venus fly trap)

Other names: Venus mouse trap

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Species
D. muscipula is a variable, rosette-forming, evergreen, insectivorous perennial with hinged, rounded, trap-like, yellow-green to red leaves with marginal spines and erect stems bearing white flowers in summer.
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Season of interest

Flower

Spring Summer Autumn Winter
Flower

Foliage

Spring Summer Autumn Winter
Foliage
Height and spread

Height and spread

Size Max height Max spread To maturity
0.3 m 0.25 m 2-5 years
0 ft 0 ft 2-5 years

Where to grow

Soil type
  • Sandy
Soil drainage
  • Boggy damp conditions
  • Moisture-retentive
Soil pH
  • Acid
Sunlight
  • Full Sun
Aspect
  • East
  • West
  • South
  • North
Exposure
  • Sheltered

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Additional plant details

Cultivation

Grow in an acid mix of equal parts peat and lime-free sand in full or bright filtered light. Water regularly, ideally with rainwater or stand in a shallow container of water changed weekly. Outdoors, grow in boggy conditions in moist, acid soil in sun.

Suggested uses

Containers/Patio, Bog garden, Indoor, Conservatory

UK hardiness

H3

USDA zones

Zone 8, Zone 9, Zone 10, Zone 11

Sunset zone

WUCOLS

North-Central Coastal = Unknown
Central Valley = Unknown
South Coastal = Unknown
South Inland = Unknown
High and Intermediate Desert = Inappropriate
Low Desert = Inappropriate

Foliage

Evergreen

Habit

Rosette

Native to

Southeastern United States

Drought tolerant

No

Flood tolerant

No

Toxicity

Not toxic

Plant care

Pruning

Pinch out flower stems and remove faded or dead 'traps' as needed.

Propagation methods

Seed, Division, Leaf cuttings

Pests

Diseases

Divide and replant in spring

Protect from hard winter frosts

Bring tender indoors if container grown (in cold areas)

Plant tender plants after danger of frost has passed (late spring, early summer)

Sow seeds in containers with heat (spring)

Other plants

Plants in this Genus (2)

Dionaea

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Dionaea muscipula
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Dionaea muscipula Venus fly trap
Dionaea muscipula 'WIP Slim Snapper'
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Dionaea muscipula 'WIP Slim Snapper' Venus fly trap 'WIP Slim Snapper'
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Companion plants (0)

Related content

Discuss Dionaea muscipula with other Shoot members

Re: venus fly trap watering

Shoot User
597 0
I dont think you are doing anything wrong, they naturally die down or 'go dormant' in the darker months of the year, and also after the traps have caught and digested something. I would advise reducing watering to a minimum, i.e.. keeping the tray of water it sits in very low but constant and keeping it in a cool place so it can get a proper rest. Oh- and only use rainwater as tap water will kill it =S
Posted: Monday 12th of January 2015 03:09 PM

venus fly trap watering

Anne Doble
597 1
I'm minding a couple of these for friends who are away for 5 weeks. She told me to always keep water under them, but some of the shoots are turning black. What am I doing wrong?
Posted: Friday 2nd of January 2015 02:48 PM Last reply: Saturday 1st of March 2025 12:07 PM
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