The Venus flytrap is a carnivorous plant widely kept as a houseplant due to its unique preying habits. While having such an exotic plant may seem tempting, remember that such plants need proper care for them to grow well. The Venus flytrap can be susceptible to various diseases and issues. Now question arises how to take care of a Venus flytrap?
Venus Fly Trap Care
So, let us explore the factors which will help you take proper care of your Venus flytrap and enable it to grow well –
- Water
- Light
- Temperature
- Soil
1. Water
Water plays a vital role in ensuring that your plant grows well. Generally, the Venus flytrap is found in a tropical climate, where it has access to abundant, clean water. However, as a houseplant, we provide it with tap water. It can be a fatal mistake as tap water consists of several minerals as dissolved solids. Thus, frequent watering using tap water may cause saturation of minerals in the plant and essentially kill it.
Solution
Rainwater is the ideal type of water that your Venus flytrap needs. However, it is not always possible to store and provide your plant with rainwater throughout the air. The best alternative to rainwater is distiller or reverse osmosis water due to the minimal content of dissolved solids. Water your plant only when required to keep the soil moist as frequent watering can cause problems like stagnation. You can also read our detailed article on how to water Venus fly trap.
2. Light
Allowing your Venus flytrap to be exposed to direct sunlight for long durations can cause severe sunburns to the plant. Similarly, a lack of proper sunlight can cause problems like etiolation and stunted growth. This happens when the plant is either left in the sun for long hours or is grown in an area of shade. Light plays an important part in ensuring the proper health of your life.
Solution
Ideally, your Venus flytrap requires around four hours of bright, indirect sunlight each day. It is best to place your plant in an area of partial shade where it has access to the given amount of light. If your plant is placed indoors, place it near a south-facing window to help it receive adequate lighting.
3. Soil
The Venus flytrap requires soil that lacks nutrition and proper drainage. Ideally, the Venus flytrap grows well in peaty or mossy soil. Using improper soil with excessive water retention properties may lead to stagnation. Thus, using proper soil is very important to ensure the proper growth of your Venus flytrap.
Solution
Generally, potting mixes have high nutrition content and hence are not proper for potting your Venus flytrap. So, it is best to make your potting soil. This can be done by blending three parts of peat moss and one part perlite.
4. Temperature
The Venus flytrap requires a moderate climate to grow well as excess temperature fluctuations can cause severe damage to the plant. It requires neither excess humidity nor a lack of it, due to its tropical origin. Temperature plays a vital role in keeping your plant healthy.
Solution
The trick is to provide a tropical climate that resembles the native habitat of the Venus flytrap. It requires a temperature of 21°C – 35°C in the summer and not below 5°C in the winter. Maintain the humidity at above 50% to ensure that the requirements of the plant are fulfilled.
Thus, these are the factors that can help keep your Venus flytrap healthy.