The Venus flytrap is undoubtedly the most famous carnivorous houseplant. In the wild, the Venus flytrap houseplants live for several years. However, the plant may be very short-lived as a houseplant if not well cared for.
One of the main reasons for the death of your houseplant will most likely be water. Impure water can be fatal to this carnivorous plant. The plant requires pure water to thrive.
Similarly, during the rowing period, the Venus flytrap requires relatively greater amounts of water but not too much of it. So, be very careful about the type and amount of water you provide to this plant.
Important points while watering Venus Fly trap
Some of the factors which should be kept in mind while watering the Venus flytrap are –
- Mineral Content
- Proper Watering
- Winter Dormancy
1. Mineral Content
While in most cases of houseplants, you are likely to provide tap water for it to grow well. In the case of the Venus flytrap, tap water can prove to be a fatal choice. Generally, minerals dissolved in tap water are detrimental to the health of your plant.
Sodium, sulfur, chlorine, alkaline salts, and calcium among other minerals are found as dissolved solids in tap water. Watering your plant with tap water may lead to a build-up of such minerals and essentially lead to the death of the Venus flytrap.
Thus, rainwater is the best form of water that your plant can get. However, it is not always possible to store and provide rainwater throughout the year. So, the best alternative is distilled or reverse osmosis water when watering your carnivorous plant.
2. Proper Watering
The Venus flytrap requires ideal amounts of water to ensure proper growth. While in the growing season, ensure that the pot is not completely dry. Water it whenever needed to ensure that the soil remains moist.
Overwatering can cause problems with waterlogging and severely damage the plant. If the plant is growing in warm conditions, place a tray beneath the potting top to ensure that the plant can absorb the required water when needed.
Another important method is to provide water to the plant from the bottom. This forces the roots to grow to obtain water from deeper parts of the planting medium and ensures proper growth of the plant.
3. Winter Dormancy
Avoid watering the plant excessively if it enters the period of dormancy. Dormancy is the period during which the plant stops its growth and starts resting. It is important to allow the plant to undergo this period to ensure that its health is maintained. Watering it frequently during this period may stop the plant from undergoing this phase and essentially cause harm to it.
Generally, the dormant Venus flytrap will only require two to three times watering per month. However, as the season changes, the frequency of watering should be increased as it requires more water when emerging from the period of dormancy.
Thus, these are the factors that you need to keep in mind to ensure that your Venus flytrap is adequately watered.
