Venus Fly Trap Care: Watering Tips, Sunlight Needs & More

Native to North and South Carolina, Venus flytraps, also known as the Dionaea muscipula thrive with plenty of heat, sunlight, and water.

Because their roots are used to growing in bogs—a type of wetland—this is a plant that will need to be kept continually damp.

Venus flytraps are known for capturing insects and bugs. They do best when grown outside, although it is possible to grow indoors if you can create the right conditions. 

Venus flytraps are a carnivorous plant, meaning they rely on insects for nutrients instead of soil, amendment, or fertilizer. They've evolved traps that have structures that look like hair and are able to shut and squeeze their prey. 

Venus flytraps are unique plants that can be grown indoors or outdoors, though they have special soil needs and are best planted in containers.

"Because of its specific soil requirements, avoid planting it directly into the ground, unless you have created a specific type of bog garden," says Alfred Palomares, vice president of merchandising and resident plant dad at 1-800-Flowers.com. "You may also grow it in a pond or fountain but keep the crown of the plant above water." 

When Venus flytraps are grown with proper care, the entire plant can get as big as five inches in diameter. 

Venus flytraps love water and need to be kept moist at all times, unlike most plants where it's best to let the soil dry out until the next watering. "Venus flytraps should be kept consistently moist. Water when 25% of their growing medium has dried out," says Pangborn.

Palomares shares that depending on the time of year and where you live, you'll typically need to water every two to four days.

Although this plant needs moist conditions, you want to avoid overwatering them. "They should never be allowed to sit in water, as this will cause the roots to rot and eventually kill the plant," says Stephen Webb, gardening expert and founder of Garden's Whisper.

These plants need lots of sunlight and heat to thrive, and the more they receive, the faster they will grow. A minimum of six hours of direct sunlight is necessary, and according to Palomares, they do best if they have 10 to 12 hours of sunlight per day. 

Venus flytraps are finicky about their growing medium. "These plants have evolved to take in nutrients from their traps, rather than through roots in the soil like most other plants," says Pangborn. So what should you plant them in? "It's best to use sphagnum moss or a mix of peat moss and an aerating medium like perlite," says Pangborn.  

You also don't want to give your Venus flytrap any added nutrients. In fact, you want to do the opposite and avoid any nutrient-rich soil or amendment. "Never use potting soil, compost, or fertilizer, as these ingredients will kill your plant," says Palomares.

Typically, Venus flytraps fend for themselves when it comes to catching and eating food. They have evolved to be able to hunt prey without relying on plant parents to help them out.

"Although some growers like to feed their flytrap, it's not necessary; this plant has adapted to capturing insects on its own, and insects will naturally be attracted to it," explains Palomares.

That being said, if you're growing inside and there aren't any bugs in your space, you should consider feeding the plant. "A fly, spider, or other small morsel once every few weeks will keep your plant powered up," explains Pangborn. If you're wondering what's the best way to feed your plant, "you can use a pair of tweezers to gently put the bug into the trap," explains Webb.

"If the plant is not hungry, it will remain open for a while and then close up within an hour or two, which means it does not want to eat that specific bug," Webb adds.