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Though the Venus flytrap is very popular, it’s not necessarily the easiest plant to explain. That’s why I split the guide into two parts.
In this part, we talk about how to take care of a Venus flytrap and what you need to make sure it grows healthy.
Part 1: Need to knows
• What is a Venus flytrap?
• Propagation
• Dormancy
• Pests
Part 2: Basic care guide (You’re here!)
• Sunlight
• Water
• Planting media
• Feeding
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The Venus flytrap is arguably the most famous carnivorous plant. It’s the classic bug-eating plant Like Audrey II from The Little Shop of Horrors or the Chomper from Plants vs. Zombies, with a “mouth” and “teeth” that snap shut to trap prey. Though this carnivorous plant is popular, it’s not the easiest plant to explain.
Because there’s so much information, I split this guide into two parts:
Part 1: Need-to-knows (You’re here!)
• What is a Venus flytrap?
• Propagation
• Dormancy
• Pests
Part 2: Basic care guide
• Sunlight
• Water
• Planting media
• Feeding
Just like how Byblis is named after a Greek figure of the same name, the Venus flytrap is named after the Roman goddess of love. Its common name is Venus flytrap, and its genus is Dionaea Muscipula.
This is what “D.M.” stands for in flytrap names (for example, D.M. Maroon Monster). Dionaea refers to Aphrodite, and muscipula is Latin for mousetrap or flytrap.
Venus flytraps are small plants that grow from a white, bulb-like rhizome. Each leaf is composed of a heart-shaped petiole, and the actual “trap” at the tip is (sometimes) lined with eyelash-like cilia that cross together when the trap shuts to keep prey inside.
The trigger hairs inside the trap are sensitive enough to sense when a bug walks through but evolved only to shut when their prey moves inside. It takes a lot of energy to close a trap. In fact, a trap only has a limited number of times it can move and “eat” before it dies.
Hi, carnivorous plant enthusiast! I’m Micah, and if you’re looking for a carnivorous plant and how to take care of them in the Philippines, I can help you with my free guides!
I grow carnivorous plants like Venus flytraps (Dionaea Muscipula), sundews (drosera), byblis and more as a hobby. By sharing what I’ve learned and researched, I do my best to guide new enthusiasts who want to try raising carnivorous plants of their own too.
You can also check what carnivorous plants and gardening items I have for sale in the links below!
