James Burghardt
Family
Droseraceae
Botanical Name
Dionaea muscipula
Plant Common Name
Venus flytrap
General Description
Renowned for its insect-trapping leaves, Venus flytrap is a small, insectivorous perennial native to moist sandy habitats near the Carolina coast.
Each plant forms a neat rosette of leaves with broad winged stems and folding clam-like blades. The traps are yellowish to medium green on the outside and have reddish nectar glands on the inside edged with slender, hair-like snares. When disturbed by visiting insects, the traps snap shut and hairs fold over one another like bars. Trapped insects are slowly broken down and absorbed, providing nutrients that are in short supply in this species' native habitats.
In spring, short, leafless stalks arise from the center of the rosette, each topped with 3 to 10 white, insect-pollinated flowers. The flowers are followed by small capsules containing black seeds. Foliage turns reddish in fall, and persists all winter in milder climates.
Grow Venus flytrap in full sun to light shade and damp, infertile, acidic soil. Garden grown specimens should be provided clean, non-chlorinated water. Collected rainwater is best. Terrarium specimens require high summertime humidity and chilly winter temperatures (40ºF or 4ºC) to survive. Grow in a bog garden or bog terrarium interplanted with butterworts, pitcher plants or sundews.
Leaves will deteriorate after trapping two to four insects or closing approximately seven times. New traps are produced through summer.
Characteristics
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AHS Heat Zone
9 - 6
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USDA Hardiness Zone
6 - 9
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Plant Type
Perennial
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Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial Shade
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Height
3"-18" / 7.6cm - 45.7cm
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Width
6"-12" / 15.2cm - 30.5cm
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Bloom Time
Spring
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Native To
Southeastern United States
Growing Conditions
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Soil pH
Acidic
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Soil Drainage
Average
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Soil type
Loam, Sand
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Tolerances
Wet Site
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Growth Rate
Slow
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Water Requirements
Average Water, Ample Water
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Habit
Rosette/Stemless
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Seasonal Interest
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Ornamental Features
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Flower Interest
Showy
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Flower Color
White
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Fruit Color
Green
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Foliage Color (Spring)
Red, Light Green, Lime Green, Yellow Green
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Foliage Color (Summer)
Red, Green, Light Green
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Foliage Color (Fall)
Red, Light Green, Yellow Green
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Foliage Color (Winter)
Red, Light Green, Yellow Green
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Fragrant Flowers
No
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Fragrant Fruit
No
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Fragrant Foliage
No
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Bark or Stem Fragrant
No
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Flower Petal Number
Single
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Repeat Bloomer
No
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Showy Fruit
No
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Edible Fruit
No
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Showy Foliage
Yes
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Foliage Texture
Medium
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Foliage Sheen
Glossy
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Evergreen
Semi-Evergreen
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Showy Bark
No
Special Characteristics
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Usage
Bog Garden, Container, Feature Plant, Houseplant, Rock Garden / Wall, Wildflower
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Sharp or Has Thorns
No
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Invasive
No
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Self-Sowing
Yes
