Dionaea Muscipula (Venus Fly Trap)

Dionaea Muscipula (Venus Fly Trap)  Catch the flies in your house! The most famous carnivorous plant makes for an amazing house plant. The Dionaea Muscipula or Venus Fly Trap is a fascinating flowering plant with carnivorous eating habits. The plant has hinged leaves which are lined with ‘teeth’ which interlock when shut. The inside of these leaves are hair-like projections called trichomes which cause the lobes to shut close when its prey lands on them. The flytrap secretes a liquid to attract its prey. Once landed on the trap it will then snap shut and remain closed for up to two weeks while it gradually digests its meal. They are native to North America and are found in bog-like and humid areas. Therefore, they require plenty of light with a minimum of 4 hours of direct sunlight a day. Ideally, they should be kept in a conservatory or a bright room with a temperature of 15C (60F) to 32C (90F). Between November and February, it is best to provide a cold dormant period. So if in the summer months it is housed on a sunny windowsill or in a terrarium, it will need to be moved to somewhere colder such as in a garage, shed or unheated greenhouse for the colder months. The soil will need to be kept moist but not soggy. The best way to achieve this is to water regularly in a water tray to avoid watering from above. If possible, try to use rainwater or distilled water as carnivorous plants can be sensitive to the chemicals that can be found in tap water. Please Note: It will take a considerable amount of energy to release the trap each time so it is advised to not set it off unnecessarily. They do not need feeling – they will catch the food themselves when needed. Some houseplants are toxic to pets if ingested, please seek advice from a veterinary professional if you believe it has been consumed. Ensure you take a sample of the plant with you. The size of the plant will differ depending on when in the year it is purchased – visuals are an indication only.