EN/
Romana
Dionaea muscipula D8.5
![Venus Flytrap – Cea mai faimoasă plantă carnivoră din lume [1]](https://gomagcdn.ro/domains2/eufloria.ro/files/product/original/dionaea-muscipula-d8-5-898201.webp "Venus Flytrap – Cea mai faimoasă plantă carnivoră din lume [1]")
Approx height (including pot): 7 cm
Pot diameter: 8.5 cm
- Description
- Characteristics
- Reviews (0)
- FAQ
Dionaea muscipula, the legendary Venus Flytrap, is the world's most famous carnivorous plant and a true marvel of botanical evolution. Native exclusively to the coastal bogs of North and South Carolina, USA, this fascinating species has captivated plant enthusiasts since Charles Darwin himself called it "one of the most wonderful plants in the world." With its jaw-like traps that snap shut to capture insects, the Venus Flytrap brings a piece of living drama to any plant collection.
The plant forms a compact rosette of 4-7 specialized leaves, each ending in the iconic bi-lobed trap. These traps are typically green with striking red interior pigmentation that helps attract prey. When an insect touches the sensitive trigger hairs inside the trap twice within 20 seconds, the lobes snap shut in a fraction of a second – one of the fastest movements in the plant kingdom. The plant then secretes digestive enzymes, absorbing nutrients over 5-12 days before reopening for its next meal.
Care Requirements:
- Light: Full sun to bright direct light. At least 4-6 hours of direct sunlight daily. South-facing windowsills ideal.
- Water: CRITICAL – Use only distilled water, rainwater, or reverse osmosis water. Keep soil constantly moist. The "tray method" works well – sit pot in 1-2 cm of water.
- Soil: Nutrient-poor, acidic mix. Equal parts peat moss and perlite or coarse sand. NEVER use regular potting soil or fertilizers.
- Temperature: 21-29°C (70-85°F) during growing season. Tolerates brief periods down to -7°C in dormancy.
- Humidity: Appreciates high humidity but does not require a terrarium. Normal room humidity is acceptable with proper watering.
- Feeding: Feed 1-2 small insects monthly if kept indoors. Outdoors, it will catch its own prey.
- Dormancy: Benefits from a winter rest period (3-4 months) at 2-10°C, though indoor plants can skip dormancy with adequate light and feeding.
Botanical Info: Family: Droseraceae | Genus: Dionaea (monotypic – only one species exists) | Native Range: North & South Carolina, USA | Zone: 6-10 | Size: Rosette 8-15 cm diameter, traps up to 2.5-5 cm | Lifespan: 20-30 years with proper care
Lungime: 8 cm
Greutate (kg): 0.25 Kg
Denumire: Dionaea
Diametru: 8.5 cm
Cerințe lumină: Partial umbra
Tip plantă: Decorative
Utilizare: Interior
Tip suport: Ghiveci
Material Suport: Plastic
Is the Venus Flytrap toxic to cats and dogs?
No! Venus Flytraps are completely non-toxic to cats, dogs, and horses according to the ASPCA. They're also safe for humans. Ironically, your pets pose more danger to the plant than vice versa – curious nibbling won't harm your pet but can seriously damage or kill the delicate flytrap. The traps themselves are harmless and will simply close briefly if touched by a pet's nose or paw, then reopen when no digestible prey is detected. If your pets show interest, place the plant somewhere out of reach to protect your Venus Flytrap.
Why can't I use tap water for my Venus Flytrap?
Venus Flytraps are extremely sensitive to minerals and chemicals found in tap water – even low levels can be fatal over time. In their native habitat, these plants grow in nutrient-poor bogs fed by rainwater. Tap water contains chlorine, fluoride, calcium, and other dissolved minerals that accumulate in the soil and effectively poison the plant. Always use distilled water, rainwater, or reverse osmosis (RO) water. If your tap water has less than 50 ppm total dissolved solids (TDS), it may be acceptable, but pure water is always safest.
Do I need to feed my Venus Flytrap insects?
If your plant is outdoors or near windows during warm months, it will catch its own prey – Venus Flytraps in the wild primarily eat ants, spiders, and beetles. Indoor plants benefit from supplemental feeding every 2-4 weeks during the growing season. Feed one trap at a time with small insects (flies, crickets, or dried bloodworms work well). The prey should be about 1/3 the size of the trap. Never feed meat, fertilizer, or human food – these will rot and kill the trap. And never trigger traps without food inside, as this wastes the plant's energy.
Why are my Venus Flytrap's leaves turning black?
Some leaf blackening is completely normal – individual traps have a limited lifespan and naturally die back after catching 3-5 prey (or sometimes fewer). Simply trim black leaves at the base. However, widespread blackening can indicate problems: overwatering (soil should be moist, not waterlogged), mineral buildup from tap water, insufficient light, or the plant entering dormancy. In winter, Venus Flytraps naturally die back, appearing nearly dead – this is normal dormancy behavior, not death. Reduce watering and keep cool (2-10°C) during this period.
Does my Venus Flytrap need winter dormancy?
In nature, Venus Flytraps experience cool winters (2-10°C) and naturally go dormant for 3-4 months, with growth dying back before vigorous spring regrowth. Plants grown outdoors or in unheated spaces will enter dormancy naturally. However, indoor plants kept under consistent artificial lighting with regular feeding can skip dormancy entirely and grow year-round – some have thrived this way for over a decade. If providing dormancy, reduce watering (keep barely moist), stop feeding, and store in a cool location like an unheated garage or refrigerator.
