The Venus Fly Trap is known for its rather peculiar-looking head and its snacking tendencies. They are excellent plants to have in your garden but you can often find them in moist, acidic soil that has little to no nutrients.
However, what we want to know is does the Venus Fly Trap flower? Well, the short answer is yes. This perennial plant does bloom with spectacular flowers, although they are often ignored due to its striking trap.
In this article, we discuss the Venus Fly Trap in great detail. Including its blooming cycle, its diet, and just how to keep one looking devious in your own backyard. Let’s get into it!
What Is The Venus Fly Trap?
The Venus Fly Trap is a carnivorous perennial. The ’trap’ element of the flower is created by two hinged lobes at the end of each leaf that act almost as a mouth.
Trichomes, which resemble hairy projections, are found on the inner surfaces of the lobes, and when prey comes into touch with them, they force the lobes to close. This is called thigmonasty meaning it is an unconscious response to being touched.
Only when the trichomes are touched repeatedly will the trap close, preventing the plant from wasting energy if no prey is present. The small hairs lining the edge of the trap lock together when shut in order to prevent prey from escaping.
The bright green exterior matched with the red mouth gives this plant a rather dangerous look warning predators to stay away while attracting prey to come inside.
Does Venus Fly Trap Flower?
Since Venus flytraps are perennials, they produce flowers every year. The petals of the white flowers have green veins that extend from their bases to their edges. Flowers that are pollinated eventually produce seeds.
Only a few openings and closings of each trap on the plant are allowed before it dies and falls off. The plant then emerges from its underground stalks with a fresh trap.
Although the Venus flytrap’s exact longevity is unknown, it has been predicted that it could live up to 20 years or longer. On stalks that are between four and twelve inches long, white cupped flowers bloom in May and June.
The blooms are kept above the traps by these stalks, protecting pollinators from becoming supper. The plant develops a black fruit with seeds in it between the months of June and July.
Where Does The Venus Fly Trap Grow?
The Venus FlyTrap is native to North and South Carolina, however, over time, it is becoming more common in other dry climates such as Florida and New Jersey.
In spite of its widespread popularity as a potted plant, the majority of Venus flytraps sold today have either been bred or harvested from decreasing natural populations. This perennial requires moist, acidic soil that is low in nutrients.
They are often found naturally in the understory of the forest. This is the part just underneath the canopy. It requires full access to the sun and rarely survives the winter.
Caring For A Venus Fly Trap
While the Venus Fly Trap does enjoy a bug every now and then, the flower gets most of its nutrients from photosynthesis. Only trapping and digesting insects when the soil is lacking the nutrients it needs.
Caring for a Venus Fly Trap is rather simple once you get its habitat conditions right. Below is a comprehensive guide on how to care for a Venus Fly Trap.
Soil
As mentioned above, the Venus Fly Trap needs moist, acidic soil in order to grow. They thrive in sphagnum moss with sand or orchid bark pieces rather than potting soil. You can also mix one part perlite and one part peat moss.
This mixture is sufficiently acidic for the plant thanks to the peat moss. Before placing the potting medium in the pot, thoroughly wet it. Venus Fly Traps need nutrient-free, mineral-free soil with good drainage.
Light
As you know, Venus Fly Traps require access to the sun. Indirect sunlight works best and their colors will become more vivid if they get at least 6 hours of direct sunlight a day.
If you’re growing your Venus flytrap inside, set it near to a window that receives lots of sunshine or use a full spectrum grow light that is positioned 6 inches above the plants to aid it along.
Water
The Venus Fly Trap should only be watered every 10-14 days. The soil ought to get significantly drier. (though never fully dry). While the remainder of the soil should be dry, the area immediately surrounding the base and roots should be somewhat damp.
Never water the plant from above, always water close to the base of the plant and try to avoid using tap water.
Diet
Venus Fly Traps are famous for their carnivorous diet. However, this should only be done once all of their other dietary needs have been met such as soil, water, and sunlight. Your flytrap will become ill if you overfeed it. Likewise, raw flesh.
Many people use traps to catch insects, including gnats, mealworms, flies, spiders, beetles, and caterpillars. The size of the food you provide your flytrap shouldn’t be more than one-third of the trap.
There is no need to fertilize the plant as the insects and soil will provide it with everything it needs. Only supply your Venus Fly Trap with live bugs one or two times per month.
Final Thoughts
The Venus Fly Trap is a truly incredible plant that is both intriguing and beautiful. While it is not a common plant to be found in gardens, it can make an excellent addition. This perennial will have a lifespan of 20 years or more if taken care of properly.
By providing it with the right soil, plenty of sunlight, some water, and an insect or two, this plant will bloom year after year. With gorgeous white-cupped flowers blooming in the summer months, they add height and freshness to any garden design.
Be sure to give the trigger hairs a relaxing massage after eating to ensure your Venus Fly Trap thrives!
