Venus flytrap Dionaea muscipula
Venus flytrap (Dionaea muscipula) is an evergreen perennial flowering plant in the Droseraceae family, native to Wet pine savannas within about 120 km of Wilmington, North Carolina (and a little of South Carolina). It grows 5–15 cm (2–6 in) tall and 10–20 cm (4–8 in) wide, wants full sun and high water, and is hardy to about -5 °C (23 °F). Space plants about 10 cm (4 in) apart.
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Venus flytrap at a glance
| Type | Perennial flowering plant, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Droseraceae |
| Mature height | 5–15 cm (2–6 in) |
| Mature spread | 10–20 cm (4–8 in) |
| Spacing | 10 cm (4 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | High; drought tolerance none, waterlogging tolerance high |
| Soil pH | 4–5.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About -5 °C (23 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 9) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 35 °C (95 °F) |
| Flowering | from about May for 3–6 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | Low |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Wet pine savannas within about 120 km of Wilmington, North Carolina (and a little of South Carolina) |
| Common in gardens of | 🇺🇸 United States, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇳🇱 Netherlands, 🇯🇵 Japan |
Is Venus flytrap toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Not poisonous.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Venus flytrap
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and high water.
Keep apart or take care
- caution With English lavender: Acid-loving plants need pH 4.5–5.5, lavender prefers neutral to alkaline soil; one bed cannot suit both. Evidence B
Questions about Venus flytrap
- How far apart should I plant Venus flytrap?
- About 10 cm (4 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 10–20 cm (4–8 in).
- Does Venus flytrap need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Venus flytrap need?
- High water. Drought tolerance is none and waterlogging tolerance high.
- How cold-hardy is Venus flytrap?
- It tolerates about -5 °C (23 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 9.
- When does Venus flytrap flower?
- From about May for 3–6 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Venus flytrap poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Not poisonous.
- What grows well with Venus flytrap?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Venus flytrap. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (high).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- International Carnivorous Plant Society: cultivation and species guides, International Carnivorous Plant Society
- IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, IUCN
Notes and assumptions
- A carnivorous bog plant: grow it in wet, nutrient-poor peat and sand, water only with rain or distilled water, never feed the soil, and give it full sun.
- Hinged leaf traps lined with trigger hairs snap shut on an insect that touches two hairs in quick succession, then digest it over a week or so. It needs a cold winter rest (dormancy) to stay healthy; do not trigger traps for fun, as each closing costs energy. Digging wild plants in North Carolina has been a felony since 2014.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Cape sundew Drosera capensis
- Sunflower Helianthus annuus
- French marigold Tagetes patula
- English lavender Lavandula angustifolia
- Zinnia Zinnia elegans
- Cosmos Cosmos bipinnatus
- Purple coneflower Echinacea purpurea
- Foxglove Digitalis purpurea