The vibrant, otherworldly traps of the carnivorous Venus flytrap plant (Dionaea muscipula) fascinate gardeners and plant lovers alike. Their unique bilateral jaws elegantly snapping shut on insects that dare to enter their domain is a marvel of evolution. In recent years, images and offers for rare “blue Venus flytraps” have circulated online, enticing buyers. But beware – there’s no such thing as a truly blue-colored flytrap.
What is a Venus Flytrap?
Native to a small area of the Carolinas, Venus flytraps grow wild in boggy conditions. They have modified leaves called traps that actively capture and digest insects and arachnids to supplement the poor nutrition of their native soils. The traps are triggered when unsuspecting prey contacts sensitive hairs inside, causing the two lobes to rapidly close. Inside are needle-like spikes and digestive enzymes to break down the victim.
There are around 80 species of carnivorous plants, but the Venus flytrap is arguably the most iconic and well-known. Since its discovery by botanists in the 1700s, it has been a much sought-after novelty.
The Appeal of Blue Venus Flytraps
Part of the Venus flytrap’s charm is the range of hues their traps can display. While green is the most common some selections have mouths of red, burgundy, purple pink, orange, yellow or white. So the idea of a blue Venus flytrap sounds intriguing.
Blue is an exceptionally rare color in the plant kingdom, so a true blue houseplant or one with blue flowers is unusual. Blue pigments like anthocyanins are tricky for plants to produce. So the notion of a vivid blue Venus flytrap with otherworldly snap traps is powerfully alluring to collectors.
The Reality of Blue Venus Flytraps
Here’s the truth – there are no naturally occurring blue Venus flytraps. Any retailer advertising them is scamming customers. Through selective breeding, the deepest purple flytrap cultivars may appear somewhat blueish under certain conditions. But there are no blue Venus flytraps for sale anywhere.
Some dishonest sellers may spray paint traps blue or submerge plants in blue dye to fool buyers. These plants will not stay blue for long. The traps will eventually revert to green or perhaps purple if it’s an oxidizing dye.
There are also Photoshopped images of electric blue flytraps circulating online, Some sellers even print these fake pictures on plastic pots to try and dupe buyers,
How to Identify a True Blue Venus Flytrap
Whenever you see an ad for blue Venus flytraps,apply healthy skepticism. Here are some tips for spotting a scam:
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Does the seller provide photos of the actual live plants? Not just a generic stock photo or graphic.
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Are there reviews from verified buyers describing their experience purchasing blue flytraps from this seller? Or just generic 5-star reviews?
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Does the seller guarantee the plants will arrive blue? Reputable nurseries will explain they cannot guarantee flower/leaf color.
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Is the price astronomical compared to regular green Venus flytraps? A huge mark-up is a clue you’re paying for a fictional plant.
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Does the seller also advertise other unusually colored flytraps like black, orange or rainbow? These are also scams.
Growing Venus Flytraps Yourself
Rather than waste money on fictional blue flytraps, why not grow your own? Venus flytraps can be successfully raised indoors or outdoors if you live in zones 8-11. Here are some tips:
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Grow flytraps in sphagnum peat and perlite or sand – no soil or fertilizer. Use rainwater or distilled water only.
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Sit pots in 2-3 inches of distilled water in summer. Let soil dry slightly between waterings in winter.
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Provide at least 4 hours of direct sun daily. Supplement with full spectrum grow lights.
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Feed traps live insects once every 2-3 weeks. Don’t overfeed.
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Give flytraps a winter dormancy period of 3-4 months at 35-50 °F.
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Propagate by seed or division in spring. Flowering can occur but isn’t necessary.
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Repot every 2-3 years in fresh acidic mix to refresh nutrients.
There are over 500 registered flytrap cultivars to choose from. While you may not find a truly blue one, you can enjoy growing an exciting rainbow of varieties – red, burgundy, purple, yellow, white and more! Just don’t waste your money on any vendor claiming to sell blue Venus flytraps.
Where to Plant Venus Flytrap Seeds
While Venus flytraps can be cultivated as houseplants, they flourish most when grown outdoors. Ensure the plants receive ample sunlight, with a minimum of four hours of bright, direct sunlight each day. Originating from boggy and swampy habitats, it is crucial to maintain a consistently moist environment for these plants.
When cultivated outdoors, plants can sustain themselves and endure for several months without relying on prey consumption. However, indoor-grown Venus flytraps may require supplementation through feeding live insects. You can buy these plants online or in some garden stores. They eat different kinds of insects, like ants, grasshoppers, flying insects, beetles, and spiders.
When to Plant Venus Flytrap Seeds
The best time to sow Venus flytrap seeds is between February and September for optimal growth conditions. If the soil is kept between 75°F and 85°F, germination can take about two weeks. It can take up to five weeks for seeds to sprout if the soil is much cooler than this. Give them bright, indirect light all day.
The Complete Venus Fly Trap Care Guide
FAQ
Why are Venus flytraps illegal?
How do you grow a blue Venus flytrap?
How hard is it to keep a Venus flytrap alive?
What do I do if my Venus flytrap is flowering?
Can you grow Venus flytrap from seeds?
Like all perennials, Venus flytrap (Dionaea muscipula) produces flowers and seeds which can be propagated and grown into new Venus flytrap plants. You can grow this unusual carnivorous plant from purchased seeds or from seeds gathered from your own plants or those of a gardening buddy.
Are there purple or Blue Venus flytraps?
There are no purple or blue Venus flytraps in existence. When ordering carnivorous plants through these sellers, you are likely to not receive anything at all. If the plants do show up, they are red, green, or dead. Most often, any seeds will not germinate at all as they are fake products.
Where does a Venus flytrap grow?
Venus flytrap grows in a narrow geographic range; it is native only to North and South Carolina. The “trap” of a Venus fly trap is actually a modified leaf. A plant can have as many as eight of them arising from flat stems (technically part of the leaf) around a basal rosette. This leaf/trap consists of two lip-like lobes united by a hinge.
How do you plant a Venus flytrap?
Purchase and plant your Venus flytrap in the spring or early summer. The plant will just be coming out of dormancy and ready to grow. Select a location with lots of sunlight and high humidity. If you’re planting straight in the ground, you may need to amend the soil first.
Do Venus Fly Traps need a lot of water?
Venus fly traps use significantly less water during dormancy, and the pot should dry out more slowly. Adjust your frequency of watering to the time of year. Do not let your Venus fly trap sit in water for several days, as this can cause the soil to be too boggy and result in root rot.
Where should a Venus Fly Trap be located?
When grown indoors, locate your Venus fly trap on a south-facing window in direct sunlight. Whilst Venus fly traps attain their nutritional needs from preying on insects, they still need to photosynthesize like any other plants.