It is very important to use nutrient-poor soil to grow Venus Flytraps. Regular potting soil or enriched soil will burn the roots and kill your Venus flytrap very quickly. We do not recommend fertilizing Venus flytraps. The fertilizer can burn the roots and likely kill the plant.
Some expert growers use extremely diluted fertilizer. In most cases, fertilizer is applied only to the leaves of the plant. This is risky and not recommended for a novice grower. It is best to simply allow your Venus flytrap to catch food on its own. It can also be fed mealworms or other insects.
Venus flytraps prefer growing in a sphagnum-based soil mix. Perhaps the easiest medium to use is simply pure, unenriched (NO Miracle-Gro!) peat moss or long-fiber sphagnum moss. Most retailers that carry potting soil sell large bales of peat moss.
It is generally agreed that a 1:1 mix of peat and perlite is the best medium for potting Venus flytraps. When choosing a brand of peat moss, any type will do as long as it isn’t enriched.
Venus flytraps are captivating carnivorous plants that have fascinated people for centuries Their unique snap traps, which allow them to catch and digest insect prey, make them stand out from other plants However, successfully growing Venus flytraps requires careful attention to their soil needs. A common question among new growers is – can you use succulent soil for Venus flytrap?
As an avid gardener and Venus flytrap enthusiast, I have done extensive research on soil requirements for these peculiar plants In this article, I will share everything you need to know about using succulent soil for Venus flytraps.
Why Venus Flytraps Need Specialized Soil
In their natural habitat of boggy swamps along the coast of North and South Carolina, Venus flytraps grow in nutrient-poor acidic soil. The lack of nutrients in the soil forced the plants to evolve carnivory to supplement their diet. As a result, Venus flytraps are highly sensitive to minerals and nutrients in potting soil.
Standard potting mixes contain fertilizers and minerals that will quickly burn and kill Venus flytrap roots and leaves. Therefore, they require a nutrient-free, acidic growing medium to thrive.
Succulent soil typically does not meet the unique needs of Venus flytraps. Let’s examine why in more detail.
Key Differences Between Succulents and Venus Flytraps
At first glance, succulents and Venus flytraps appear quite similar – they both have thick, fleshy leaves for retaining moisture. So it’s understandable why some assume succulent soil would also work for Venus flytraps. However, there are a few important differences between the two types of plants:
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Native habitat: Succulents originate from hot, dry regions like deserts. Venus flytraps come from humid, bog-like environments.
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Water needs: Succulents store water in their leaves and prefer dry soil. Venus flytraps need constantly moist soil.
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Nutrient needs: Succulents thrive in nutrient-rich soil. Venus flytraps are highly sensitive to nutrients and minerals.
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Soil pH: Succulents grow best in neutral to alkaline soil. Venus flytraps require acidic soil with a pH between 3.5-5.
As you can see, succulents and Venus flytraps have very different soil requirements. What works for succulents will not work for carnivorous Venus flytraps.
Why Succulent Soil is Harmful for Venus Flytraps
The main reason succulent soil should be avoided for Venus flytraps is its high mineral and nutrient content. Here are some of the problems succulent soil causes:
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Nutrient burn: The fertilizers in succulent soil will quickly burn and kill Venus flytrap roots and leaves. Nutrient burn shows up as brown, crispy leaves.
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Mineral toxicity: Minerals like calcium and magnesium in succulent soil will build up to toxic levels and poison Venus flytraps.
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Alkaline pH: Succulent soil has an alkaline pH around 7.0-8.0. Venus flytraps need acidic soil with a pH of 3.5-5.
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Poor drainage: Some succulent mixes contain a high percentage of peat or coir which stays soggy. Venus flytraps need excellent drainage to prevent root rot.
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Slow death: Even if a Venus flytrap survives initial planting in succulent soil, the nutrients will gradually accumulate and kill the plant over time.
Simply put, succulent soil has the exact opposite properties of what Venus flytraps need to stay healthy. While succulents thrive in nutrient-rich, fast-draining alkaline soil; Venus flytraps need moist, nutrient-free, acidic soil.
Suitable Soil Options for Venus Flytraps
Now that we’ve established succulent soil won’t work for Venus flytraps, what type of soil should you use? Here are the best soil options:
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Sphagnum peat moss – This slightly acidic, nutrient-free moss is ideal for carnivorous plants. Look for a brand with no added fertilizers.
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Long-fiber sphagnum moss – This premium grade moss makes an excellent stand-alone potting mix for Venus flytraps.
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Peat and perlite – A mixture of peat moss and perlite in a 4:1 or 2:1 ratio provides aeration and drainage.
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Peat and sand – Combining peat moss with washed quartz sand creates an open, mineral-free soil. Use a 4:1 peat to sand ratio.
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Commercial carnivorous plant soil – Specialty Venus flytrap potting mixes are available from many online stores.
When making your own mix, make sure to use only high-quality peat and perlite/sand with no added nutrients. With the right nutrient-free, acidic soil, your Venus flytraps will thrive.
Can You Plant Venus Flytraps and Succulents Together?
While succulent soil is harmful to Venus flytraps, can the two plant types coexist together in the same pot? Unfortunately, this is not recommended for a few reasons:
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The succulent will raise the soil pH too high for the Venus flytrap.
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The succulent’s water needs differ from the Venus flytrap and one plant will suffer.
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Nutrients from watering and fertilizing the succulent will gradually poison the Venus flytrap.
Your best option is to grow Venus flytraps separately in their own pot with suitable carnivorous plant soil. You can place the pots side by side, just don’t plant them together. With proper care, both plants will flourish.
Give Your Flytrap the Right Soil for Success
Succulent soil contains high levels of minerals and fertilizers that will quickly kill Venus flytraps. Always use an appropriate carnivorous plant soil mix without added nutrients for your flytraps. With the proper growing medium, you can enjoy these fascinating plants for many years to come.
Step Guide the roots into the new pot
Hold the rhizome of your plant in one hand. With your other hand, use the tool of choice (screwdriver, stick, finger, etc. ) to help your Venus flytrap’s roots go into the hole you made in the soil of the new pot in step one. Try to get the roots as straight and deep as possible into the new pot. Work them all the way down until the rhizome is just below the soil’s surface in the hole you made.
Step Preparing the new pot
After making the soil mix according to the steps above and making sure it’s completely wet, just put it in the pot you chose and gently press it down. Make a hole that is pretty deep for the plant’s roots and rhizome with a stick, a screwdriver, your finger, or something else. Make the hole deep enough to accommodate the roots with minimal winding. Make the top a little wider than the bottom so the rhizome has plenty of room.
Venus Flytrap Care For BIG Healthy Plants
FAQ
What kind of soil is best for a Venus Flytrap?
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What potting mix to use for Venus Flytrap?
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