Venus flytraps are fascinating carnivorous plants that use their iconic snap traps to capture insect prey But just how quickly do these unusual plants grow from tiny seeds into mature specimens with full-sized traps? Let’s take a closer look at the growth rate and timeline for Venus flytraps
Venus Flytrap Growth Stages
The growth of a Venus flytrap can be divided into three main stages
Seedling Stage
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Venus flytraps grow from tiny black seeds. The seeds take 2-3 months to germinate.
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The seedlings initially form a small rosette of leaves and tiny traps.
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At this stage, growth is very slow. It may take 12-24 months for traps to reach 1/4 inch.
Juvenile Stage
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After 2-3 years, the plants enter the active juvenile growth phase.
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Traps rapidly increase in size over summer, reaching 1/2 to 3/4 inch.
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The leaf rosette expands to 2-4 inches in diameter.
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Regular feeding accelerates growth rates during this stage.
Mature Stage
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After 4-6 years, Venus flytraps reach maturity with full-sized traps.
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Traps grow to about 1 inch long by 1/2 inch wide when fully open.
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Mature plants spread to a diameter of 6 inches or more.
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Growth slows after this point but can continue steadily for many years.
Growth Timeline from Seed to Maturity
The total timeline for a Venus flytrap to reach maturity from seed is:
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0-3 months: Seed germination
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3 months – 2 years: Slow seedling stage
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2-4 years: Active juvenile growth phase
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4-6 years: Reaches maturity with adult trap size
So the entire growth process typically takes a minimum of 4 years and can stretch up to 6 years or longer. Growth rates vary based on genetics and growing conditions.
Growth Rate Factors
Several key factors affect Venus flytrap growth rates:
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Genetics – Some varieties grow inherently faster than others.
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Light – More sunlight fuels faster growth. At least 4 hours of direct sun daily.
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Season – Rapid summer growth compared to winter dormancy.
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Feeding – Supplemental bug feedings accelerate growth.
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Pot size – Room for root and leaf expansion aids growth.
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Care – Optimal water, soil, humidity, and prevention of pests/disease.
Tips for Faster Venus Flytrap Growth
Here are some tips to maximize growth rate if you are eager for your plant to reach maturity sooner:
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Select fast-growing varieties like B-52. Avoid tiny cultivars.
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Provide at least 6 hours of direct sunlight. Supplement with a plant light.
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Feed traps live insects or freeze-dried bloodworms regularly.
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Repot annually in spring into incrementally larger pots.
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Keep soil moist, provide good airflow, and protect from pests/disease.
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Allow the plant to experience winter dormancy for health.
While Venus flytraps cannot be rushed to full maturity overnight, following best growing practices can shave up to 2 years off the total time to reach adulthood. Proper care will be rewarded with vigorous plants with large, active traps.
Enjoying the Gradual Growth of Venus Flytraps
The incremental growth of Venus flytraps can be enjoyed as a gradual process. Monitoring a plant over seasons and years as it evolves from a tiny seedling to a mature specimen with jaws ready to snap shut on prey is highly rewarding.
Time-lapse videos that document the growth progress are fascinating to watch. While it requires patience for flytraps to attain their maximum size, their gradual development is all part of their charm as unique carnivorous houseplants.
Where do Venus Flytraps come from?
No, theyre not from Venus!
There is only one species of Venus flytrap, and its scientific name is Dionaea muscipula. It has a very limited native range, growing only in the coastal bogs of North and South Carolina. Habitat destruction has endangered its survival, and its believed to be extinct in several of its native counties. Horticulturists with good intentions have brought the plant to new areas, creating so-called “extremis” populations. However, these actions are not smart and are likely to do more harm than good.
Remember, it is illegal to collect (i. e. dig up) Venus flytraps from the wild. Instead, you should buy them from reputable nurseries (see below!). Show extinct populations Show exotic populations.
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Soil & Water for Venus Flytrap
To take care of Venus Flytraps, people usually mix sphagnum peat moss with either lime-free horticultural sand or perlite in a ratio of about 2:1. Hampshire Carnivorous Plants sell an excellent ready-made Venus flytrap soil. In the US, California Carnivores offers an excellent ready-made soil mix. Alternatively, you can buy this compost mix on Amazon worldwide.
An alternative peat-free growing media is pure long fibre sphagnum moss. I’ve had good luck growing my own flytraps in pure sphagnum. It can be more expensive than a peat-based mix, but it’s one of a few peat-free options you could try. When you’re in the UK, I suggest you check out The Sphagnum Shop. Don’t forget to use the code TOMS10 to get 10% off your order.
If you want to grow plants, you should put the pot in about 1 cm (⅓ inch) of water and not water from the top. They prefer to grow in soil which is wet, but not completely waterlogged. During winter they require less water, and the soil should be kept just damp.
Venus flytraps growing in a water tray.
Another critical point which is often overlooked: Venus Flytraps need pure water. Like many other plants that eat other plants, Venus Flytraps evolved to grow in damp, low-nutrient soil. Giving them bottled, filtered, or tap water can cause minerals to build up in the soil, which will kill your plant in the end. You should avoid fertilisers for similar reasons. Your best options are rainwater, distilled or deionised water, or water produced by a reverse osmosis system. I’ve outlined your options in more detail here.
Venus Flytraps require a cold winter dormancy between November and February. You need to mimic the conditions of their natural habitat, which means providing a cold resting period. Much like you need to sleep every night, Venus Flytraps need to go dormant over winter!.
Venus flytraps entering winter dormancy, photographed by fellow grower
Plants that are grown in a terrarium or on a windowsill during the growing season will need to be moved to a cooler place. For example, you could put them next to a window in your garage or shed. Plants growing in unheated greenhouses can remain there over winter.
The leaves on your plant will turn black as the days get shorter and the temperature drops. The plant will then die back to the rhizome. This is normal, and you can safely trim off any dead growth. When the winter sleep period is over, you can repot or even divide your plants if they need it before they start to grow again in March. A 10 cm (4 inch) pot is sufficient for adult plants.
Growing Venus Fly Trap Plant Time Lapse (161 Days)
FAQ
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