Who can resist the fascination of a Venus Fly Trap? This one-of-a-kind carnivorous plant is not only easy to grow but also a guaranteed conversation starter and impulse buy in the local market.
The Venus Fly Trap (Dionaea muscipula) is native to the subtropical wetlands of the United States but thrives well here in Trinidad with the right care. It’s a compact plant, usually forming a rosette of 4–7 leaves from a short underground stem or rhizome. Depending on the season, each plant can reach 4–6 inches, producing longer leaves with stronger traps after flowering.
Venus Fly Trap
Light
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Needs 4–6 hours of direct sunlight daily. Outdoors in full sun is best.
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Indoors, place near the brightest window (south-facing is ideal). If sunlight is limited, use a grow light.
Water
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Use only rainwater, distilled water, or reverse osmosis water. Tap water in Trinidad usually contains minerals that can harm the plant.
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Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. A shallow tray with a little water works well.
Soil
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Requires nutrient-poor, acidic soil. A mix of sphagnum peat moss and perlite or silica sand (1:1 ratio) works best.
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Do not use potting soil, compost, or fertilizer.
Feeding
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Traps catch their own insects, but you can occasionally feed them small live insects (no bigger than one-third of the trap size).
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Do not feed human food (like meat).
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Each trap closes only a few times before dying off naturally.
Dormancy
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In Trinidad’s warm climate, Venus Fly Traps may not experience full winter dormancy. They will slow down growth around the cooler, shorter days (November–January). Allow the plant to rest by reducing watering slightly and giving it cooler conditions if possible.
General Tips
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Avoid triggering the traps unnecessarily, as this weakens the plant.
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Repot every 1–2 years in fresh soil to maintain health.
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