Software
Houzz Logo Print
baldwke75

New Venus Flytrap- Help!

8 years ago
I got a Venus flytrap a few days ago as a gift but it seems very droopy. I’m thinking it wasn’t getting enough light since there’s no pink insides. Any other suggestions?
I hesitate replanting it before it’s healthy...

Comments (6)

  • 8 years ago

    I tend to buy them during the summers when flies come in through my open balcony door, but I haven't ever cared for them long term (I'm guilty of letting them wither away when I don't need them any more), however I do believe they need really high humidity levels. This can be synthesized by placing the container on a tray with rocks and water so that the plant sits on the rocks above the waterline (you don't want the bottom of the plant to be submerged).

    However, I kill mine annually so this advice should be taken with a grain of salt. Hopefully others can chime in!

  • 8 years ago

    High light, filtered or bottled water, and consistently damp potting medium without being soggy.

  • 7 years ago

    In your picture, the soil looks dry and the leaves look distressed from not having enough water. So I think lack of water is your plant's current issue.

    These small pots don't hold much water and they can be very dry even in just 2-3 days, depending on the conditions.

    The other case is you will think the top looks wet so inside the soil is wet also, but not necessarily the case for peat moss that needs a lot of effort to get the growing medium wet.


  • 7 years ago

    Yours looks to be suffering from dehydration. Either you allowed the media to get too dry or the roots rotted away which leads to the same symptoms.

    Some vft strains don't develop any red/pink color even when given full sun. Some strains turn completely red under the same conditions. No telling which yours is.

    They can be left sitting in water during active growth. They are best off in a deep pot. I prefer terra cotta as evaporative cooling can help to cool the roots somewhat when out in sun.

    Do not use any media containing fertilizer -- so avoid all MiracleGro products.

  • 7 years ago
    last modified: 7 years ago

    Do not use any kind of soil mix. That would most certainly kill your plant. Venus flytraps grow in peat moss and silica sand, which is completely inert. This is why they have to catch bugs, because the peat moss and silica sand have no nutrients.

    Do not use just any sand. Look specifically for silica sand. You can find it for sale at Home Depot for very cheap. Just ask them where they keep the pool filter sand out in the garden center. As for the peat moss, stay away from and never use any Miracle Gro products. I like using those little Jiffy peat pellets. Just let them soak in distilled water and break them up in the water. Scoop out and use only the peat moss that floats on top of the water. Mix the peat moss with the silica sand and use this to repot your flytraps. They will most definitely do much better in a larger pot.

    I prefer using a self watering pot because these plants can't be allowed to dry out. Having water at the base of the pots gives them all of the water they need to stay healthy and happy.

Sponsored
Franklin County's Heavy Timber Specialists | Best of Houzz 2020!