- Venus flytraps require strong, natural light for at least half a day. Place the flytrap in a windowsill that has strong morning light. If the plant is in an enclosed terrarium and a place with direct, all-day light, remove the lid. The Venus flytrap may also be grown under fluorescent light. Use a high-temperature, full spectrum light and place it about a foot over the soil.
- In the wild, Venus flytraps hail from nutrient-poor soils in swamps and bogs. The plant must have a nutrient-poor soil media, as regular potting soil or garden soil will burn the plant's roots and kill the plant. A half-and-half mixture of dried, basic peat moss and perlite or sand works well. Avoid using enriched peat moss, as these contain harsh fertilizers that may burn and kill the plant.
- Mist or water the plant one to three times a week to keep the soil moist to the touch. A spray bottle works well, as plants like to have wet leaves. Plants in a terrarium will need less misting, as the environment is already humid. Use distilled water or rainwater only when watering a Venus flytrap. If tap water is the only option, let it sit for between one to two days to dissipate the chlorine.
- Venus flytraps should not be fed live prey more than once a week. The plant is capable of surviving for long periods of time without eating and can grow well with just one insect a month. Most small insects work well as food, including flies, spiders, large ants or ladybugs. Insects should easily fit within the trap. If the trap cannot close fully around an insect, the plant may become infected. Traps require a lot of energy to close and should not be triggered excessively for fun.
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