The seeds of a Venus flytrap plant are easy to germinate and grow. Also known as Dionaea muscipula, the Venus flytrap seeds can be sourced and shipped from anywhere across the globe. That is because the US does not have any laws against them. The plant’s flowering and seed-producing season in the northern hemisphere starts in April and ends in June.
Therefore, fresh seeds should be available by late June or early July. Proper storage of the seeds in a refrigerator is critical because it ensures the seeds can still germinate even after being stored a few years. So, below is a step by step guide on how to grow Venus flytraps from seeds.
Here’s a recommended article you can to read about caring for your Venus flytraps further: How to Care and Grow Venus Flytraps?
grow Venus flytraps from Seeds Step by Step
1) Preparing Your Soil for Venus Flуtrарѕ Seeds
Start by prepping the soil. The soil used as a medium for growing adult Venus flytraps can also be used as the growing medium for the seeds. This soil consists of the sphagnum peat moss, which has been cleaned off minerals by running distilled water through it and allowing it to drain for four minutes. Other ingredients added to the soil during preparation include silica sand or perlite. You should not use miracle-Gro or “potting soil” mainly because they contain minerals that can kill then Venus flytrap.
To learn more about Soli stuff in regards to Carnivorous planting, you may find a good read on our guide here: Carnivorous Plant Soil Recipes
Don't feel like mixing your own carnivorous soils?
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2) Prepare The Growing Container
The primary purpose of a growing container is to make sure the seeds remain moist and warm. However, the container should also allow for the proper circulation of air. A Tupperware-type container is an excellent choice since you will be able to poke holes in the bottom portion and the top cover. The poked holes allow the drainage of water and excess heat to move out. They also act as ventilation for the circulation of air. As alternatives to the growing container, you can also use a regular planting container or a pot, but make sure to cover the top with a clear plastic bag.
To learn about what are the perfect pots to grow your Carnivorous plant along with the Venus flytrap, here’s our article for this: What Are the Best Pots to Grow Carnivorous Plants?
3) Use Distilled Water To Moisten The Growing Medium.
Once you have moistened the growing medium, place it into the growing container. At this point, you can plant the seeds.
4) Do Not Plant The Venus Flуtrарѕ Seeds Underground
It is critical to keep in mind that the seeds do not get buried. Instead, scatter the seeds you want to plant on top of the growing medium and sift fine dust of sphagnum peat moss over your seeds. The dust helps retain moisture and ensure the emerging root does not dry out, become stunted, or calloused. The dust forms an extra layer that the Venus flytrap seeds push against as the root germinates. Nonetheless, the seeds should only be covered lightly, ensuring that they are still visible through the dust, else they might not grow.
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5) Spray Water On The Dusting
Distilled water should be sprayed on the Sphagnum peat moss dusting to help moisten both the dusting and the seeds. A vented lid should be used to cover the growing container. The covering may be removed permanently after 4 – 6 weeks once the seeds have already sprouted.
6) Place The Germination Chamber In A Place With Indirect Sunlight
Avoid putting the germination chamber in direct sunlight. That is because it might overheat both the soil and air inside and can even kill or damage the seeds or sprout. Typically, bright indirect sunlight is the best. The container cover can be removed after most of the seeds have germinated, and then you can expose the plants to more direct sunlight. Adult Venus flytraps need sufficient sunlight, with a minimum of about 3 – 4 hours a day of direct sunlight.
7) Keep The Growing Medium Moist And Warm
Throughout the germination period of 13 – 35 days, the growing medium must always be kept moist. First, consider using a spray bottle to softly wet the surface of the soil and continue spraying to ensure the medium is saturated adequately until the water drains out the bottom. Alternatively, you can place the growing container in another chamber that holds distilled water and give the soil sufficient time to suck this water upwards via the drain holes.
8) Make Sure The Soil Surface Is Moist
It is essential to ensure the surface of the soil is moist because the newly emerging root needs enough water for it to continue growing. Only use mineral-free water like clean rainwater, reverse-osmosis water, or distilled water. Once the seedlings are transplanted from their temporary germination container, the amount of water should be reduced. Also, at this stage, the plants should be allowed to have more air in the soil. After the Venus flytraps have passed the tiny seedling phase, they grow healthy in a moist, instead of saturated or soggy soil. However, you must always be careful to ensure the soil never dries out completely.
9) Ensure The Venus Flуtrарѕ' Growing Chamber Is Humid
Always make sure that the growing container is humid. However, this can be automatically achieved through the containers covering. Whereas the interior of the growing container should be humid, remember to lift off the container’s lid at least once every day. Also, fan the air to allow fresh air to enter and prevent the formation of molds. While the humidity for newly germinating seeds should be high, adult Venus flytraps do not need high humidity.
10) Keep The Growing Chamber Warm
The optimum temperature required to germinate Venus flytraps seeds is more than 78 and can be as high as 90. Seeds kept at temperatures lower than this will take as long as 3 to 5 weeks as compared to 13 to 15 days if kept at optimum temperatures. The seeds may not germinate if the temperatures are too low.
11) Transplant The Venus Flуtrарѕ Seeds To A Permanent Uncovered Container
If all goes well and your seeds germinate and sprout, you can now transplant them to a permanent uncovered container. The best time to transplant the seeds is after 2 – 3 weeks of growth in the germination chamber. At this stage, the seed leaves have extended out of the seed, and a small true trap leaf has formed. Also, the plant will now have a base and a small root that can be transplanted. That will help anchor the plant in the new growing medium and adapt to its new conditions. A moist wooden toothpick is the best medium for transplanting the new plant. Poke a small hole in the new growing medium and carefully lower the toothpick into the soil close to the plant and lift it, make sure the root is intact. After this, you can transfer the new plant to a small hole in the new growing chamber and gently settle it.
What We Learned While Writing How To Grow Venus Flуtrарѕ From Seeds
In only a few months, your plant should be mature enough to be separated into individual small growing containers. However, you can also choose to keep them in the same container for an interesting effect. Once your flytraps have been grown indoors for their first winter, you can opt to acclimatize them to the outdoor conditions. That will allow them to receive more direct sunlight during summer and spring. It will have a more significant effect if done in May, after the year’s last frost. Technically, your Venus flytraps will be about ½ inch tall by the time they are one year old. The flytraps reach their flowering maturity after three seasons.
