Venus Flytrap Seeds How to plant Guide.
Venus Flytraps are not the easiest plant to grow from seed, but can provide a very rewarding
growing experience when done correctly. You’ll want to collect a few items to get started:
● A container with a lid (or a pot and saran wrap). A seedling tray with a dome lid or a
disposable plastic container will also work. If using the latter, make sure to drill small
holes in the top and bottom. If you’re using a pot, make sure it has drainage holes and is
relatively shallow (4 inches or less).
● The proper soil. We sell carnivorous plant soil in our store, or you can follow this guide
for suitable soil.
● The seeds themselves. (In case that wasn’t a given!)
● A sunny window or grow lamp. You’ll need consistent bright light, so consider a
fluorescent plant light if you don’t have a southern-facing window.
● Distilled water. Rainwater or reverse osmosis water are also acceptable.
● A heating pad (optional). The seeds need a warm environment to germinate which
makes additional heat occasionally needed.
● A spray bottle (optional). This can help keep the soil moist and make watering easier,
but isn’t a requirement.
You will want to start by filling your container or pot with soil* and evenly moisten. Make sure it is
damp but not drenched to start. This is where a spray bottle filled with distilled water can help.
There is no need to keep room for more dirt: Fill the pot completely with dirt.
Next, get your seeds. How many seeds you use will depend on the size of your container.
Venus Flytrap seeds are tiny, so you will use a more significant number of seeds than you might
for other plants. For a 4inch pot, a “pinch” of seeds will do (likely 15-20 seeds). Evenly distribute
the seeds over the soil’s surface rather than leaving them in a clump in the center. Do NOT
cover the seeds with further soil. If the top of your soil has already dried out, make sure to mist
the seeds and topsoil with water. Cover with the lid or a sheet of plastic wrap.
Make sure your seeds get plenty of light and warmth but also prevent mold growth. A lid with
ventilation holes will go a long way, but you can also remove whatever covering you’re using
and let in fresh air once a day. Trapped heat and moisture will speed the germination process,
but unfortunately, they’re also ideal mold growing conditions! Finally, make sure your seeds are
in a brightly lit window or under a full-spectrum lamp. 12-16 hours of light is ideal.
To keep your carnivorous plant seeds properly damp, you have a few options. You can water
daily (we recommend a spray bottle with a fine mist for this), or place your pot in a shallow dish
of water and let it absorb the water from the bottom up.
Your seeds should germinate between 13-20 days, though some seeds may take up to a month.
As more and more seeds begin to produce leaves, you can start to keep the cover off the
container for short periods. At about 4-6 weeks, you can remove the lid or covering altogether.
In order for germination to occur, the seeds need to be warm enough. 75-90 degrees Fahrenheit
is ideal. Using a seedling tray and lid in a sunny window may trap enough heat inside on its
own. If you’re using a fluorescent light, however, it’s highly possible that the seeds will not be
warm enough, and you’ll need to put a heating mat underneath your pot or tray to ensure
germination.
About eight weeks after planting, your seedlings should have two leaves each, and it is time to
start thinning them out. Carefully transplant at least half of the seedlings into another container.
They will be pretty small, so many home gardeners find a toothpick the perfect utensil for gently
digging and lifting the tiny seedlings.
One final note: remember that Venus flytraps are not your typical annual seed plant. Unlike the
marigolds you started from seed last Spring, your carnivorous plant will take 1-2 years to
mature. So be patient and enjoy the process!
*Some growers recommend sterilizing your soil before you get started to prevent mold and other
fungi during the germination period. This is not strictly necessary but will not hurt the plant or
soil.