Dionaea

( die - on - AY - uh )

At-A-Glance Information

This monotypic genus is commonly called Venus Fly Trap, and is native to the East Coast of the United States. These plants produce terminal leaves with a jaw-like 'clamping' structure to them, lined with sensitive hairs that when activated trigger a closing response, trapping prey inside the 'mouth'. These plants are considered somewhat endangered due to poaching in their native range. Venus Fly traps have a life span of between 20 and 30 years. Grow these curious plants in containers or in the ground as specimens.

Dionaea Species and Varietals

The genus Dionaea is a member of the plant family Droseraceae. Dionaea muscipula, the only species, has the specific epithet 'muscipula', which means flytrap in Latin. The Venus Flytrap is closely related to Aldrovanda vesiculosa (Waterwheel Plant) and Drosera (Sundews). These plants grow in USDA hardiness zones 5-10 or indoors as houseplants or greenhouse specimens. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Dionaea muscipula (Venus Fly Trap, Meadow Clam, Tippitiwitchet)
These plants were first encountered by European explorers in 1759, and forms a basal rosette of between 4 and 7 green leaves that sprout from a bulb-like organ under the soil. The true leaves are the 'traps' of these plants; petioles are capable of photosynthesis. Flowers are white, and borne on long stems. There are four major forms of this species, including 'typica' (most common, with broad decumbent petioles), 'erecta' (with leaves at a 45 degree angle), 'linearis' (with narrow petioles), and 'filiformis' (with extremely narrow to linear petioles). Varieties are listed below.

'Akai Ryu' ('Red Dragon')

'Alien'

'B52'

'Blanche Hermine'

'Bohemian Garnet'

'Clayton's Red Sunset'

'Coquillage'

'Cupped Trap'

'Dentate Traps'

'Fondue'

'Fused Tooth'

'Green Dragon'

'Holland Red'

'JA1'

'Jaws'

'Justina Davis'

'Korean Melody Shark'

'Korrigans'

'Louchapates'

'Microdent'

'Mirror'

'Petite Dragon'

'Red Piranha'

'Royal Red'

'Sawtooth'

'Scarlatine'

'Scarlet Bristle'

'South West Giant'

'Wacky Traps'

Caring for Dionaea

Plant Dionaea, or Venus Fly Trap in a space in the landscape that receives full sun; ideally, they appreciate between 6 and 8 hours of sun each day for the best performance. When grown in insufficient light, Venus Fly Traps will become weak and pale. Ensure that soil is well-draining, rich in nutrients, and has a pH of between 3.9 and 4.5 (acidic). These plants prefer soils that are poor in nutrients; a 50/50 mix of perlite and peat moss is ideal. If growing in a container, fill the pot with substrate, and sit the pot in a tray of distilled water to remain waterlogged. Do not use tap water to irrigate. Do not fertilize. Pruning is simple; remove any damaged, diseased, or dead foliage at any time during the growing season. Make sure to cut, and not pull, dead tissue from the plant. These plants require a winter dormancy period of 3-4 months, where growth slows and they may die back. They should be kept in a cool area (40-50 degrees Fahrenheit) during this time. During summer, they prefer warmer temperatures (between 70 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit). If kept outdoors, these plants will catch their own food. If in a controlled environment, feed sparingly and only 1-2 traps at a time.

Propagation

Dionaea, or Venus Fly Trap, is best propagated through division. The best time to divide these plants is in late winter or early springtime, just as they are coming out of dormancy. To propagate your Venus Fly Trap, follow the instructions below:

Propagating Dionaea by Division

Using a trowel, dig up the existing plant. Start from the outside and work your way in to avoid damaging the rhizome roots. Once you have worked it up out of the ground, lay it out.
Gently pull and tease apart the rhizome clusters, ensuring that each division has rots and above-ground leaves.
Prepare your pot(s) or new planting site(s) with a 50/50 mix of perlite and sphagnum moss. Then, plant your divisions and water thoroughly.
Continue regular care.