Venus Flytrap Seeds

Venus Flytrap — Dionaea muscipula

With the Venus Flytrap (Dionaea muscipula) you grow the fastest snap-trap in the plant kingdom. Closes in 0.1 seconds — Charles Darwin called it 'the most wonderful plant in the world'. From certified propagation (CITES II compliant). Each trap works only 5-10× before dying back — pure fascination.

What's in the box

• 10 seeds Dionaea muscipula — tested for germination
• Illustrated growing guide in 8 languages (on the seed card)
• Minimum shelf life: 2 years from packaging date

Growing in brief

• Prep: soak seeds 24 h in lukewarm water
• Sowing: in loose, moist seed compost
• Temperature: 20-25 (Lichtkeimer) °C
• Germination: 4-8 weeks

Position & care in detail

• Light: full sun — direct sun mandatory
• Humidity: high (70-90 %)
• Substrate: carnivorous substrate: sphagnum + silica sand (1:1)
• Watering: tray method with rainwater/distilled water
• Feeding: NEVER fertilise, max. 1 insect per trap per month
• Wintering: Frost-tender — minimum -5 °C

Sowing date & timeline

The ideal sowing date depends on the plant type.

Indoors sowing is possible year-round if heat mat and grow light are available. January to April is optimal: after germination the seedling can grow vigorously through spring/summer before light declines in autumn.

Directly outdoors only for frost-hardy species and after mid-May. Frost-tender species should first be raised in pots indoors, then hardened off after mid-May before being placed outdoors.

Pot choice & transplanting

Pot size and transplanting evolve with the plant:

• Sowing: 6×6 cm seed tray per seed or tray pots. Use low-nutrient seed compost.
• Seedling: prick out at 2-3 true leaves into a 9 cm pot with nutrient-rich compost.
• Established: repot every 1-2 years into a pot 2-3 cm larger. Mature plants need 5-30 L pot volume depending on the species.

Tips & tricks

• Use a heat mat: bottom heat at 25 °C speeds germination by weeks
• Mini greenhouse: cover seed tray with a transparent lid or cling film — keeps humidity high
• Prefer fresh seed: the fresher the seed, the higher the germination rate — sow soon after delivery
• Don't trigger traps for fun — wastes energy and weakens the plant
• Winter: bright, cool (0-10 °C), drier — dies back, regrows in spring
• Light germinator — sow seeds on pure sphagnum surface

Good to know

• Native range: Coastal North/South Carolina (USA) — wetlands
• Height: 0.15 m, in a pot 0.05-0.12 m
• Fastest plant snap-trap in the world — closes in 0.1 seconds
• Each trap works only 5-10× before dying back
• Winter rest mandatory: 4-6 weeks cool (0-10 °C)
• From certified propagation (CITES II compliant)

Seed storage

Unopened or leftover Saflax seeds keep for 2 years if stored correctly. Keep dry, cool (vegetable drawer in fridge) and in the original packaging — moisture drastically reduces germination. Test germinability before each sowing: 5 seeds on moist kitchen paper in a covered plastic dish at 22-25 °C — if 4-5 germinate, the rest are reliable.

FAQs

How long does germination take?
Typically 4-8 at 20-25 (Lichtkeimer) °C. Bottom heat (heat mat) shortens germination significantly, often by half.

Can it grow outdoors?
In summer yes, in a sheltered, semi-shaded position. Bring indoors before first frost, min. -5 °C in winter.

How fast does it grow?
Slow in the first year (establishment phase), then notably faster from year two with optimal care and the right position.

Do I need special tools?
A simple seed tray, compost and a bright position are enough. A heat mat (~CHF 30) and a mini greenhouse noticeably improve germination but are not mandatory.

What if seeds don't germinate?
Patience — many exotic species take 4-12 weeks. Check temperature (heat mat!), substrate moisture (evenly moist, never wet) and whether the seeds require stratification or scarification. Saflax seeds are tested for germination before dispatch.

How fast does the trap close?
About 0.1 seconds — one of the fastest movements in the plant kingdom. Studied by Darwin as 'the most wonderful plant in the world'.

Why does it need winter rest?
Genetically programmed — without 4-6 weeks cool dormancy (ideally 0-10 °C, darker) it exhausts itself and dies after 1-2 years.

How best to store leftover seeds?
In the sealed original packet, dry and cool (vegetable drawer of fridge at 4-8 °C). Germinability is preserved through the full 2-year shelf life. Reseal immediately after opening and acclimatise to room temperature before sowing.