How to Grow Venus Fly Trap

Choose a pot up to twice the size of the selected plant. The wider the pot, the more potential humidity immediately around the plant, which it will prefer. Position in a well-lit protected area, ideally with about four hours direct sunlight per day and fill with a low nutrient quality growing media, such as Yates Seed Raising Mix with some sphagnum moss mixed in. A kitchen/bathroom window sill may be ideal, with the added humidity a bonus.

To further assist with soil moisture retention, mix in some Yates Waterwise Water Storage Crystals into the growing media.

Remove the plant from its container, minimising disturbance to the roots.

Position in hole and backfill with soil, gently firming down. Water in very well, but allow to drain freely.

Move outdoors into a sheltered position over winter as the plants enter dormancy. Watering can be reduced during this time (only just enough to keep the soil moist).

• If insects are few and far between, you can try some Yates Thrive All Purpose Liquid Plant Food applied at half the recommended rate, in a light spray directly onto foliage (avoid applying to growing media).
• Sitting pots in a shallow tray of water is an easy way to maintain moisture in the growing media, but this should be refreshed daily. Where possible, regular watering (several times a day as required) of a freely drained pot would instead be ideal.
• Avoid using water with high levels of dissolved minerals ('hard water'). Rainwater is ideal, where available or alternatively use deionised water.
• Trimming off flowers as they shoot up from the base of the plant should help to maximise plant growth.
• It's fun to 'set-off' the traps yourself, but remember this reduces the plant's chances of catching a meal.