Venus Flytrap Seeds (How to Plant)
Growing Venus Flytrap plants from seeds can be a gratifying experience when done correctly.
First, however, you’ll want to collect a few items before you get started:
● A container with a lid or a pot and saran wrap. You could choose to purchase a
seedling tray with a dome lid or use a disposable plastic container. 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 (10cm or less).
● The proper soil. We sell carnivorous plant soil in our store, or you can follow this guide
for suitable soil.
● Venus Flytrap Seeds. Obviously.
● 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). You’ll need to provide a warm environment to germinate
the seeds, so additional heating may be required.
● A spray bottle (optional). This can help keep the soil moist but isn’t necessary.
To get started, fill your container or pot with soil* and evenly moisten. You will want to 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 close to the top.
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/10cm pot, a “pinch” of seeds will do (likely 15-20 seeds).
You will want to 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.
Your next job is to make sure your seeds get plenty of light and warmth and prevent mold
growth.
If your lid has ventilation holes, this will go a long way. If you are covering your plant in
saran wrap, you’ll want to remove the covering 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, of
course, water daily, which is when a spray bottle comes in handy. Another option is to 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 may take up to a month. As
more and more produce leaves, you can begin to keep the cover off the plant for short periods.
At about 4-6 weeks, you can remove the lid altogether.
For germination to occur, the seeds must be kept warm enough. 25-32 degrees Celsius is ideal.
Using a seedling tray and lid in a sunny window may trap enough heat inside on its own.
However, suppose your seedlings are in pots or under fluorescent lighting. In that case, it’s
highly possible that they will not be warm enough, and you’ll need to put a heating mat
underneath the seedlings to ensure germination.
Around 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
pansies 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.