Lundmosegård Planter.

Venus Flytrap - Dionaea muscipula

Introduction to the Venus Flytrap

Dionaea muscipula, also known as the Venus Flytrap, is undoubtedly one of the most fascinating plants in the world. Many children have had the pleasure of interacting with one, and even adults who are usually indifferent to plants find it hard not to touch or gaze at them in wonder.

A plant that can dramatically move, capture, and even digest animals sparks excitement and fascination everywhere. There is only one living species in the genus Dionaea, and its natural range is limited to a few locations in North and South Carolina. It thrives in a warm/temperate climate with a defined growing season and a distinct dormancy period. This is crucial to remember when cultivating it. The Venus Flytrap is not a tropical plant and actually thrives better outdoors than in a windowsill.

In the wild, it grows in quartz sand, living sphagnum moss, and accumulated peat, often under open pine canopies and always in humid, acidic conditions. It has been introduced by humans and established self-sustaining populations as far south as northern Florida and up to 800 km north of its natural range in New Jersey. This demonstrates its ability to tolerate both warmer and colder climates than its original habitat.

In cultivation, the Venus Flytrap can be kept cool but frost-free during winter. However, it can also survive severe frost down to -20 °C. In Danish conditions, an unheated greenhouse is ideal year-round, but many varieties also thrive outdoors.

The Traps

The traps consist of two opposing modified leaves with a row of "teeth" along the edge. On the inner surface of the traps, small sensory hairs act as triggers. The trap snaps shut quickly when two of these hairs are touched within 20 seconds, or when one hair is touched repeatedly in rapid succession. One could almost say that the plant "can count"!

This mechanism ensures that the plant does not waste energy closing its trap on unsuitable objects like leaves or raindrops. Triggering the trap requires energy, so it must be worthwhile, which is only the case if there is a realistic chance of capturing prey.

Crossing

All varieties of Venus Flytrap can be crossed, except for sterile forms. This is because all varieties belong to the same species, no matter how different they appear. You can also self-pollinate the plants to enhance recessive traits, which are often responsible for the most bizarre forms.

A common myth claims that the plant may die if it blooms, but this is not necessarily true. Healthy plants that follow the natural seasonal cycle are not harmed by blooming. However, stressed or unhealthy plants may "bloom themselves to death."

Under Danish conditions, Venus Flytraps usually bloom from late May to June in greenhouses if the plants follow the natural seasonal rhythm. Blooming at other times – for example, in windowsill-grown or newly purchased plants – may indicate that the plant does not recognize seasonal changes. In such cases, the flower stalks should be removed, as the plant likely cannot withstand frost. These "seasonally confused" plants are often in vitro propagated and require time to adapt to a natural environment.

Propagation by Seeds

Propagation by seeds is relatively easy. Fresh seeds germinate immediately, while dried seeds often require a stratification process involving cold treatment before germinating the following spring.

Even as small seedlings, the plants show noticeable variation. New adult plants can be expected 3–4 years after sowing. Propagation by seeds is the only way to create new varieties, but this requires hundreds of seedlings for every new plant worth naming.

As a breeder, it is crucial to have a clear goal. Here at Lundmosegård, our goal is to develop new varieties that can thrive in any garden bog.

Outdoor Cultivation

I am currently experimenting with cultivating Venus Flytraps outdoors in Denmark. Earlier attempts with plants from local supermarkets always failed. Later, I discovered that these plants are often grown under conditions where they are kept active year-round. Such plants cannot withstand frost because they do not recognize seasonal changes.

Today, I use only varieties from hobbyists or small nurseries, where the plants follow natural seasonal rhythms. I am also working on breeding new Danish varieties based on genetic material from the best outdoor cultivars.

The key to success is full sun exposure and minimal competition from other plants. I am experimenting with various moisture levels and substrates, ranging from pure peat to sand-enriched mixtures.

I have around 80 named varieties planted outdoors, and most are thriving. Generally, the more mutated the traps, the less suitable they are for outdoor cultivation. However, the plant’s color is less critical—both entirely red and entirely green plants can be fully hardy. Outdoors, the plants bloom from late June to August but still manage to produce viable seeds before winter.