Venus Flytraps and Humidity

In the wild, Venus Flytraps grow in above 50% humidity. Many growers advise between 50-70% humidity for growing this plant. Higher than that, other measures will have to be taken to avoid rotting your flytrap. A Venus Flytrap in a closed terrarium will experience nearly 100% humidity. This can lead to the plant rotting.

Venus Flytraps and Sitting Water

In the wild, Venus Flytraps have access to water in their soil. Although the soil is moist where they grow, the water has a place to move to and the open-air environment allows the water to evaporate. In a terrarium, the water may sit and stagnate at the bottom of the container, and mould, bacteria, and fungi can grow. This can lead to poor plant health.

…But I Want to Grow a Venus Flytrap in a Terrarium

Many growers do not advise growing Venus Flytraps in a terrarium, since Flytraps can be difficult even on their own. If you are reading this and thinking “I’m going to do it anyway” please consider the thousands of people before you who have thought the same thing with mixed results. These plants can be difficult. We recommend getting the hang of growing them before trying experimentation with terrariums.

Recommendations for Terrarium Growing Venus Flytraps

If you are 100% going to grow the Venus Flytrap in a less-than-optimal environment there are a couple of considerations that can make your growing experience a bit easier. Ensure that you know how to water the plant for the container it resides in. This means not having too much sitting water and knowing when the plant needs water. Keeping the plant constantly moist without having too much stagnant water around the root area can help. This can be done by making the container taller so that the roots have more length to grow in. This can avoid having the roots and rhizome sitting in lots of water. Additionally, having an open terrarium (not completely closed) or having a fan to promote airflow for the plant’s growing environment will help the plant avoid rotting. Growing Venus Flytraps in an open terrarium also lets in more light which Venus Flytraps love! Light is often blocked or reflected by terrarium glass and can lead to the plant making smaller traps and slowly degenerating over time. Airflow will allow more robust growth for your Venus Flytrap and will help it survive longer term.

Recommended Terrarium for Venus Flytrap

For a Venus Flytrap terrarium, we recommend:

• Good airflow
• A tall terrarium with 1:1 peat and perlite or peat and sand media
• Nutrient free media
• Very bright direct light
• Avoid sitting water
• Constantly moist media
• Open style terrarium