Venus Fly Trap, a carnivorous plant acknowledged by Father of Genetics, Charles Darwin, is truly a marvelous plant that grows finest even when kept in a terrarium.
Being a unique plant, Venus Fly Traps do not thrive well when provided with regular soilmix and water.
Thus, stick with the article till the end to uncover all myths and proper steps to prepare a terrarium for Venus Fly Trap.
Table of Contents Show
What Type of Terrarium is Best for a Venus Fly Trap?
In contrast to the Pitcher plant, Venus Fly Trap does not require high humidity but instead suffers from consistently high humidity (>70%).
Closed terrariums feature relatively high humidity making them unsuitable for Venus Fly Trap plants.
If you have a round fish bowl with enough depth, transform it into a carni-rarium.
Otherwise, you can rely on a commercial dish-like, slanted vase-type glass terrarium.
How to Make a Venus Fly Trap Terrarium?
Venus Fly Trap prefers to have its feet relatively moist but detests soggy, water-saturated substrate.
And anything excess nutrients in the soil or mineral deposition from water in the long haul is fatal to Venus Fly Trap.
Furthermore, the bottom-watering approach suits Venus Fly Trap more but is not feasible in a terrarium.
Thus, many gardeners face problems preparing a substrate featuring low nutrients and well-drainage but with medium water retention.
But do not worry! You can tackle these problems by creating a proper drainage layer of the correct depth using suitable substrates.
Now, ensure you have a dish-like glass bowl, leca, silica sand, gravel, perlite, and grow light.
- Thoroughly clean all the tools and glassware before placing the substrates and plants.
- Prepare the first drainage layer by adding leca and pebbles at about an inch.
- Then, carefully stack silica sand, gravel, perlite, and special Venus Fly Trap soilmix.
- Depending upon the size of the plant and terrarium, you can keep the substrate layer of about two inches.
- Subtly spray the substrate using a small misting bottle or can to moisten it evenly.
- Now, place the Venus Fly Trap plants into the substrate using a pair of tweezers.
- If your Venus already has traps, avoid setting them off as much as possible.
- After placing the plant in the terrarium, you can brush off the substrate to cover and secure them.
- Place your terrarium under the high-intensity, full-spectrum artificial grow light and lighten them up for about 8-10 hours daily.
Pro Tip: You can use a stemless wine glass to make a DIY tiny terrarium for small or younger Venus Fly Trap plants.
Venus Fly Trap Terrarium For Sale
Other than reusing fish bowls, you can always find various aesthetic open-type terrariums to match your interior.
Here are some of the best-suited terrariums for your Venus Fly Trap plants.
| Terrarium for Venus Fly Trap | Product Image |
|---|---|
| NCYP 6.69" Glass Terrarium |  |
| Hanging Diamond Terrarium |  |
| Mkono Plant Terrarium |  |
| KNIKGLASS Clear Terrarium |  |
How to Grow Venus Fly Trap in Terrarium?
Open or semi-closed terrariums are still somewhat isolated than those in the open pot.
Furthermore, terrariums require regular maintenance to keep plants inside them healthy and thriving.
Here are some tips for growing Venus Fly Traps in Terrarium.
- Use distilled or reverse osmosis water to keep the plant substrate moist, and avoid using tap water as they contain chemicals and minerals.
- Avoid watering the plant too often, as the terrarium relatively dehydrates slower.
- However, increase watering habits in summer and reduce it in winter as they remain dormant.
- The plant does not need to be fertilized and stays all happy green with adequate moisture and sunlight.
- Change the substrate or repot once every year in early spring, as it can become compact over time with mineral accumulation.
- Ensure the temperature of the terrarium stays between 70 and 90°F in summer.
- As Venus Fly Trap stays dormant in winter, place them in a cool place with a temperature of 45-50°F and cut back sunlight or grow light duration.
Though Venus Fly Trap enjoys direct sunlight, do not place the ones in terrariums under the direct afternoon sun.
The glass can amplify sunlight causing excess heat build-up and scorching.
Therefore, be it a closed or open terrarium, place them in a room with enough bright indirect sunlight.
Editor’s Note
Catch Flies & Let Them Have Meaty Buffet!
Venus Fly Trap plants in terrariums do not have the luxury of capturing flies as in their natural habitat.
Thus, as a supplementary diet besides ideal lighting and water, give them flies as a source of protein and other nutrients to encourage better foliage growth.
All The Best!
