Venus Flytrap Smoking: Separating Truth From Smoke

Videos and photos of Venus Flytrap smoking and their burnt edges might make you believe plants can smoke like humans. Well, not every viral video has true information.

Follow along to debunk the myths about the viral Venus Flytrap meme and the possibilities of plant smoking. 

Is The Venus Flytrap Smoking Meme Real?

The Venus Flytrap smoking is another internet viral thing with no natural or botanical relevance.

But unlike the AI-generated Alpine Lotus, the photos of Venus Flytrap smoking are real.

However, the narrative about plant smoking is false and not real. 

What Is All With The Venus Flytrap Trap Smoking Meme?

Videos and photos that go by the name Venus Flytrap or Carnivorous plant smoking are a hoax meant to be funny and entertaining.

It all started with a Youtube channel named Kluna Tik uploading a video 9 years ago.

In the video, a person places the cigarette between the Venus Flytrap lobes, which the plant holds as if it were about to smoke.

And the video resurfaced again in 2021/22, becoming a meme where a plant is smoking. 

But, Can Venus Flytrap Actually Smoke?

A cigarette butt between the lobes of a Venus Flytrap makes it look like it is smoking. And I agree it does resemble a human lip holding a cigarette. 

Not just Venus Flytraps, none of the plants can inhale and exhale the smoke produced by burning substances like tobacco or cannabis.

In the case of the Venus Flytrap, it is a carnivorous plant with a natural ability to trap and hold onto flies and beetles. They use the trapped insects as their food source.

As you trigger the sensory hairs inside the lobes, they will close the lobes as a response. 

And similar is the case with the cigarette. Had it not been a cigarette and just your pinky finger, the plant would have tried grasping them as well.

The lobes of the Venus Flytrap produce sticky nectar that helps in adhesion. While the spiky teeth on the edge of both lobes clasp together, preventing the prey’s escape.

Generally, Venus Flytraps can only trap small insects around 1/3 to 1/2 the size of the trap.

Why Is My Venus Flytrap Burning?

First things first, burning in Venus Flytrap has nothing to do with smoking.

But you should not ignore the brown patches on the plant as they may indicate watering issues, improper sunlight, or nutrient deficiency. 

Meanwhile, Venus Flytrap is native to North and Soth Carolina, where the temperature barely goes below 40°F.

Exposing the Venus Flytrap to freezing cold surroundings could be the reason for burn-like marks instead of smoking. 

And sometimes, the plant may not receive proper nutrients, causing it to turn yellow and eventually darken. 

Here is how you can prevent Venus Flytrap from burning.

• Place the plant in a spot where it gets bright indirect light for at least 6 hours a day. 
• Make sure to bring your plant indoors if your zone has extreme winter (below 40°F), especially from zone 7 and below.
• Fertilize the Venus Flytrap with 1/2 strength of carnivorous plant fertilizer once during the active growing months i.e., from May to October.
• Bottom water the plant once the first 1-2 inch of the soil is dry. Make sure to drain the excess to avoid mushy roots.