How to Repot a Venus Flytrap

Venus flytraps (Dionaea muscipula) are without a doubt the most infamous carnivorous plants around and have become popular amongst botanists and houseplant hobbyists alike. Native to the boggy regions of North and South Carolina, Venus flytraps are accustomed to the nutrient-poor growing medium of the Carolina boglands and they obtain their nutrients by "eating" insects, which they have become famous for.

While Venus flytraps have obtained the reputation of being difficult to grow, this stereotype is not warranted as their growing conditions are actually quite straightforward. One important aspect of maintaining a healthy Venus flytrap is regular repotting of the plant to ensure that it has adequate room to grow.

When to Repot a Venus Flytrap

For best results, Venus flytraps should be repotted annually to help keep the potting medium fresh. Over time, the potting medium can become compacted which makes it difficult for the plant to grow new roots. While Venus flytraps don't mind being repotted during most times of the year, it is best to repot them during the spring or early summer as this is when they come out of their winter dormancy. Avoid repotting Venus flytraps while they are actively flowering.

It's also a good idea to repot a Venus flytrap as soon as it is purchased to ensure that any impurities from the water it was given at the nursery do not stick around in the soil. Venus flytraps require pure water (filtered or rainwater is best!) to thrive. Repotting after you purchase also helps to ensure that the potting medium is correct as Venus flytraps are picky with their growing medium.

Before Getting Started

Choosing the Right Potting Medium

Choosing the right soil/potting medium for your Venus flytrap is the most crucial aspect of successfully repotting one. Venus flytraps are native to the bogs of North and South Carolina and are accustomed to an acidic, nutrient-poor growing medium. Using standard potting soil or nutrient-enhanced mixtures will burn the Venus flytraps and kill them quickly.

When repotting a Venus flytrap, a standard carnivorous plant soil mixture should be used. You can either mix one yourself or look for Venus flytrap potting soil to achieve this. If you are mixing the soil yourself, a 1:1 mixture of unenriched peat moss and perlite is ideal. The peat moss provides the acidity that Venus flytraps require, while the perlite helps to retain moisture.

Choosing the Right Pot

There are a couple of important considerations when it comes to choosing a pot for your Venus flytrap. While Venus flytraps stay relatively small, even at maturity, their root systems can grow fairly deep so choosing a pot with some depth to it is beneficial for the plant. A minimum pot depth of 4 inches is recommended so that the roots can develop while keeping the majority of the water away from the rhizomes.

Proper insulation is also important for Venus flytraps. When grown indoors insulation is less of a concern as they can be temperature-controlled more easily, but typically leaving extra room around the rhizomes so that the potting medium can buffer them from extreme heat or cold is a good idea. A minimum of 2 inches of potting medium around the edges of the rhizomes is recommended for optimal insulation. This may mean choosing a larger pot for your Venus flytrap. In most cases, plastic pots are best for Venus flytraps.