The Venus Flytrap is easily one of the most famous carnivorous plants out there. Even though it doesn’t get very big, it’s a total showstopper with its iconic snapping traps and delicate flowers. If you’ve ever wondered just how big these little bug-eaters get, you’re in the right place!
The Specs at a Glance
- Plant Height: 4 inches (10 cm)
- Flower Height: 20 inches (50 cm)
- Flower Size: 1.2 inches (3 cm)
- Trap Size: 1.5 inches (4 cm)
With a maximum height of about four inches, this carnivore is on the smaller side. However, the flowers sit on long stalks that can reach up to 20 inches high. This means the blooms tower way above the leaves and traps. There’s a clever reason for this in nature: the plant needs to be pollinated by insects to reproduce, and it wouldn’t be very smart to eat the same bugs that are trying to help it make seeds!
The Venus Flytrap features bright green leaves, and at the ends, you’ll find those signature snap traps. You’ll notice the insides are often a vibrant red—a perfect lure for unsuspecting prey.
The Venus Flytrap Loves to Spread Out
Since these plants like to expand every year, you’ll want to repot them regularly. They grow outward by forming new rhizomes (underground stems) to propagate. When you’re picking out a new home for your plant, choose a pot with a diameter roughly equal to the plant’s height. Make sure the pot is deep enough to allow for good drainage, too.
Using Large Plants for Propagation
If you have a large, healthy Venus Flytrap, the best time to get new “baby” plants is during repotting. You can easily pull the new rhizomes apart or snip them off with a clean knife or scissors. Just make sure each section has enough leaves and roots to survive on its own.
Once you’ve got your new offsets, tuck them into a fresh pot filled with the right substrate. Place them in a bright spot but keep them out of harsh, direct sunlight while they settle in. If you keep the humidity up, your Venus Flytrap can grow up to four new traps every single month!
