How to Care for a Venus Flytrap Indoors

Venus flytrap is an unusual and mysterious carnivorous plant, often the focus of Gothic novels and horror movies. Have no fear if you want to grow a Venus flytrap, as the plant won't eat you or your pet cat for lunch. It may, however, devour a few insects that are unlucky enough to land on its trap. Although Venus flytrap isn't difficult to grow indoors, the plant has specific requirements that must be met.

Plant your Venus flytrap in a container filled with sphagnum moss or a mixture of half peat moss and half sand. Avoid garden soil or regular potting soil, which won't be acidic enough for your Venus flytrap. Use a container with a drainage hole in the bottom.

Place the pot in a saucer filled with 2 to 3 inches of distilled water, which will provide the high level of moisture and humidity the plant requires. Drain the saucer during the winter months, and keep the sphagnum moss moist but not soggy.

Locate your Venus flytrap where the plant will receive at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight every day. If you don't have a sunny window, place the plant under a florescent light for 14 to 16 hours every day. Move your plants away from cold windows during the winter.

Feed your Venus flytrap one or two tiny insects such as a dead fly or a tiny spider every two weeks if the plant isn't catching its own insects. Never feed your Venus flytrap hamburger or other meat, as the fat and protein will kill the Venus flytrap. Avoid fertilizer, as insects will provide all the nutrients the flytrap needs.

Place your Venus flytrap outdoors occasionally during the summer months so the plant can catch its own food.

Never use your finger or a pencil to trigger your Venus flytrap. The oil on your hands will harm the plant, and tricking the plant to close will deplete the plant's energy.