Should I Let My Venus Flytrap Flower? Is it Bad For The Plant?

Venus Flytraps can have large white spots or fire breathe, giving them an ominous appearance. They make unique and wonderful houseplants, and although they may look scary, they’re not. Many people wonder when this plant starts blooming, as it is indeed a wonder to see them grow.

Let’s take a look at everything you should know about this very unique and interesting plant. Yes, the Venus Flytrap does produce flowers, but not in ways you might expect.

No Flower, No Problem

Donaea Petite Dragon Plant
There are several varieties to choose from, that have different colors, even without their flowers.

There are several stunning varieties to choose from, each with different sizes and colors. If you’re not a fan of plain flowers, then you might be lucky to have an eye-catching idea like the Venus Flytrap.

The ‘Jaws’ or ‘Ginormous’ traps, which can measure longer than 2 inches, are able to catch much larger sport hand other on. This traps variety brightens a room with its brilliant maroon and green colors. For example, the ‘Petite Dragon,’ lives up to its sporting name by making their little inch-half traps vibrant in size.

This variety remains entirely red and maintains that appearance throughout its lifespan. The D. ‘Red Dragon’ is an ideal option for enthusiasts of red and maroon shades. Additionally, there are numerous alternatives available for individuals who appreciate vibrant bursts of color.

The ‘Red Piranha’ is another crimson variety, but occasionally its teeth-like trigger hairs are lime green, producing a stunning, attention-grabbing contrast.

The age of the plant does not matter at all and it remains green in its entirety. If you prefer a cultivar, Davis’ ‘Justina D.’ Would be a better fit for you, especially if green is your preference.

Should I Let My Venus Flytrap Flower?

Plant Flowering Near Window
While many gardeners advocate against flowering, it’s really a personal choice.

If you have already surpassed that stage, let’s consider what actions to take. Generally, no, you should not permit this plant to bloom. However, should you allow this plant to indeed blossom? We have confirmed that the Venus Flytrap is capable of producing flowers, therefore…

Cut Them or Leave Them?

During the blooming phase, it may be recommended to give some additional tender loving care. Some recommend attracting insects and allowing the plant to bloom each spring, enabling it to follow its natural course – while others propose strongly that the stems should be removed, as they can be lethal to your indoor venus flytrap. They argue that the entire blooming process has caused quite a commotion among the gardening community due to these flowers.

When it comes down to it, understanding the importance of health and its impact on plants is the most important thing to navigate through the confusion. This can be equally confusing for both experienced individuals and new owners.

A Venus Flytrap rarely causes its own demise. Insufficient energy can lead to slower, stunted development, which can be stressful for a young or unhealthy plant. The production of flowers diverts essential nutrients and resources from its overall growth. Nonetheless, the Venus Flytrap does not hinder the flowering process.

The plant will continue to produce flowers throughout the season, thriving and blooming without needing any extra fuss or care. However, a young or unhealthy plant may struggle to bounce back once it has exhausted all its energy towards its flowers.

If you have a liking for the flowers, you may choose to keep them, otherwise, you can remove them. Ultimately, it all depends on personal preference, the condition of your plant, and your level of expertise.

During the spring season, you might need to perform this task multiple times. Merely trim them at their foundation. It is recommended to do it promptly upon their emergence, in case you opt to remove the blossoms, regardless of the rationale.

Propagating (if Flowering)

Growing Plant in Pot
Flowering can be useful, if you are planning to propagate your plant.

Allowing your Venus Flytrap to flower opens up new ways to expand your collection. You can propagate it using either its stalk or its seeds, but both methods require a bit of work.

Propagating from seeds

Venus Flytraps do not self-pollinate on their own, so they require a helping hand. You can gently tap the electric toothbrush against the plant or the stalks to transfer pollen, once the flowers are in full bloom. This replicates the disturbances created by pollinators, causing the pollen to fall onto the stigma and germinate.

The seeds should be ready to germinate in about two months. Keep the soil moist and at room temperature for a few weeks. Pop them in a sunny spot and water the tray thoroughly. Place them in a well-draining tray filled with carnivorous plant soil and harvest the seeds. After some time, the flower will begin to die back, leaving behind capsules of seeds.

Propagating the flower stalk

You don’t have to allow the stems to blossom for this technique, but they do need to be fairly lengthy.

First, you will need a pot or container with plenty of drainage holes, filled with well-draining, sandy soil. Then, cut the stalk of the plant into sections that are about 3 inches long and snip it.

If the container is kept in an area with high humidity, you can also choose to place the cuttings horizontally into the pot, gently pressing them into the soil after a few short weeks. You can also cover them with a thin layer of soil. Alternatively, you can vertically place the mini stalks into the soil, with a tiny bit of soil covering them, in the next container.

Understanding Carnivorous Plants

Carnivorous Plant Outdoors
Before we look at this plant in detail, it’s important to understand a bit about carnivorous plants.

Defining them is actually quite simple. Despite their initial intimidating appearance, it is necessary for us to comprehend the nature of carnivorous plants and their functionality in order to provide an answer to the question.

What Are Carnivorous Plants?

Different types of carnivorous plants have various ways of catching and digesting small prey. Once trapped, the prey are digested by the plant to obtain essential nutrients. These carnivorous plants, like other carnivores, can catch and kill their prey, regardless of whether it is another type of prey or an insect.

Carnivorous plants are the evolutionary products resulting from difficult adaptations to mutations that appeared millions of years ago, following several difficult times of adapting to a lack of nutrients. Several studies have shown that non-carnivorous plants have mutated in different ways due to a lack of nutrients, but they were not able to catch prey and absorb nutrients like carnivorous plants. The DNA of carnivorous plants, especially in their roots and leaves, was most affected by these mutations. In order to diversify their purposes, these plants were able to duplicate their genomes and create copies with different DNA.

Bladderworts, which are modified leaves, use trap-door-like structures to capture unsuspecting prey. Some bladderworts are highly specialized and complex. These plants have also adapted and changed their environment according to several carnivorous species. The great success of these mutations caused the original genomes of the root and leaf to become redundant, leading them to disappear.

Occasionally, diminutive creatures ensnare it, along with other organisms such as Pitcher Plants, in their natural habitat. The helpless victims ensnared within these receptacle-shaped foliage are unable to escape and often perish in the water that accumulates inside these leaves as well. These plants possess modified cylindrical leaves that are smooth and adorned with minuscule strands, resembling Pitcher Plants. Others, on the other hand, are much simpler.

What About the Venus Flytrap?

Plant in Pot on Table
This plant has evolved a little differently, helping it trap prey.

The Venus Flytrap has evolved differently, with thin teeth-like growths lining the edges of its trigger hairs. These traps are modified leaves that are lined with nectar to attract insects. Their mouth-like traps display for all to see.

Once an unassuming insect touches one of these hairs, the plant traps its mouth shut with clamps. After about a week, the plant excretes digestive enzymes to eat away at the prey. Then, the plant reopens its mouth to entice more unsuspecting prey, once the insect has been eaten.

Flowering Dionaea muscipula
Yes, this plant produces flowers, completely seperate from its traps.

These flowers are completely separate traps, the trap itself is not considered a flower but can produce flowers. Venus Flytraps can live for several years and be happy and healthy plants. They are easy to care for and can keep insects at bay, making them perfect for indoor plants that can live for several years.

Reproduction and seeding are essential for these plants, just like other species that produce flowers. These mentioned plants have evolved into unique and different species by thriving in an unorthodox manner. It is not just important for their survival, but imperative.

The flowers are not very impressive. They have green veins running along their petals, and they are white. The flowers sit on stalks that are 6 inches long, so pollinators can do their job without getting eaten or trapped. Compared to other flies, they have a unique way of munching on leaves.

The white flowers transform into nodes that produce stalks over time. These stalks are cylindrical and thick and emerge from the center of the plant. They appear as new leafy traps, each distinct from the others, making it easy to spot these stalks. Throughout spring, this plant can produce several flowers.

The flower is simply a flower. Its nectar and vividly colored petals entice its prey. In terms of pollination, only a few creatures are actually effective pollinators, and only a small amount of them carry pollen. Entomologists collected prey samples from Venus Flytraps and conducted a thorough study to precisely determine this. It was discovered that these flowers do not serve as a device to attract prey for the Venus Flytrap.

Final Thoughts

When Venus Flytraps produce their white flowers and long stalks, owners can be shocked. The real showstopper is the modified leaf traps on this plant, which are known to suddenly appear. While healthy mature plants produce flowers throughout spring.

Fortunately, individuals who prefer to remove the blossoms but still desire an attractive Venus Flytrap have a wide selection to choose from. There are numerous options available, including various types of traps with varying shapes, sizes, and colors. Ultimately, the decision depends on personal preference, although the age and overall well-being of the plant play a significant role in determining how to handle the flowers.