Why Venus Flytraps Reopen After Feeding Dead Insects

Question: My three flytraps (Dante, Venus, Red Dragon) stopped eating. Red Dragon hasn't eaten in a month. They're outside in full sun (95–100°F), in distilled water. Traps die but are replaced. I feed live flies. The other two seem fine.

Answer

Hi Kevin,

Could you send pictures? Overall health matters more than feeding frequency. Good color, new traps, and quick trap closure indicate health. Insects are fertilizer—not a frequent need. We never feed at the nursery; they catch plenty.

Follow-up: Plants have good color, rigid traps, and new growth. My 7-year-old loves feeding them several times a week. Traps close but reopen next day. We'll cut back to monthly.

Answer

That explains it! Traps reopen quickly because dead flies don't struggle. Venus flytraps finish closure and start digestion only when prey thrashes. A couple bugs monthly is fine. Surprised they haven't caught their own outdoors.

Good Growing!
Jeff Dallas
Sarracenia Northwest
www.cobraplant.com