💬 Let’s clear this up once and for all – do Venus flytraps in South Africa actually need feeding, or can they catch enough on their own?
Short Answer:
No - if your Venus flytrap is grown outdoors in South Africa, it will catch its own food. These bug-munching plants don’t need hand-feeding. Growing them indoors is not recommended, as they won’t get enough sunlight, prey, or seasonal cues.
Longer Explanation:
Venus flytraps are adapted to live in full sun, fresh air and nutrient-poor bog soils. We're blessed with tons of free (flytrap) food in South Africa. If grown outdoors, they naturally attract flies, beetles, ants and spiders. You don’t need to feed them yourself - in fact, hand-feeding too often can wear out the traps.
When kept indoors, the plant misses the essential dormancy triggers it needs, like cooler temperatures and shorter daylight. As a result, it will either never truly go dormant or stay in a weak semi-dormant state because of insufficient sunlight. Over time, this drains its energy and weakens the entire plant.
Growing Tip:
Grow your Venus flytrap in a sunny outdoor spot such as a garden table, balcony, or patio. There, it will thrive naturally and reward you with strong, colourful traps during the South African summer.
👉 Looking for Venus flytraps for sale in South Africa? Explore our full range online at Cultivo Carnivores - pre-potted and acclimatised for local conditions.
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