Also known as Venus Flytrap · 12 gardener saves
Dionaea: the varieties gardeners actually grow
Dionaea, the genus most gardeners know as venus flytrap. We track 3 varieties; these are the ones gardeners actually save and plant, ranked by real saves rather than catalog marketing. Each links to full care, bloom, and live price data.
The 3 most-saved Dionaea varieties
Of 3 in the catalog — ordered by how many gardeners actually grow them.
#1 most savedAkai Ryu Venus Flytrap
Dionaea muscipula 'Akai Ryu'
#2 most savedVenus Flytrap
Dionaea muscipula
#3 most savedKing Henry Venus Flytrap
Dionaea muscipula 'King Henry'
How to grow Dionaea
What the Dionaea varieties in our catalog actually agree on — drawn from the care records of the 3 most-grown of them, not from a generic template.
The Dionaea year
- PruneMarch, May and June100% of varieties
Remove old, black, dead traps and foliage after winter dormancy ends.
- Winter PrepJanuary, October and November100% of varieties
Ensure the plant experiences a cold dormancy (35-50°F) for 3-5 months; keep soil slightly moist.
- FertilizeMarch–August67% of varieties
Never fertilize the soil; the plant gets nutrients from captured insects.
Do
- Monitor for pests regularly
- Maintain high humidity around the plant 🌱
- Provide bright, direct sunlight daily ☀️
- Use pure distilled or rainwater for watering 💧
- Keep soil moist but well-drained to avoid root rot
Avoid
- Avoid using tap water with high mineral content ❌
- Do not overfeed with fertilizers or nutrients ❌
- Never expose to freezing temperatures ❌
- Avoid sudden movements or disturbance during dormancy
What goes wrong with Dionaea
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Aphids | Sticky residue on leaves, distorted growth | Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil |
| Spider Mites | Fine webbing on plant, speckled leaves | Increase humidity and apply neem oil |
| Mealybugs | White cottony masses on leaves | Remove manually or treat with neem oil |
| Spider mites | Fine webbing and speckled leaves | Increase humidity and apply insecticidal soap |
| Fungal rot | Soft, brown, and mushy leaves | Improve air circulation and reduce watering |
| Fungal Root Rot | Wilting and browning roots | Reduce watering frequency and improve drainage |
Making more Dionaea
Division
- Gently remove the plant from soil after dormancy.
- Separate healthy traps with roots using sterilized tools.
- Plant divisions in fresh, moist sphagnum moss.
- Keep in shaded, humid environment for 4 weeks.
Seed Propagation
- Sow seeds on moist sphagnum moss in early spring.
- Cover lightly with fine sand or moss.
- Maintain high humidity and indirect light.
- Germination occurs in 2-4 weeks, with patience.
Dionaea questions
How many types of Dionaea are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 3 distinct Dionaea varieties. The most popular — ranked by 12 real gardener saves — are shown first above.
What zones does Dionaea grow in?
Across its varieties, Dionaea covers USDA Zones 6–10. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Dionaea bloom?
Most Dionaea varieties bloom in early summer, late spring. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Dionaea should I choose?
Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.
Keep exploring
Dionaea shows up in
By hardiness zone
Design with Dionaea in your own yard
Snap a photo of your space and see these varieties planted in it — sized correctly, matched to your zone, with care reminders included.
