Appearance and growth habit

Dionaea muscipula ‘Shark’s Teeth’ is a fascinating Venus flytrap variety with distinctive traps featuring short, fused-looking teeth that give them a fierce, toothy appearance. Its compact rosette of green leaves and snapping traps make it a standout addition to any carnivorous plant collection. Those jaws may look intimidating, but this little predator is only interested in tiny prey!

Care requirements

Provide several hours of direct sunlight daily to encourage strong growth and well-coloured traps. Use nutrient-poor carnivorous plant substrate and keep it consistently moist with rainwater, distilled water or reverse osmosis water. Avoid ordinary potting soil, fertilisers and mineral-rich tap water. Venus flytraps also need a winter dormancy period to remain healthy long-term.

Troubleshooting

Blackening traps are normal as older leaves die off, but widespread blackening may indicate unsuitable water, poor lighting or growing conditions. Avoid triggering the traps for fun, as repeatedly closing them wastes the plant’s energy. Give it plenty of sunlight, suitable water and seasonal dormancy, and let it do its own hunting.

Pet and reptile safety

Venus flytraps are generally considered non-toxic to cats and dogs, although chewing on plants should still be discouraged. They are not generally known to be toxic to reptiles, but species-specific safety information is limited. The traps can catch small insects and other tiny prey, so consider the size and behaviour of any reptile sharing its enclosure before introducing this plant.