Venus Flytrap Jaws
Venus Flytrap Jaws is a cultivar bred and selected in the United States, registered with the ICPS in 2002. Its name comes from the short, triangular teeth lining the edge of each trap, which give the half-open traps a shark-jaw-like appearance. Compared with standard Venus flytraps, Jaws tends to grow noticeably larger, well-colored traps. As a perennial, it can be propagated by division and kept growing for many years. Considered suitable for growers with some prior experience, it rewards attentive care with a close-up view of its distinctive snapping traps.
View Venus Flytrap Jaws encyclopedia →0% commission on your first sales!Register by September 30, 2026 and your first 2 plants are commission-free!
Grower Wanted!
List your plants on GrowerDirect and sell directly to customers nationwide!
6 Transparency Commitments from GrowerDirect
Every Grower listing discloses variety, origin, light requirements, and difficulty level for Carnivorous Plants. Complete transparency, guaranteed.
- Variety Disclosed
- Real Photos
- Color Information
- Origin Disclosed
- Light Requirements
- Difficulty Level
Browse all 145 varieties
Light Requirements
Difficulty Level
Verified growers wanted for Carnivorous Plants
Growers are signing up now ahead of launch. Subscribe to be notified when new listings go live.
Getting alerts is free with a member account. When new listings match your saved search, we'll notify you by email and in-app.
Browse other categories
Are you growing carnivorous plants?
Register as a grower and connect with buyers directly.
Apply as a growerVenus Flytrap Jaws key facts
- Growing Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Lifespan
- Perennial (can be kept for many years by division)
- Size
- Few published measurements (traps are large)
- Watering
- No fertilizer (catches insects)
- Light & Placement
- Full outdoor sun is best and brings out the red inside the traps. Indoors, give about 14 hours a day of white LED light.
- Watering
- Keep the pot standing in pure water, with the water level at least 5 cm below the soil surface so the crown is not waterlogged.
- Soil & Repotting
- Grows in sphagnum, peat or a 1:1 peat-sand mix. Divide and repot every year or two once the pot is full.
- Fertilizer
- Never fertilize the soil. Feeding insects or rehydrated dried bloodworms to the traps makes the plant larger.
- Dormancy Care
- Plants that face freezing winters outdoors need dormancy. Winter dieback is normal and new leaves appear in spring.
- Pests & Cautions
- Easily confused with 'Jaws Smiley'; long, twisted traps indicate that other cultivar, so check label and plant shape.
About Venus Flytrap Jaws
Venus Flytrap Jaws features shark-jaw-like traps with short, tooth-like edges. Bred and selected in the US and registered with the ICPS, it grows notably large, vivid traps and can be divided to keep for years, an intermediate-level carnivorous plant.
7 things to know before growing Venus Flytrap Jaws
1Choose a Bright Spot
Direct outdoor sun is ideal, and the more sun it gets, the redder the inside of the traps becomes. Indoors, grow it under white LEDs for about 14 hours a day. Insufficient light tends to result in paler traps.
2Water with the Tray Method
Use rainwater or distilled water rather than tap water, and stand the pot in a shallow water tray so the soil stays consistently moist. Never let the growing medium dry out completely.
3Use Nutrient-Free Soil
Sphagnum moss, or a mix of Kanuma soil and perlite, is the standard growing medium, since flytraps need soil with no added fertilizer. Ordinary potting mixes often contain fertilizer and can damage the roots.
4Repot Every 1 to 2 Years
Sphagnum moss breaks down over time, so repot roughly every one to two years to refresh the medium. Doing this during a slower growth period puts less stress on the plant.
5Winter Dormancy
Growth slows from autumn into winter as the plant enters a dormant period with smaller leaves. Water more sparingly during this time and avoid trying to trigger trapping.
6Let Traps Close Naturally
The half-open traps that give Jaws its look should not be triggered by touch just to watch them snap shut, as this drains the plants energy. It is best to let them close naturally after catching prey.
7Divide to Keep It Going
As a perennial, it produces offshoots from its rhizome as it matures. Dividing and repotting these offshoots keeps the planting vigorous and growing for years.
Frequently asked questions about Venus Flytrap Jaws
- Q.Can beginners grow Venus Flytrap Jaws
- A.It is generally considered suitable for growers with some experience rather than absolute beginners. Following the basics of light, water, and soil makes it manageable, though first-timers may want to start with easier houseplants first.
- Q.Why is it called Jaws
- A.The name comes from its short, triangular teeth along the trap edge, which make the half-open traps resemble a sharks jaw. It was bred and selected in the US and registered with the ICPS in 2002.
- Q.Does it grow better if it catches insects
- A.Catching prey is not strictly necessary for growth, since the plant also absorbs nutrients through its roots. Keeping it outdoors or in a well-ventilated spot gives it more natural chances to catch insects, which can support growth.
- Q.How is it different from a standard Venus flytrap
- A.Jaws has short, triangular teeth along the trap edges, giving its half-open traps a shark-jaw-like look. Its traps also tend to grow larger than those of standard varieties.
- Q.What should I do once the plant produces offshoots
- A.Since it is a perennial, offshoots naturally develop from the rhizome over time. Dividing them at repotting time helps refresh the plant and lets you keep growing it for years to come.
Handy Growing Tools for Venus Flytrap Jaws
Learn more about Venus Flytrap Jaws in the encyclopedia
View Venus Flytrap Jaws encyclopedia entry →
Care difficulty, size, origin and light needs — all basics covered.
More in this category
Can't find the plant you're looking for?
Post your wishes for free and growers with matching plants will contact you with introductions.