Man Orders Venus Flytrap, Unprepared for What He Ends Up With: ‘Help’

What was supposed to be a simple online plant order turned into a botanical mystery—and now internet users are on the case.

A man ordered a “Venus flytrap” from an overseas seller, only to receive a plant that looked nothing like the carnivorous species he expected. His girlfriend has since turned to Reddit for help identifying the mystery flora.

The Reddit user, u/queenmarimeoww, posted a photo of the unusual plant to the subreddit r/whatisthisplant. The image shows a leafy green base with a single tall stalk topped by a fluffy, bright pink bloom.

“Seriously, please help. I’m in Tampa Bay and she’s doing wonderful honestly,” the girlfriend wrote. The post has since gone viral, drawing over 19,000 upvotes and sparking a lively discussion.

What a Venus Flytrap Should Look Like

The real Venus flytrap (Dionaea muscipula) is a small carnivorous plant native to subtropical wetlands on the East Coast of the United States.

It is known for its jaw-like leaves that snap shut on unsuspecting insects. The Royal Horticultural Society in the U.K. says that Venus flytraps require specific care, including acidic soil, high humidity, and plenty of sunlight. They thrive in pots with rainwater or distilled water and do best when left undisturbed in a humid environment, ideally under a transparent cover to trap moisture.

Reddit to the Rescue

Fortunately, plant enthusiasts quickly chimed in to identify the impostor. “Celosia, this one has a crested flower, so could end up as a cockscomb,” one Reddit user said.

Celosia is a genus of flowering plants prized for their vibrant, feathery blooms and heat tolerance. As Gardeners’ World notes, they thrive in full sun and well-drained soil, making them popular choices for summer beds and containers.

More specifically, the crested variety—commonly referred to as cockscomb—produces blooms that resemble a rooster’s comb.

Another user added a pop-culture spin, writing: “Little shop of horrors is what Op [the original poster] has going on. whether he knows it or not”—referencing the cult film and musical Little Shop of Horrors, in which a man raises a carnivorous alien plant that develops a taste for human flesh.

Others, meanwhile, offered more practical advice. “I’ll put my remark here as it sort of ties in: OP, if your boyfriend does want to grow Venus flytraps, they won’t grow well in a patio container. They need very high humidity and specific soil. Most likely they will need a pot specific for them, with the correct soil and moisture parameters, and a dome to cover it to trap the humidity,” wrote one commenter.

A Warning on Seed Imports

The mishap also sparked a wave of warnings about ordering seeds from unregulated overseas sellers. “Buying seeds from overseas can very easily turn you into an ecoterrorist. Never do this,” one user wrote.

Importing plants or seeds from overseas can introduce invasive pests and plant diseases that threaten local agriculture and ecosystems. U.S. authorities have intercepted thousands of unauthorized plant shipments that failed to meet entry requirements, many of which could have posed serious biosecurity risks. Buyers are advised always to check for permits and comply with USDA guidelines when sourcing seeds internationally.

Newsweek reached out to u/queenmarimeoww for comment via Reddit. We could not verify the details of the case.

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