FlytrapCare Carnivorous Plant Forums

Say, I've been looking for silica sand. Now I'm not sure if it's the same thing or not but I've gotten listings for cat sand and started to wonder if I could use that instead of forking up money for a whole ass bag of sand just for one Venus trap (I'm a beginner).

If by cat sand you mean commercially available kitty litter, then no. Traditional litter is usually made of varieties of clay to absorb the liquids, but are not meant to remain wet. The constant wetness will degrade it and turn it to mush, it will leach minerals out, plus the deodorizing agents are probably not good for the plant.
The crystalline type of litter is generally a silica gel that might be OK, but will likely still have chemicals added that your plant won't like.

If you acquire 60 more flytraps, the price of one bag of pure silica sand will be more cost-effective per plant.

schmeg wrote: ↑Tue Jun 08, 2021 3:09 pm If you acquire 60 more flytraps, the price of one bag of pure silica sand will be more cost-effective per plant.

Great point!
For most of us, that's not very far off.

Nope, cat sand is a no go zone. If I were you I would just forget about the sand and get some perlite, it works just a well, is easier to find, and weighs a lot less.