Winter Dormancy – The Great Plant Snooze
Unlike the fairy tale, there’s no Sleeping Beauty here. Winter dormancy is messy, scraggly, and, if you’re new to carnivorous plants – slightly terrifying. Your gorgeous traps and pitchers start turning black, leaves shrivel up, and some plants look… well, dead. 😱
This is the point where many people panic, toss their plants, and say “I just can’t grow carnivorous plants—I keep killing them.” But here’s the truth: your plant isn’t dead, it’s just taking its well-earned winter nap.
So What Is Winter Dormancy?
Think of it as hibernation, like bears. When the days get shorter and colder, many carnivorous plants slow everything down, conserve energy, and tuck themselves in until spring. Growth stops, leaves die back, and things look bleak, but under the soil, the crown and roots are very much alive and resting.
This only applies to certain types: Venus Flytraps, Sarracenia and some Sundews. Others (like Nepenthes and Heliamphora) don’t go dormant at all, so don’t try to “force” them to snooze. Although growth may slow, they will continue to grow, just protect them from extreme cold and frost.
Why Is Winter Dormancy Important?
- Energy conservation: Less sun = less energy. Dormancy lets the plant survive the winter on reserves.
- Healthy life cycle: Like we need sleep to recharge, dormancy lets your plant reset for strong spring growth.
- Survival strategy: It’s how these plants evolved to cope with cold winters and a lack of prey.
What Dormancy Looks Like:
- Flytraps: Traps blacken, shrink, and hug the ground.
- Pitchers (Sarracenia): Tops go brown and crispy from the tip down.
- Filiformis sundews: Look like a bundle of dried twigs—but don’t you dare throw them away!
Caring for Dormant Plants:
- Temperature: Cool is key – ideally 1.5°C to 15°C. Light frosts are fine but bring them in during prolonged hard freezes.
- Light: Shorter, weaker light is fine – it matches nature. If indoors, reduce artificial lighting.
- Watering: Ease off. Keep soil just damp, not waterlogged. Let trays dry out for a few days before refilling (and fill shallower than in summer).
- Feeding: Nope! They don’t have the energy to digest food in dormancy, and extra feeding can cause rot.
The Magic of Spring!
Yes, it’s hard watching your pride and joy look half-dead for months. But the pay-off? Pure magic. One day you’ll spot a tiny green nose poking through the soil, and I promise, you’ll squeal with excitement. I still do, every single year. That moment makes the whole winter wait worthwhile. 🌱✨
