10 Venus Flytrap Winter Dormancy Tips & Tricks - Fly Trap Dormancy Simplified - Winter Is Coming!

These 10 venus flytrap dormancy tips will have you become the carnivorous plant dormancy master in no time!
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Venus flytrap dormancy can be really tricky. There is a lot of information out there and not all of it is very good. I live in an area that is pretty cold and has a short growing season, knowing dormancy is pretty important.
These 10 venus flytrap dormancy tips will give you the information you need to conquer winter dormancy like a champ. Don't stress out about this time of year for your carnivorous plants ever again, lets simplify winter dormancy for your venus flytraps!
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[@jgunther3398]

some guidelines from me would be summer: if it's growing traps it's healthy. winter: if it's not too wet it's healthy.😀

[@CarnivorousPlantsHub]

Lol, sound like solid guidelines!

[@realtachyon]

Bought my first VFT. All subscribed and liked. Thanks for your videos. 😊

[@CarnivorousPlantsHub]

Thank you!

[@alexgonzalez3857]

I just a plant as a Gift this past summer this is my first winter and I do not know what to do I hope your video helps

[@lrcraider]

Thank you. I live in Monterey County CA. These til are helpful

[@ClarenceFuchsJr]

Thanks Man This helps me out allot Dude . Much apricated

[@IM-YOUR-ENEMY]

Thx I’m now ready for dormancy

[@DJJumpdancer]

4:32 this will be my bedroom ^^ I can put them there under a grow light

[@Melaninskindeep]

Thank you 🫶🏾

[@lorenzomabalos9851]

I made an experiment. Since I am in Zone 6 in Canada, I have allowed 2 plants to go dormant outdoors by covering them with a burlap sack then covering them with pine needles, then for the 6 other plants, I uprooted them, doused them in fungicide, wrapped them in LFS, then placed them in a container with holes at the top.

[@CarnivorousPlantsHub]

I would be very interested in hearing your results, you will have to comment on this video in spring, when they are coming out of dormancy! Thank you for the experiment!

[@lorenzomabalos9851]

@@CarnivorousPlantsHub thanks! I just hope this works, since I failed dormancy last winter 😭

[@lorenzomabalos9851]

Update: I potted the ones I had using the refrigerator and all 6 survived. The ones outside covered with the burlap sack and pine needles did not. Maybe it was really just too cold. I still think that a lacking a cold frame was what went wrong, as they are pricey.

[@suzannesherman5275]

Question on the frig comments. Did you store the plants without some sort of baggie protection? How about moisture? Did you leave them in for dead sunlight for how long? i live in central Minnesota and have no other options for dormancy. Before storing in a frig at about 42F, did you introduce them slowly or just right away? Thanks, Jsherman665

[@HernánSlar]

and indoors??

[@sdfsdfsdfsdf7214]

Hey i’m from florida, why is the fridge method a last resort? This method would be perfect for me but if there are reasons i don’t understand i’m sure you have your reasoning! i was just seeing if you could explain a little further?

[@CarnivorousPlantsHub]

There is just a higher probability of crown rot and there being mold and mildew. It's still a very viable option but I recommend using an anti fungal spray.

[@Octilious11934]

What should i do after dormancy? Do i need to acclimate it? Or do i just leave it under the grow light.

[@sadforever0129]

If the plant normally lives indoors, is it okay to put it outside at night in the winter if the temperature does not get low enough inside?

[@liseroskam8841]

Hi! Last year I tried to have my fly trap spend its dormancy in the fridge, which wasn't a great success, so trying again with your tips this year ;p. I have an unheated (not insulated) utility room in my home where I'm going to try it this time (windowsill with natural light). Winters in the Netherlands (where I live) stay around the 32°F mark for an extended periods of time during December and January. It can sometimes be (below) 28°F for weeks and have a little warming up to 36°F for a few days in between. What would you recommend? Do you think I can keep the fly traps in there during the entire dormancy?

[@carlito6642]

hi! this friend of mine gave me a self watering pot that contains a venus flytrap e two other kind of carnivorous plants. am i supposed to stick it out of the soil or can i take it in there and leave it out of my south facing window during this winter?

[@BrianMartins-c6y]

Any suggestions for dormancy in NJ? It gets around 15-10s in January. Usually in the 20s. Right now it’s in 50-60. When do I get it ready for dormancy the traps are still far from the RHI. Thanks for the content :)

[@TomCrosman]

😅 Thank you. My first year with some flytraps. Had em outside until the night temps went below 32 for awhile. Have now moved them into my garage in a old large coleman cooler. On the inside top of the cooler I have mounted some lcd grow lights. During the day I crack the lid so they get some air movement, but at night when it can get very cold I close the top. I can remotely monitor the temp and humidity via a Wireless Thermometer Hygrometer. Temps stay between low 40s to upper 50s so far. Hoping I good success. Have reduced water but should probably reduce it some more. Will look into a fungicide. Thanks for the video.

[@CarnivorousPlantsHub]

Hey Tom, I think Fungicide might be a good idea, since they are enclosed at night time. Sometimes we have to get a little creative on our dormancy efforts, especially when it gets below freezing frequently! Nice work!

[@TomCrosman]

@@CarnivorousPlantsHub I agree. I started looking at fungicide online right after viewing your video.

[@Moving03fwd]

Just bought a small plant for the kids. Do we feed them while in dormancy? If so what do we feed it?

[@jasony724]

Maybe I miss it, but do you still water during dormancy if you’re going from 70 to 30 day and night method?

[@CarnivorousPlantsHub]

I do still water, but it's pulled back a ton. I now allow the tray to dry up several days before I water again. I've lost plants to rot when I keep the water trays full all winter. The peat holds the water for a long time. You can stick your finger in the substrate to see if it's wet. Don't ever let the plant dry out, as soon as the top starts to feel close to dry, add more water

[@MrSonoru]

With regards to overwintering, I live in Ukraine and winter temps can be between 0F and 32F, rather large range. I don't have a cold frame, but I could use a plastic container large enough and insulate. Do you think this would work for my VFTs and Sarrs this winter?

[@S0LAAARRRRR]

tysmmmmmm without this my plant would have died! its my first time and i rescued it cause it was like plant abuse cause they just put them in a huge pot of cold water drowning them so im taking care of them now

I’d recommend you remove the pebbles from the pots. Some can leach minerals in the soil, and even though there may be some exceptions, it’s generally not recommended. 🙂

[@CarnivorousPlantsHub]

I'm definitely well aware of leaching. I only use rocks that are inert and only add them once they have rinsed for several days and I get a 0 reading on my TDS meter. If they don't leach enough into the water after a few days of soaking to read on the tds meter then the amount they will leach over time will be absolutely insignificant.

[@grahamherbert3612]

Pebbles infected my traps with both Monkeypox and Fully Blown Aids.

[@JurassicJoey17]

This guy knows what he’s doing…. He wouldn’t make such an easy mistake.

[@aliencultivations3635]

I lost one to wrote during summer from pure sphagnum potting. I live in Southern California zone 10b day are ranging fr 60-70°f nights are 40-50°f and getting colder. Daylight is around 5 hrs. Do you think this is suitable conditions or should i do the fridge method?

[@CarnivorousPlantsHub]

I think the conditions are probably okay, the biggest factor there is going to be light. Make sure they continue to get reduced light. 5 hours is probably good. they won't go truly dormant in those conditions, they will continue to grow a little bit. But a reduced photo period should be enough to give them a smaller dormancy. The plants should acclimate to the conditions if consistent.

[@dkdroid44]

I live in NJ and just bought a venus fly trap. I have a bathroom that is cold and I can keep dark. Is that the best place for me to put it this winter?

[@reginawoods9820]

I’m in central Alabama and thinking it would be ok to leave my Venus Fly Traps outside all year, unless we have a hard freeze. What do you think? Very informative video. Thanks!

[@JoJoJohnston]

Thank you sir! May I ask where your located? I just got one and not quite sure what to do in South Mississippi. I'm originally from Ohio.

[@CarnivorousPlantsHub]

I'm from North Idaho.

[@EmmaMuncy]

Um I’d like some advice for dormancy during extreme cold it very cold and very very windy where I live and winter lasts about 7 months so I don’t know the best method for my trap. If you can give me some advice I’d appreciate it

[@stan9806]

Hey there my Venus fly trap is currently in dormancy but it’s growing long straggly traps that don’t turn into a trap can you help me ? And my water is below 60 ppm is that safe

[@CarnivorousPlantsHub]

They do slow and almost stop growing during dormancy, so slower growth is normal. Under 60 ppm is probably okay, but it's right at my cut off. You will probably have to repot once a year.

[@marioortiz7264]

Thxs a lot man !!! I appreciate the video. For me since I have them in deeper pots I’ve watered way less. And my plants are still growing but very slowly. And I’ve just had them outside. Thanks to you mainly. I’ve had some traps die off but very slowly and seen smaller traps form slow as well this is a sign of dormancy right?

[@CarnivorousPlantsHub]

Thats the most likely reason yes. As there less light and temps go down, growth starts to slow!

[@Jesus-eg3yb]

Old friend! Great video and thank you always for the continued education in the carnivorous plant topic.

[@CarnivorousPlantsHub]

Hello friend! Always glad to hear from you. Hope all is well!

[@WatchMeGrow1]

Nice one !! 👍🏾 I have a D. Intermedia and D. Binat, do they need dormancy? I'm in zone 8a can I just leave them out side and move them in to the garage when it gets bellow freezing?

[@discosage]

Intermedia does not, binata does

[@discosage]

And yes on keeping them out/moving

[@WatchMeGrow1]

@@discosage thanks for the reply!! Will move my intermedia to my heated greenhouse. Now for the moving I don't understand..

[@gamingwithkeyan]

Is California carnivorous only for people in California? Or can people get it in different states

[@CarnivorousPlantsHub]

They ship in the US! Usually comes quick. I get plants from them and I'm in Idaho. They always come in great shape.

[@gamingwithkeyan]

@@CarnivorousPlantsHub thank you

[@tgot1627]

My flytraps traps have all closed for some reason, no bugs and nobody touched them. is this a sign of dormancy or something else? Also something broke a couple of the heads off the leaves, will it be okay? Been really worried about this and haven’t found anything on it

[@CarnivorousPlantsHub]

Do you have a cat? Is your plant outside or inside? Traps do not shut because of dormancy. IF something ripped some traps off, then it's likely whatever did that is also responsible for messing with the other traps and closing them as well. Cats are notorious for playing with flytraps because they are kind of bouncy when cats swat them. Its like a toy for them. If not a cat and your plant is outside, squirrels are also notorious for messing with flytraps and damaging.

[@tgot1627]

@@CarnivorousPlantsHub yeah I keep my plant outside. We do have cats running around a lot but none that I own. It is probably a squirrel I’ve seen one in the tree out front recently. Last thing, do the traps have less energy in dormancy because it’s been like a week and they haven’t opened yet.

[@HaloHighlightz]

Forgive me if this was mentioned - should I feed it prior to dormancy? My first VFT and the heads are still pretty small and green.

[@CarnivorousPlantsHub]

You definitely can feed it prior to dormancy!

Im still so trash at this, I don’t know if I can do this.

[@Wulfenite295]

I noticed you didn’t mention the fridge method for those who don’t have a temperature controlled garage or a place that’s just right for the plants to go dormant.

[@CarnivorousPlantsHub]

Hello Tolan, I did mention refrigerator method, it was in with "warmer climates" tip. I mention to only use it as a last resort, but it is an option!

[@Wulfenite295]

@@CarnivorousPlantsHub ok sorry

[@deoodolecki2979]

What about if the plant was recently transplanted? I just bought two and the nursery put them in the next size pot for me. Should i wait a few weeks before forcing dormancy? Its november in ohio so its about to get cold in this bitch. Even inside!

[@bigtomatoplantslover6205]

Wow beautiful Plants ^^ Include Like 117 , I leave 3 presents. Have a good relationship. My friend, always stay Connected~~

[@CarnivorousPlantsHub]

Thank you!

[@Dubs17]

Hi, I put my flytrap outside after being told by someone on a forum that it’s be safe to do based on my situation (zone etc.). It was about -3 C at the time or so. The plant ended up going a dark green and even slightly translucent within a day. I brought it inside again and it has quite rapidly been turning black. It used to look extremely healthy and now looks horrible. Will it recover?? Normally it stays outside but as it started to get colder I brought it inside for a good few weeks. The traps started going quite low to the ground. Then I put it outside after this. I was hoping it had already gone dormant. Man this sucks so much. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[@CarnivorousPlantsHub]

Assuming the inside of your home is probably around 70 degrees F, it went from 70 ish straight down to 37 degrees. I think your flytrap was shocked and it may have killed it. Flytraps can survive in 37 degrees no problem, but they need to acclimate to that temp. If outside all the time, they get used to the lower temperatures gradually rather than going from warm to almost freezing. They should have advised you to acclimate it a couple hours the first day, then every day, add another hour until it's outside full time. Venus flytraps are really sensitive to extreme changes in temperatures. They like to be gradually introduced to new situations.

[@Dubs17]

@@CarnivorousPlantsHub this was exactly my worry but this guy on the forum said there’d be no need. I’m a relatively new grower and this guy seemingly had a lot more experience than me so I decided to just put my worries aside and trust him. Man this sucks. So what odds would you say the plant is still alive and will bounce back vs actually being dead / dying (and if it is dying, is there anything I could do to turn the ship around???)? One thing to note, my plant has at least two extra divisions that I haven’t separated. One of them is very very tiny and when I look at it’s baby traps coming through the soil they look good as new still. I’m hoping this means that, if worst comes to worst and my main plant has died, that my little one is still ok at least?

[@scottshaffer7296]

I have mine wrapped in pool noodles in a 5 gallon bucket with holes drilled in the bottom and the lid

[@CarnivorousPlantsHub]

Very creative! That should insulate well!

[@RoadRunner1980]

My antivirus was triggered while visiting your website.

[@CarnivorousPlantsHub]

I'm actually working with my host right now to figure out what's going on with my website.

[@HelgrafFireHammer]

I'm terribly confused with my own flytrap It's showing signs of both dormancy and light deficiency at the same time. I posted to Facebook, Discord and FlytrapCare forums, in all 3 the community was divided between "it's dying" and "its going dormant" Even the rhizome itself, it's still white but slightly more dark than usual and still very firm. Probably even more so than during summer. The traps are taking a week or even more to die, and the progress is very slow with trap death. I'm genuinely at a loss with mine and I don't know what he's doing lol

[@HelgrafFireHammer]

Oh yeah, and new trap growth has halted all together. Nothing is growing in any more lol

[@CarnivorousPlantsHub]

What are the current conditions for your flytrap. Temperatures (day and night), how much light, what is the light source? This might help me determine if there is a problem. 0 growth can be a problem if your temperatures are above 45 degrees F. There should still be a little growth, very slow depending on temps, but there should be some.

[@HelgrafFireHammer]

@@CarnivorousPlantsHub right now it's on an unheated open windowsill during the day and in my basement at night. Daytime Temps are about 35°F and nighttime are about 21°F. I checked the rhizome, maybe last week, and it was still white and firm thankfully. Something I also wanna add, when the temperatures started dropping all the traps closed, to varying degrees. Some nearly entirely, others are still decently open. Man, if only Facebook allowed photos LOL

[@CarnivorousPlantsHub]

21 degrees is pretty low for them to be in consistently. That might be just a bit too cold. I'm not sure if the flytrap itself is exposed to that cold since you said it's in your basement. I would shoot for nothing lower than 35 degrees during the night, it's okay for it to go back in the 50s 60s during the day as long as it's staying around 40 or so at night. It might be just a bit too cold for it.

[@asmrtpop2676]

I just can’t crack a window open, it’s such a security risk and could result in one of my very precocious cats getting out 😅 Just a reminder for anyone who might overlook that! (And no, screens don’t keep determined creatures or people out).

[@Παρις-ι6κ]

Guys i poured water on the like button like he said and now my phone doesnt work.

[@CarnivorousPlantsHub]

Lol, next thing you know I'm going to have to put a warning at the bottom stating "Don't actually pour water on your phone".

[@brandonhorwath6351]

How did you leave the comment?...😅

[@UTTMs-channel]

Did anyone see the hen 😂

[@aliencultivations3635]

Do you have an Instagram?

[@CarnivorousPlantsHub]

I do, same name, Carnivorous Plants Hub. I need to give it more attention though.

[@Man-w1]

What will happen if my Venus flytrap dont get dormancy

[@CarnivorousPlantsHub]

Most people beleive that they will last a couple years but would likely die slowly without a normal dormancy.