What Is Winter Dormancy in Carnivorous Plants?

• New to carnivorous plants? Winter dormancy might sound scary—but it’s totally normal (and honestly, super fascinating!). Think of it as beauty sleep for your bug-munching plants, gathering energy and recharging for the next growing season
• Some species rest while others grow year-round. In South Africa, our clear seasonal changes cue plants to wind down naturally—especially in outdoor or well-lit spots
• For us in the southern hemisphere, dormancy typically kicks off around April and with the growing season returning in spring (around September/October), when warmer temps and longer days trigger fresh growth

💡 Need personalised help? Book a 1:1 Plant Care Consultation—ideal for checking if your plant is on the right track this winter.

Outdoor vs Indoor Growing in Winter

• Temperate plants—like Venus flytraps, trumpet pitchers and temperate sundews—can stay outdoors all year round in most parts of South Africa
• Subtropical and tropical species—like Cape sundews, Nepenthes, Mexican butterworts and Albany pitchers—prefer warm days and cool (but not cold!) nights. Bring them indoors at night and back out during the day if temperatures dip below 10°C
• Not sure what you’ve got? Browse our full plant collections for more info or message us for a quick glance

What to Expect from your carnivorous plants during Winter

Venus Flytraps

• Expect the plant to shrink down with smaller ground-hugging traps. Large summer leaves will die back.
• The rhizome (underground bulb) stays alive and well—just recharging!
• Fresh traps return around September/October, with full action by November.
• Ordering in winter? You'll receive a clean, dormant rhizome ready for spring.

Trumpet Pitcher Plants

• Summer pitchers die off; flat winter leaves (phylloda) stay behind to help with photosynthesis.
• We trim and repot these into fresh soil during dormancy.
• Expect striking pitchers again by September.

Tropical Pitcher Plants (Nepenthes)

• These don’t go dormant, but they do slow down. Older pitchers wither and dry, while foliage may hang on.
• New pitchers grow on new leaves with spring warmth and longer days.

Temperate Sundews

• Temperate sundews like Drosera Binata and Filiformis completely disappear during winter. Hidden just above the soil, they form a hibernacula (winter bud).
• New dewy leaves will return during summer with the longer daylight period and warmer temps

Temperate Butterworts

• Also form hibernacula with no visible growth—don’t dig them up!

Mexican Butterworts

• Lose their sticky leaves and turn into tiny succulent rosettes around 0.5-2cm depending on the species and maturity of the plant
• Most butterworts flower in late winter. Carnivorous growth returns in October.

Albany Pitchers (Cephalotus)

• Pitchers shrink. Non-carnivorous leaves emerge first, followed by new traps in summer.

Bladderworts

• Terrestrial forms keep their green leaves. Flowers return in summer.

Quick Care Tips for Carnivorous Plants during Winter Dormancy

• Give them as much direct sunlight as possible—especially if grown indoors.
• Keep soil only just moist (never soggy). Let the surface dry slightly between watering.
• Some species like venus flytraps and trumpet pitcher plants don't mind frost or even brief freezes. However, if you you're worried, bring them indoors at night and move them back out in full sun during the day
• Repot dormant plants at the end of winter (August to mid-September) for the best spring growth using our specialty soil

🔧 Need help repotting? Book a hands-on workshop or personal consultation to get step-by-step guidance tailored to your setup

Buying Our Plants During The Winter Months

• All our photos show plants at their best—in full summer growth—unless noted otherwise.
• Between April–October, temperate plants are shipped as healthy, dormant winter bulbs with tiny traps and trimmed pitchers
• We list growth stage in every product so you’ll know exactly what to expect:
• Sep–Nov: Emerging from dormancy
• Dec–Feb: Peak growing season
• March–May: Winding down
• Jun–Aug: Full dormancy
• Winter shipping is ideal—plants travel better, shipping weight is lower so you save on fees and they settle in stress-free

 

👀 Want to See Dormant Plants in Real Life?

• Visit our outdoor show garden at Strawberry Pot Nursery (202 Hendrik Verwoerd Dr, Wierdapark, Centurion) to see what our plants look like year round. You might be surprised!
• Open Mon–Sat 8am–5pm, Sun 9am–2pm

🤓 We cover winter dormancy in more detail during our seasonal workshops & masterclasses—keep an eye on our socials or subscribe to our WhatsApp updates to join the next one!

📬 Still unsure? Email us or Whatsapp us for help deciding what’s right for you.