How to Handle a Venus Flytrap in Winter Months

Venus flytraps are a fun plant to care for. In their natural environment of hot and humid summers, Venus flytraps thrive. In the winter in their natural environment, Venus flytraps naturally go through a period of dieback or dormancy due to colder weather. If you don't live in an environment like the Carolinas, you may need to help the flytrap go into dormancy during the winter months.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Watch your plant as it starts to get a little colder outside. When you start to see dead leaves, your Venus flytrap is ready to go into dormancy. Bring it inside, unless you have winters that don't drop below 30 or 40 degrees F.

2. Trim back any dead leaves using small pruning sheers.

3. Place your Venus flytrap in the fridge if you live in a hot climate or keep your house very warm. Take it out of the pot if you don't have room in your fridge for the pot and place into a plastic bag with soil. Fold over the plastic bag to lock in humidity.

4. Put the Venus flytrap in your basement or on a window, if your house isn't so warm you need to put it into the fridge, so your plant receives some sunlight.

5. Cover your plant with black plastic or a tarp if you can't bring your plant inside and the temperature drops below freezing, to prevent frost burn.

Tips & Warnings

• Your Venus flytrap will need about three to four months of dormancy.
• Avoid letting the soil in your Venus flytrap dry out during the winter or your plant will die.