Changes in carnivorous plants before winter
Some carnivorous plants, mainly from temperate zones, cooler subtropical regions, and Central America, commonly exhibit changes in appearance before winter. It is important for beginners not to be alarmed by these changes or, worse, to stop caring for their plants.
Venus Flytrap
As winter approaches, Venus flytraps gradually begin preparing for dormancy. Large upright traps slowly die off and are replaced by smaller traps, typically ground-level ones lying on the substrate. This behavior is typical for ordinary flytraps. However, collector clones show significant variation: some consistently form basal rosettes throughout the year, while others produce upright leaves year-round. In rare cases, plants may retreat entirely below the substrate, leaving no green leaves visible above the surface.
The photos depict flytraps with a noticeable portion of dead traps. Despite removing all dead traps less than a month ago (in September), the number of brown traps has increased significantly. The plants managed to thin out considerably within a short span of time, less than a month.
Winter-growing Drosera
These sundews from temperate zones survive the winter without leaves. As winter approaches, their leaves gradually die off until no green leaves remain, and a winter bud forms in the center of the plant.
The left photo shows the plant during the growing season, while the right photo shows the plant ready for dormancy, leafless and with a hibernaculum.
Winter-growing Pinguicula
These butterworts from temperate zones survive the winter without leaves. As winter approaches, their leaves gradually die off until no green leaves remain, and a winter bud forms in the center of the plant.
The photo captures a plant preparing for dormancy—most of the leaves have already died off, and a hibernaculum has formed at its center.
Sarracenia
Sarracenia, similar to Venus flytraps, prepare for winter by losing their summer carnivorous traps. Before winter, they start producing narrow winter traps while their old summer traps gradually die off. The traps dry out and turn brown; if they dry out while remaining green, this is caused by rhizome rot, not preparation for winter.
In the upper-left photo, the plant is captured during the growing season. The upper-right photo shows a plant preparing for dormancy, producing new, narrow traps. The lower-left photo depicts old, drying summer traps.
Mexican Pinguicula
Mexican butterworts are unique compared to the previously mentioned species, as they survive our winter without watering. During winter, the plant „retreats“ and begins producing non-carnivorous succulent leaves, which help it endure the winter period without any watering.
The left photo shows the plant during the growing season, while the subsequent photos depict the gradual transformation of carnivorous leaves into non-carnivorous ones.
