💬 A lot of South African growers worry when their Venus flytrap suddenly looks tiny in winter. Is it a baby plant? Or is something wrong? Let’s clear this up.
Short Answer
No - your Venus flytrap isn’t a baby. It’s simply in its winter dormancy phase. Even in South Africa, flytraps shrink down and look small during the colder, shorter days. This is how they rest and save energy.
Longer Explanation
Venus flytraps (Dionaea muscipula) grow outdoors in full sun and follow the seasons. In summer, they produce tall, wide traps and lots of growth. In winter, they slow down, make much smaller traps and store energy in their underground bulb. To new growers, this can look like the plant has shrunk or is dying, but it’s completely normal.
Outdoors in South Africa, the shorter daylight hours and cooler nights are enough to trigger this rest. The plant isn’t weak - it’s just recharging. Come spring, new traps emerge from the crown and the plant wakes up bigger and stronger than before.
Growing Tip
Don’t throw your flytrap away or panic when it looks small in winter. Keep the soil just damp (not soaking wet), place it in a sunny outdoor spot and let it rest. By early spring, you’ll see new traps forming as it comes back to life.
👉 Not sure whether your plant is resting or struggling? That’s exactly what I check during my Health Check Consultations – quick sessions designed to help South African growers understand their plants and give them the best care.
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