Venus Flytrap

Question

Good afternoon! I have been researching Venus flytrap care and came across your email. My coworker gave a Venus flytrap last week as a gift and I have always wanted one, I am not good with maintaining plants and really want to see this flytrap grow and flourish. I plan on repotting it because the pot it came in is not sufficient (the flytrap was from Lowe’s). My question is I am unsure if my plant is in dormancy or if not if I should put it into dormancy since it is still winter here in Virginia? I have been researching a lot but keep running into conflicting information. Some say to keep the plant in constant water like the tray method, others say to top water it and keep it damp when dormant. The information I read says to still keep the flytrap in 12 hours of light, I plan on keeping it in the window of my unfinished basement since it’s cool down there but was planning to get an artificial LED light 6000K, but I want to make sure I should put it under artificial light for 12 hours in dormancy so that I do not kill it. Also, I know you shouldn’t feed during dormancy, but does it mean anything if some of my flytraps are open, and others are closed? I was thinking maybe the end of March to start taking it out of dormancy and gradually introducing it to light, is this correct and if so, how many hours of light do you start the plant out with and when do you know to start feeding it again? Thank you so much!!

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Answer 1

Your plant is not dormant. Growing it indoors it doesn't have to go dormant. It needs lots of light, preferably with white LED lights. A windowsill will not be enough light. These articles from the carnivorous plant society should help:

https://www.carnivorousplants.org/grow/guides/DionaeaChecklist

https://www.carnivorousplants.org/grow/guides/Dionaea

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/venus-fly-trap/venus-fly-trap-care.htm