Is My Venus Flytrap Dying or Just Waking Up?

In spring, Venus flytraps often look terrible—old traps blacken, leaves shrink, and the plant appears to be collapsing. But if the rhizome is firm and pale green-white at the base, the plant is healthy. It's simply shedding last year's growth before pushing new traps.

Flytraps need sustained warm temperatures (consistently 60s°F+) to break dormancy vigorously. This often lags behind Sarracenia and sundews, which respond to photoperiod. In North Carolina, expect strong growth by late April to May.

Don't panic. Keep the soil moist, provide full sun, and wait. New traps will emerge from the center. Your first successful dormancy is a milestone—congratulations!