The lavish abundance of nature has produced some extraordinary plants. The carnivores are undoubtedly one of them. Granted, they don't always look impressive on the outside. But there is one thing they are different from all other plants: They like meat! Do they tick so weird about other things? For example, when winter approaches: Do you need a digestive sleep? Or even a vegan diet?
When it comes to wintering, it is therefore not possible to make a generalized statement. Not all carnivorous plants need a rest in winter and in terms of winter hardiness they differ widely. You should therefore clarify which original area your carnivorous plant comes from and which genus it belongs to. This is usually the basis for your demands in the cold season. If in doubt, they should be overwintered and protected from frost. The common species that we cultivate are described in more detail below with regard to their winter requirements.
She is the undisputed star among the carnivores. Your catch leaves snap shut in seconds, and the insect is trapped. A spectacle that apparently fascinates many people because there is great demand for it. Their homeland is in the USA, North and South Carolina and Florida, where they have different climatic conditions than in northern and central Europe. In its homeland it grows in the wild, here it is kept as a potted plant.
Note: Young plants should not hibernate for the first two years
Minimal basic care needs to be maintained during their resting phase. During this time it does not need any fertilizer and only little water. Moderate watering can be used every two to three weeks. Waterlogging should never develop. The coaster must be emptied promptly if irrigation water has collected in it.
Note: When it comes to winter dormancy, some plants form so-called. Phyllodes. These non-carnivorous leaves look like compressed tubes.
Around 100 species of pitcher plants grow in New Guinea, Malaysia and the Philippines. Nepenthes. We mainly use different hybrid varieties as indoor plants. In winter they stop blooming and growing.
Grassy water hose (Utricularia graminifolia)
It can be found outside of its ancestral home, especially in aquariums. This carnivorous plant can also hibernate in it without special precautions or special care. As a marsh plant, however, it must be protected in winter because it is not hardy. The easiest way to do this is to move to an aquarium before the first frosts and spend the winter there. As soon as no more frost is expected, she can go back into the garden pond.
Common water hose (Utricularia vulgaris)
This type of water hose floats freely in the garden pond. Thanks to its good winter hardiness, the plant can overwinter directly in the pond. In autumn it simply rolls up into a ball and sinks to the bottom of the pond. After the hibernation, the plant simply unrolls again and sprouts again. This is also called a gardener-friendly overwintering.
Species of this genus are numerous in number and native to South Africa, South America and Australia. There are both hardy and non-hardy varieties of the Droserea.
Note: If the water in the bog bed completely freezes, the plant can no longer absorb water and would dry up. Make sure that this situation does not occur.
Not all species of subtropical sundew require a colder environment in winter. Some species can easily be overwintered at normal room temperature. Including the popular varieties Drosera aliciae and Drosera capensis. However, in the darker months of the year they need a plant lamp that gives them additional light. If they are too dark, their resistance decreases and gray mold can be the undesirable consequence.
Note: If the reddish leaves of the sundew turn green, this is a sign of a lack of light.
Tropical sundew
Tropical sundew species need warm temperatures, lots of brightness and direct sunlight all year round. A humidity of at least 50 percent should be. In order for them to thrive, they still need a break. They survive the winter best at 15 to 18 degrees Celsius. It can still be bright. Only water with low-lime water, a little less in winter.
Dwarf sundew
A terrarium with high humidity is ideal for these mini plants. It should get as much sun as possible. In winter it gets along well with a temperature of 12 to 15 degrees Celsius. During this time, it needs less water.
Species and climatic origin
Carnivorous plants, also known as carnivores, carnivores or insectivores, come in numerous species and varieties. They are not all directly related to one another, rather they can be found within other plant orders. Their distribution extends over several continents and touches different climatic zones. They also differ in their demands on living conditions and care requirements.When it comes to wintering, it is therefore not possible to make a generalized statement. Not all carnivorous plants need a rest in winter and in terms of winter hardiness they differ widely. You should therefore clarify which original area your carnivorous plant comes from and which genus it belongs to. This is usually the basis for your demands in the cold season. If in doubt, they should be overwintered and protected from frost. The common species that we cultivate are described in more detail below with regard to their winter requirements.
Venus flytrap
She is the undisputed star among the carnivores. Your catch leaves snap shut in seconds, and the insect is trapped. A spectacle that apparently fascinates many people because there is great demand for it. Their homeland is in the USA, North and South Carolina and Florida, where they have different climatic conditions than in northern and central Europe. In its homeland it grows in the wild, here it is kept as a potted plant. Need for rest
The Venus flytrap is only partially hardy, so a longer break begins for it in autumn. In order to recognize when she needs rest, it is not necessary to look at the calendar, the Venus flytrap itself gives clear signs.- it forms very small leaves
- she does not open her leaves
- the inside of the leaves no longer turns red
Note: Young plants should not hibernate for the first two years
Winter quarters
These carnivores make certain demands on optimal winter quarters. It should have the following properties:- no large fluctuations in room temperature
- constant temperatures of 5 to 10 degrees Celsius
- very bright
- free from drafts
- Basement rooms with large windows that let in plenty of light
- light-flooded attics
- unheated stairwells
Winter care
Minimal basic care needs to be maintained during their resting phase. During this time it does not need any fertilizer and only little water. Moderate watering can be used every two to three weeks. Waterlogging should never develop. The coaster must be emptied promptly if irrigation water has collected in it. Winter in the refrigerator
If there is no suitable winter accommodation that meets all of the aforementioned conditions, the refrigerator is the last alternative. You don't have to clear out your refrigerator for this, a little space will suffice.1. Get the plant out of the pot.
2. Remove the leaves and traps.
3. Completely rid the roots of the substrate.
4. Rinse the root ball with lukewarm water.
5. Moisten several layers of kitchen paper and wrap it around the root ball.
6. Then put the wrapped bale in a moist transparent bag.
7. Close the bag with a tape.
8. Put the bag in the refrigerator.
9. The plant can leave its winter quarters in April.
10. Check the roots for rot and remove diseased parts.
11. Plant the Venus Flytrap again.
Tip: During this time, take special care not to have any moldy food in the refrigerator.Overwinter outdoors
If your Venus flytrap is growing right in the garden, consider hibernating outdoors. It is important that the plant is not too young and that it is vigorous. But it absolutely needs winter protection and should be covered. But even the best protection is no guarantee of survival, especially in very cold winters.Pitcher plants
Pitcher plants, also called trumpet plants, also come from the USA. The red pitcher plant is a popular variety, it is considered robust and hardy. There are also other pitcher plant species that are not or only partially winter hardy, such as the brown-red or white pitcher plant.Need for rest
The winter dormancy period for pitcher plants, botanically Sarracenia, begins in autumn. Only young plants do not need a break in the first three years. We cultivate non-hardy pitcher plants in pots. They are sensitive to frost, because the root ball can freeze to death more quickly in the pot.Note: When it comes to winter dormancy, some plants form so-called. Phyllodes. These non-carnivorous leaves look like compressed tubes.
Winter quarters and care
The ideal wintering quarters for pitcher plants in pots is light and with 2 to 10 degrees also cold. You do not need any fertilizers and water should also be used for stinging. The worst enemies in winter quarters are mold and rot. Conditionally hardy varieties can withstand light frosts outdoors. If it gets too cold, they have to move to sheltered winter quarters.Pitcher plants
Around 100 species of pitcher plants grow in New Guinea, Malaysia and the Philippines. Nepenthes. We mainly use different hybrid varieties as indoor plants. In winter they stop blooming and growing.- Lowland pitcher plants need 20 to 30 degrees Celsius all year round, day and night
- Highland pitcher plants can stand at 10 to 16 degrees Celsius at night.
- need a lot of brightness
- hang up plant lamp in winter
- do not give fertilizer
- less water required than in summer
Water hoses
Water hoses catch their prey in hose-like traps, hence their name. South America and Australia are their main distribution area. There they are used to a hot climate and, in their vegetation phase, also to abundant water.Grassy water hose (Utricularia graminifolia)
It can be found outside of its ancestral home, especially in aquariums. This carnivorous plant can also hibernate in it without special precautions or special care. As a marsh plant, however, it must be protected in winter because it is not hardy. The easiest way to do this is to move to an aquarium before the first frosts and spend the winter there. As soon as no more frost is expected, she can go back into the garden pond.
Common water hose (Utricularia vulgaris)
This type of water hose floats freely in the garden pond. Thanks to its good winter hardiness, the plant can overwinter directly in the pond. In autumn it simply rolls up into a ball and sinks to the bottom of the pond. After the hibernation, the plant simply unrolls again and sprouts again. This is also called a gardener-friendly overwintering.
Shot plants
They also come from far away, because Australia is their natural home. Although they do not hibernate, they require less care in winter than in summer.- if the temperature outside falls below 10 degrees Celsius, they have to go inside
- the winter location must be bright
- the water requirement is low
Sundew
Species of this genus are numerous in number and native to South Africa, South America and Australia. There are both hardy and non-hardy varieties of the Droserea. Tempered species
These species are hardy and also common in Europe. They grow in bog beds and in the field. They need a hibernation, but hardly require any assistance from the owner. The plant pulls it back and forms a so-called. Hibernation bud. As soon as it is warm enough for her in spring, she will sprout again.Note: If the water in the bog bed completely freezes, the plant can no longer absorb water and would dry up. Make sure that this situation does not occur.
Subtropical species
Subtropical sundew species are extremely easy to cultivate, which is why this species is often found in our house as a house plant. In their homeland they have warm summers and cooler winters. In summer they can therefore stand outside with us, but have to hibernate at room temperature because our winter is far too cold for them.- must overwinter frost-free
- Room temperature between 15 and 18 degrees Celsius
- Location with a lot of light
- no fertilizer and less water
Not all species of subtropical sundew require a colder environment in winter. Some species can easily be overwintered at normal room temperature. Including the popular varieties Drosera aliciae and Drosera capensis. However, in the darker months of the year they need a plant lamp that gives them additional light. If they are too dark, their resistance decreases and gray mold can be the undesirable consequence.Note: If the reddish leaves of the sundew turn green, this is a sign of a lack of light.
Tropical sundew
Tropical sundew species need warm temperatures, lots of brightness and direct sunlight all year round. A humidity of at least 50 percent should be. In order for them to thrive, they still need a break. They survive the winter best at 15 to 18 degrees Celsius. It can still be bright. Only water with low-lime water, a little less in winter.
Dwarf sundew
A terrarium with high humidity is ideal for these mini plants. It should get as much sun as possible. In winter it gets along well with a temperature of 12 to 15 degrees Celsius. During this time, it needs less water.