Tropical and Mexican Butterworts – Succulent Phase (Dormancy)
Many tropical and Mexican butterworts experience a succulent phase, or what is often referred to as a dormancy period, hibernation, or winter rosette phase.
One thing to clarify up front is that the succulent phase isn’t a true dormancy or hibernation because the plants are still growing new leaves and many also flower during this time. So for consistency, we will use the term succulent phase, but know that these other terms are all referring to the same ideas below.
Identifying the succulent phase
The succulent phase of tropical and Mexican butterworts is characterized by smaller, thicker leaves compared to the larger, thinner leaves of plants in the carnivorous phase. Often leaves during this phase will have little to no dew.
Pinguicula cyclosecta
Succulent phase
Carnivorous phase
Pinguicula colimensis
Succulent phase
Carnivorous phase
Pinguicula parvifolia
Succulent phase
Carnivorous phase
A butterwort can also present a range of characteristics between the two phases. It may have both leaf types as it transitions from one phase to the other, or enter a semi-succulent phase. In this state, the plant isn’t quite as large as its full carnivorous form, but neither does it fully transition to a compact rosette.
Pinguicula potosiensis in a semi-succulent phase with dew still on its leaves
Succulent phase timing
The succulent phase typically begins in late fall or early winter and ends in mid to late spring. Sometimes a plant may shift at other times of year too though, or stay in the succulent phase for a longer or shorter period of time. The individual plant, its age, and growing conditions can all have an impact on succulent phase timing.
Growing conditions during the succulent phase
The growing conditions to pay the most attention to when it comes to the succulent phase of tropical and Mexican butterworts are light and water.
Light
Lower light levels are one of the main cues for the succulent phase. In natural sunlight, the shorter days that come with fall and winter will tell the plant it’s time to shift. If the plant grows under artificial lights, setting a grow light timer like this one to a 10-12 hour photoperiod for part of the year will mimic the shorter days of winter.
If you would like more info about lighting for carnivorous plants, you can check out our in depth article series here:
