Once a trap closes, it can reopen within 24 hours, only if it has missed its prey or has non-organic substances in its trap. However, to digest its prey, it can take anywhere from three to five days to fully complete the process, leaving the trap closed for as long as it takes to finish.

How long does it take for a Venus flytrap to reopen?

These nutrients are absorbed into the leaf, and five to 12 days following capture, the trap will reopen to release the leftover exoskeleton. After three to five meals, the trap will no longer capture prey but will spend another two to three months simply photosynthesizing before it drops off the plant.

How long do fly traps stay closed?

In order to exclude bacteria and fully enclose its digestive enzymes, the traps on these carnivorous plants remain firmly closed during the five to 12 days it takes to eat a meal. The trap will open sooner, in a mere 24 to 48 hours, if it was a raindrop, twig, or curious human that triggered its closure.