Why Does The Venus Flytrap Plant Turn Black
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When you take a look at your Venus flytrap, does its trap look black to you? If so, there is no need to worry; this can be the normal process of death and rebirth that the plant goes through. But ultimately, ever wonder how But ultimately, have you ever wonder how does a Venus flytrap plant turn black? Let’s try to find out in the following context.
When a Venus flytrap plant turns black, it is dying, and being replaced by a new, healthier, and younger trap. Each trap on your Venus flytrap can live for about three months, or after it catches anywhere between one to four bugs, whichever happens first.
These are just some of the various reasons your plant may turn black, but there are solutions to each problem.
You may also read our other article related to Venus Flytrap Plant Diseases And Pests Issues.
Eating Food That Is Too Big for Its Trap
When your Venus flytrap seals its food in its trap, it completely closes on its prey. However, if the insect has large wings or longer legs than the trap’s size, it can end up getting stuck partially inside of the plant.
Because the insect is too big for the trap to close completely around it, it can end up turning black and dying off.
You need to make sure that when you are feeding your Venus flytrap, its food is a third the size of the trap.
And if an insect is triggering its trap, the plant may go ahead and try to close with it, even if it is too big for it. It is okay; however, you just need to let your plant’s trap die off. A new one will replace it, so do not try to help it out.
A Venus Flytrap Plant Turn Black Being Overfed
When a Venus flytrap closes its trap, it takes a lot of energy to do so, which can cause an issue if it is continuously doing so with every trap.
The plant does need nourishment through insects; however, if you are constantly feeding each trap, they may turn black and whither off.
That is because it has to close and digest its food, which takes a lot of energy. That is why it is better to feed a trap or two at a time or let nature take its course and make the plant catch food on its own.
If you overfeed your Venus flytrap, it can cause the traps to turn black and die out.
They may also die to pull all of the plant’s energy to focus on photosynthesizing replacements for these traps that have been overworked. It can also be the cause of too much nitrogen from all the food it has been eating. All you need to do to solve this problem is to stop feeding your plant for a month and just let it fend for itself.
That can help it grow back new traps, which once they are matured and back open, you can start feeding them again. However, this time, only feed one to two traps once a week by hand.
A Venus Flytrap Plant Turn Black if Stressed Out
Yes, even your Venus flytrap can get stressed out, just like you do. This usually occurs due to being moved or repotted. If your plant has recently been moved or repotted, the traps may turn black and die on you. That is perfectly normal; you need to wait it out by letting the plant adjust to its new home.
If you want to minimize your plant’s stress, you can wait until February or March when its dormancy ends, to repot your plant. No matter where you move your plant to, it can still get stressed out and have black traps die-off of it. All you need to do is wait for your Venus flytrap to recover, and it will be as good as new.
Do to Poor Living Conditions
The best type of soil to use for your Venus flytrap is poor nutrient soil, such as New Zealand long-fiber sphagnum moss or pure peat moss.
Its soil needs to be ventilated with silica sand or perlite. It is the best soil condition for this plant, and it does not require any additional nutrients or fertilizers.
The plant can suffer from a mineral burn if it is exposed to fertilizers. Its water needs to have less than 50 parts per million of Total Dissolved Solids or TDS to thrive. If it has more than this, the water is not safe for your Venus flytrap!
Most owners of these plants tend to buy gallons of distilled water from the store instead of using tap water. You can also use rainwater that you have saved to water your plants. If you want to be cautious, you should buy a TDS meter to monitor the sources of water you want to use.
The pot or planter used for your Venus flytrap can also be a source of concern that is causing your plant to turn black. You need to use a plastic, ceramic, or foam pot. Ceramic pots needs to be completely glazed for it not to harm your plant. Unglazed, terracotta or clay pots can cause your plant to turn black due to its potential minerals entering the plant. They need to have drainage holes at the bottom to keep your plant from getting too moist!
A Venus Flytrap Plant Turn Black In Colder Weather
The temperature can affect your Venus flytrap, as well.
When entering dormancy during the colder winter days, the plant will start to lose its leaves to prepare itself before the weather gets too cold. This is a natural process that is needed for these plants to thrive. Some of its traps may completely turn black and die off, while others may stay.
They will not grow back until the plant comes out of dormancy, usually starting in the spring, so you need to wait it out.
Most owners of these plants tend to buy gallons of distilled water from the store instead of using tap water. You can also use rainwater that you have saved to water your plants. If you want to be cautious, you should buy a TDS meter to monitor the sources of water you want to use.
The pot or planter used for your Venus flytrap can also be a source of concern that is causing your plant to turn black. You need to use a plastic, ceramic, or foam pot. Ceramic pots need to be completely glazed for it not to harm your plant. Unglazed, terracotta or clay pots can cause your plant to turn black due to its potential minerals entering the plant. They need to have drainage holes at the bottom to keep your plant from getting too moist!
Here’s another article about Venus Flytraps: How Many Times Can A Venus Flytrap Close?
