The Venus flytrap is indeed a unique plant that always catches your eyes. It is normal to notice the slightest changes in your favorite houseplant. So, if you see your plant starting to turn black one day, you are bound to get worried.
While this color change is generally not of fatal consequence, it still signifies that the plant is undergoing some form of stress. If the color change is not due to natural aging or winter dormancy, take preventive measures to ensure that your Venus flytrap is nurtured back to health.
Why is my Venus fly trap turning black?
So, let us discuss some factors which may lead to your houseplant turning black –
- Overfeeding
- Improper food
- Oversaturation
1. Overfeeding
Due to the exotic nature of the plant, you may always want to give it some extra attention and care. While extra attention is good for the plant, avoid providing it in the form of food.
Overzealous feeding at infrequent intervals may cause excess energy drain as opening and shutting the trap requires energy. It may cause the trap to turn black and die off.
Solution
Don’t worry, as this is merely the plant redirecting its energy in producing more leaves and would not kill your plant. However, avoid over-feeding the plant or artificially forcing the plant to close its traps. Limit yourself to feeding one trap per week.
2. Improper food
To complete its digestion the Venus flytrap must seal both sides of its leaves together. So, if your trap is turning black, check if it has trapped a prey too large for its size. When a part of the prey is left outside, it often leads to decay. Decaying makes the plant prone to pests and fungi which may infest the trap from the insect and damage it. Take immediate measures to limit the damage once your plant starts to turn black due to the infestation.
Solution
If you are providing your Venus flytraps with insects, ensure that the size of the feed is not larger than 1/3rd of the trap. It allows the plant to digest the food well and prevents it from turning black.
However, sometimes the traps may catch large insects naturally. In this situation, it is best to allow the trap to fall off and be replaced by a new one.
3. Oversaturation
Improper growing conditions may be another reason for your Venus flytrap turning black. It can happen due to the soil or water being rich in minerals. The Venus flytrap requires nutrient-deficient soil and pure water to thrive. Tap water and general potting mixes often have a high content of nutrients which can oversaturate the plant and cause the plant to turn black.
Solution
The ideal way to water your Venus flytrap is to use rainwater, distilled, or reverse osmosis water. Prepare a potting mixture on one part of peat moss and one part perlite. Use this mixture to pot your Venus flytrap to ensure that it is not oversaturated by excessive minerals.
Thus, these are the factors that may cause your Venus flytrap to turn black.
How do I keep my Venus flytrap from turning black?
The most common reason for a Venus flytrap turning black is because of too much light exposure. The plants need shade from the sun in order to stay healthy, so make sure you are providing them with adequate sunlight protection by covering them up with a blanket or a towel when they aren’t in use.
Another reason for a Venus flytrap turning black could be due to over-watering, which can cause rot and mold growth on the plant’s leaves. Be sure to water your plants only when the soil feels dry and allow them to dry out before watering again.
About Venus Fly traps
Venus flytraps are carnivorous plants that are native to the region of North and South Carolina in the United States. They grow in damp, acidic bogs, marshes, and wet prairies. The plant has a unique way of catching its prey; it traps insects with its leaves by using trigger hair on the leaf’s upper surface.
The plant is known for its unusual method of feeding, which involves luring insects onto its leaves by providing them with sugar-rich nectar as bait. Once they are trapped, the insect is unable to escape from the plant due to specialized cells on both surfaces of each leaf that act like tiny suction cups. The cells form a seal around the insect which prevents it from moving any further up or down the leaf’s surface, thereby preventing it from escaping.
They grow in bright, humid climates with full sun exposure and soil that is high in organic material. The plant has a reputation for being difficult to care for because it is sensitive to changes in water, temperature, light, and humidity levels.
Final Words
It’s not uncommon for people to see the color of their Venus flytrap turn black. This is a natural occurrence and it doesn’t mean that your plant is dying. It just means that it’s trying to survive. The most common cause of black coloration on a Venus flytrap is due to overwatering or underwatering. It can also be caused by too much or too little sunlight exposure, insufficient air circulation around the plant’s roots, or diseases such as root rot or insect infestation.