The Venus flytrap is known for its high tolerance and adaptive abilities. Thus, they require minimal maintenance and are less susceptible to pests and bugs, because they generally prey on the bugs themselves.
Why is my Venus fly trap turning brown?
Sometimes you may see that your Venus flytrap has started to turn brown and dry. It signifies that your Venus flytrap is undergoing severe stress. If left untreated, it may severely damage your plant or may even kill it. So, specific measures should be taken to bring your plant back to its health and shape.
Why is your Venus fly trap turning brown?
So, let us explore the factors which may cause your Venus fly trap plant to turn brown –
- Watering
- Temperature fluctuations
- Soil
- Sunlight
Watering
Water is essential for the growth and survival of each plant. However, the Venus flytrap specifically requires pure water that is devoid of dissolved minerals. So, if you use tap water which is enriched in minerals to water the plants, it is likely that you would oversaturate and harm the plant.
Further, for the Venus flytrap to grow well, it requires enough water to keep the soil moist. If you provide excess or inadequate water, the plant would start to wilt and will turn brown. Thus, providing it the right amount of water is very important for the growth of your Venus flytrap.
Solution
Only water the plant once or twice a week during summers and once or twice a month during winters when the plant is dormant. Use rainwater to water the plant if available. Alternatively, you can also use distilled or reverse osmosis rainwater.
Read our complete guide on how to water Venus fly trap.
Temperature Fluctuations
If there are severe fluctuations in the temperature and a drop in the humidity level of the atmosphere, the Venus fly trap may start to wilt and turn brown. It may happen in both extreme cold and hot temperatures. So, be careful about your Venus flytrap on days of extreme temperature changes.
Solution
If you see a severe change in the temperature and the atmospheric humidity turns low, you can place your Venus flytrap indoors. If your plant is already kept indoors, remove it from daft places such as doors, windows, and sources of heat or cold radiation. Use a sprayer to spray water on the plant to ensure that it doesn’t dry out.
Soil
The right type of soil is crucial for the growth of the Venus flytrap. It requires soil that is acidic and low in nutrients. So, using regular potting mixtures may oversaturate the roots of the plant and prevent them from absorbing the required nutrients. Thus, causing the plant to dry out and turn brown.
Solution
Mix equal parts of perlite and peat moss to make an economical homemade alternative to regular potting soil. This potting mix is acidic in nature and ideal for the growth of your Venus flytrap. Making your own potting mixture allows you to provide a type of soil that is best suited for your Venus flytrap.
Read our complete article on how to make potting soil for Venus fly trap.
Thus, these are the factors that may cause your Venus flytrap to turn brown.