The Venus flytrap is generally green in color with reddish hues. However, if you see your Venus flytrap turning yellow, it signifies that the plant is undergoing some sort of change.
The plant starts to change its color, and the traps fall off to adapt to the conditions and save energy. It happens due to change in growing conditions, and if left untreated, it may cause the plant to weaken and eventually die off.
Why is my Venus fly trap turning Yellow?
So, let us explore some of the factors which may cause your Venus flytrap to turn yellow –
- Water Type
- Watering Frequency
- Light
- Soil
1. Water Type
The Venus flytrap needs pure water to survive. Tap water contains dissolved minerals that may be assimilated by the plant or the soil on watering. So, if you use tap water to water your plant, you are likely to oversaturate the plant with nutrients.
Solution
This prevents the plant from absorbing the required food and causes it to turn yellow. To prevent this, use distilled water or reverse osmosis water to ensure that the Venus flytrap receives the pure water it requires to flourish. You can read more detailed guide on how to water Venus fly trap.
2. Watering Frequency
Although Venus flytrap grows in a tropical climate and requires constant moist water to help grow well, it can be susceptible to being overwatered. Excessive watering may cause the Venus flytrap to drown, especially if your pot has improper drainage. It prevents the plant from carrying out the essential life processes and causes it to turn yellow.
Solution
The ideal solution is to reduce the watering frequency of the Venus flytrap. Only water it to keep the soil moist and ensure proper drainage to prevent stagnation of water. Essentially, your Venus flytrap requires watering once or twice a week in the summer and once or twice a month during the winter when it is undergoing the dormant period.
3. Light
The Venus flytrap requires adequate lighting to help grow well. If your Venus flytrap is growing in the shade for too long, likely, the plant would not be able to carry out the essential function of photosynthesis. It causes a lack of food in the plant, and the color of the plant pales to a shade of yellow.
Solution
If your plant is kept outdoors, immediately move it to a place where it receives abundant sunlight for at least four hours a day. However, be careful as excess sunlight may cause sunburns to the plant. If your plant is kept indoors, place it near a south-facing window to ensure that it receives adequate indirect light throughout the day.
4. Soil
Using the right kind of soil is very important to ensure the proper growth of your Venus flytrap. If you use normal soil or store-bought potting mixes that are rich in nutrients, you would likely oversaturate the plant with nutrients. It prevents the plant from assimilating the required nutrients and causes it to turn weak and yellow.
Solution
The best solution is to repot the Venus fly trap plant in a homemade potting mixture consisting of equal parts of peat moss and perlite. This mixture contains less organic nutrients, minerals and is acidic.
Thus, these are the steps to help you nurture your yellowing Venus flytrap back to its original color and form.
