Why Your Fly Trap Plant Is Turning Black (And How to Fix It)？
If your fly trap plant is turning black, don’t panic—you’re not alone. Many plant lovers in places like Tampa, Florida and Des Moines, Iowa find their Venus flytraps darkening unexpectedly, especially after feeding. It can be frustrating when your bug-catching buddy starts to look sick, especially when you bought it to help eliminate annoying flies. In this post, we’ll explain why this happens, how to fix it, and how to properly care for your fly trap plant to keep it healthy and functional indoors.
Understanding Why Your Fly Trap Plant Is Turning Black
Seeing black leaves on your fly trap plant is a common issue, especially for new owners. One major reason is natural trap cycle—each trap only opens and closes a few times before it dies. This process is completely normal and doesn’t mean your entire plant is dying.
Another common cause of venus flytrap black tips or entire traps turning black is overfeeding. If your fly trap plant turns black after feeding, especially with food that’s too large or not fully digested, the trap can rot. Traps that fail to digest properly often go black due to bacteria buildup. If you’re unsure how much or what kind of food is safe, check out What to Feed Your Fly Trap Plant for helpful feeding tips.
Common Mistakes Causing Black Flytrap Leaves
Improper care is the top reason for flytrap plant decay. Many people make the mistake of watering with tap water, which contains minerals harmful to the plant. Use only distilled water or rainwater to avoid salt buildup in the soil.
Another issue is lighting. Fly trap plants need 12+ hours of bright light, preferably direct sunlight or a grow light. Keeping them in a dark room in cities like Seattle or during winter months often leads to a dying Venus flytrap.
Finally, using regular potting soil instead of sphagnum moss or peat moss mixed with perlite can cause root rot and lead to the fly trap plant going black from below. For those starting from scratch, Grow a Fly Trap Plant from Seeds offers a great beginner’s guide to building a healthy setup.
How to Fix a Blackening Flytrap
Start by trimming off the black traps with sterilized scissors—should you cut off black leaves on a fly trap? Yes, it helps redirect energy to new healthy growth. Then, double-check these:
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Water quality: Only use distilled or rainwater.
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Lighting: Move it to a bright, sunny spot.
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Feeding: Only feed live insects, no larger than ⅓ the size of the trap, and only once every 2–3 weeks.
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Soil: Use nutrient-free carnivorous plant soil.
This should help you revive a black fly trap plant and see new green growth soon.
Do Fly Trap Plants Still Work Indoors?
Absolutely! A healthy Venus flytrap can still catch house flies, gnats, and other bugs—even indoors. When placed near windows or in kitchens where bugs gather, these plants can be both a conversation starter and a natural flying insect control solution. If you’ve ever wondered how effective these plants really are, check out Do Fly Trap Plants Really Eat Flies? to see how they work in action.
Other Option to Catch Flies - WowCatch JT02 UV Fly Trap For Your Home
Looking for a fast, effective solution to eliminate flies in your home—without the hassle of maintaining a plant? While fly trap plants are a natural option, many users in the U.S. prefer something even simpler and more powerful.
Try the WowCatch JT02 Indoor Flying Insect Trap — the perfect modern companion to your pest control routine.
Why choose JT02?
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Price: $16.14 for 1 device + 4 refills
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Targets Moths, Mosquitoes, Flies, Fruit Flies, Gnats, No-See-Ums, Beetles, Wasps, and Yellow Jackets
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Safe for families and pets
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Chemical-free design for worry-free indoor use
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Easy setup and quick refill replacement
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Costs just $0.03/day for ongoing protection
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Prime fast delivery across all U.S. states
Shop now and take back control of your home:
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Final Tip: Location Matters
If you live in humid places like Tampa, your plant may thrive better outdoors in summer. But in dry or cooler areas like Des Moines, you’ll need to bring it inside and use a humidity tray. Always match care to your environment.
Some FAQs
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Why is my Venus flytrap turning black?
Blackening is usually caused by natural trap aging, overfeeding, poor water quality, lack of light, or improper soil. -
Should I cut off black leaves on my flytrap?
Yes, trimming dead or black traps helps the plant focus energy on healthy new growth. -
Can a black Venus flytrap be saved?
Yes, if the root system is healthy. Improve care conditions and remove dead parts to encourage recovery.