Venus flytraps are very interesting and unique plants that eat animals, but they can be hard to keep alive. Because they have special needs, Venus flytraps often die from not getting the right care.
The good news is that with a few simple changes, you can revive a dying Venus flytrap and nurse it back to health. In this article, I’ll go over the most common causes of Venus flytraps dying and give you step-by-step instructions on how to save your plant.
Why Your Venus Flytrap is Dying
Venus flytraps have learned to live in places with few nutrients and need certain conditions to do well. Here are some of the most common reasons Venus flytraps die off.
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Incorrect soil – Venus flytraps need low-nutrient, acidic soil. Regular potting mix will kill them.
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Tap water – Tap water contains minerals and chemicals that harm Venus flytraps. They need pure water like distilled, rain, or reverse osmosis water.
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Not enough light—Venus flytraps need at least 4 hours of direct sunlight every day. Insufficient light leads to all-green traps and drooping.
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Wrong watering—Leaves turn yellow and traps hang down when there is too much or too little water.
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Low humidity – Venus flytraps thrive in humidity above 50%. Low humidity causes traps to turn green and droop.
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Pests or diseases – Venus flytraps are prone to aphids, fungus gnats, mold and root rot.
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Winter dormancy – Venus flytraps naturally die back in winter. This is normal seasonal behavior, not a sign of a dying plant.
7 Steps to Revive Your Venus Flytrap
If your Venus flytrap is struggling, don’t give up hope! Follow these steps to get it back to health:
1. Repot in Proper Soil
Get your Venus flytrap into an acidic, nutrient-poor soil as soon as possible. A good mix is 2 parts peat moss or sphagnum moss to 1 part perlite or sand. Or use a specialty Carnivorous Plant Soil Mix.
2. Water with Pure Water
Always use distilled, reverse osmosis, or rainwater. Never tap water, which will kill Venus flytraps. Flushing the soil with pure water monthly helps remove any built-up minerals.
3. Increase Light Exposure
Venus flytraps need at least 4 hours of direct sun daily. Acclimate the plant gradually if moving it from lower light conditions. Supplement natural sunlight with grow lights if needed.
4. Optimize Watering Frequency
Keep the soil moist but not soggy. Let the top inch dry out between waterings. Water from below to avoid wet leaves. Reduce watering in winter during dormancy.
5. Boost Humidity
Venus flytraps like 50-70% humidity. Increase humidity by misting the plant, using a pebble tray, or placing it in a terrarium. Avoid dry heat sources like forced air that lower humidity.
6. Inspect for Pests and Disease
Check for common pests like fungus gnats, aphids, and mites. Treat any infestations immediately. Also watch for mold, fungus, and root rot from overly wet soil.
7. Be Patient!
It takes time for stressed Venus flytraps to recover. Focus on dialing in proper care and wait for new healthy traps to emerge. Avoid repotting or fertilizing while it recovers.
Common Questions About Reviving Venus Flytraps
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about bringing Venus flytraps back from the brink:
Why is my Venus flytrap turning black?
Don’t panic if traps or leaves turn black – this is normal! Traps naturally die off every few months. Clip off dead traps to make room for new ones. Venus flytraps also die back entirely in winter dormancy.
Should I cut off flower stalks?
Yes, clipping flower stalks preserves the plant’s energy so snip them off. Flowers are pretty but very taxing for Venus flytraps to produce.
How often do I feed my Venus flytrap?
Healthy Venus flytraps catch their own food. You can supplement feed 1-2 live insects per month for indoor plants. Avoid feeding if your plant is stressed or dying.
Why won’t my traps close anymore?
Traps can only close a limited number of times before they stop working. Let new traps develop and avoid unnecessary closings by touching or manually feeding the plant.
How long does it take to revive a Venus flytrap?
Have patience! It can take weeks or months to see signs of recovery. Focus on adjusting care to meet its needs. In time, with proper conditions, it will rebound.
Final Tips for Keeping Your Venus Flytrap Alive
Follow this Venus flytrap first aid, and there’s an excellent chance you can nurse your plant back to health. Here are a few final reminders:
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Mimic the plant’s natural bog-like habitat – bright light, high humidity, moist acidic soil.
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Quarantine new plants before introducing to others to prevent disease spread.
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Avoid repotting or fertilizing while recovering. Wait for signs of new growth first.
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Acclimate plants slowly to any changes in sun exposure, humidity, or temperature.
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Be vigilant about pests like fungus gnats that easily infest stressed plants.
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Have realistic expectations – Venus flytraps grow slowly and success is measured in months.
Where to grow Venus fly trap
Grow your Venus fly trap on a sunny windowsill where it will get plenty of bright, direct sunlight. In summer you can move it outside, but make sure you bring it in again in autumn.
How to propagate Venus fly trap
Propagate by division in spring. Look for offshoots that develop from the base of the plant, and remove these with a sharp knife, taking care to ensure they have a good clump of roots still attached. Then pot them up into fresh acidic peat-free compost, ensuring they stay moist until established.
Venus fly trap is rarely troubled by pests, although aphids and fungus gnats occasionally turn up. You can gently remove aphids using tweezers. To get rid of fungus gnats, set up sticky traps or buy a sundew plant, which eats bugs and will do it quickly.