Troubleshooting Black Traps and White Fuzz on Venus Flytraps

Normal Trap Aging vs. Fungal Issues

A Venus flytrap owner noticed one trap turning black with white fuzz. The plant is watered when the tray looks dry, receives daytime sun, and is kept at 69°F indoors. It’s potted in peat and sphagnum moss from a hardware store and fed houseflies weekly.

Black Traps Are Natural

Traps naturally blacken and die after a couple of months. As long as new growth appears, the plant is healthy. However, the white fuzz indicates fungus—often caused by humidity domes commonly sold with hardware-store plants. These domes create constantly high humidity, breeding mold and fungus.

Immediate Treatment and Better Growing Conditions

Treat with a sulfur-based fungicide (available at garden centers) following label directions. We strongly recommend growing Venus flytraps outdoors year-round; they thrive without nightly indoor moves. At our Oregon nursery, flytraps grow exclusively outdoors. For detailed care, see our care sheet: https://www.cobraplant.com/caresheets. Our DVD and humidity myth-busting gallery offer further insights: DVD | Humidity Gallery.

Happy growing!
Jacob Farin