Question
Hi. I bought a venus flytrap from you this March, along with a bag of soil. I re-potted it in March also, like the instructions said. It is now April and it has been raining a lot recently. I have it in a ceramic pot with drainage holes, but it isn't draining. There is lots of water in the pot and the leaves of the plant are turning black. I don't know what to do. Is it dying? Can i fix this? I have been growing outside also like you said and it gets full sunlight. All the growing conditions seem OK. Is the plant going to be ok?

Answer
Hi Sean,

Although flytraps don't mind sitting in small amounts of water, they don't tolerate being flooded.  Despite using a ceramic pot that has drainage holes, either the holes are clogged or they are simply too small to allow for proper drainage.  Ideally, when you top water, the water should flow through the pot.  If water pools on the soil surface, then you'd need to change pots.

Repot your plant in a different pot that allows for proper drainage.  Your plant should recover, but it will take time, perhaps a month.  Always keep the water level no higher than half way up the pot.  Use a tall pot whenever possible.

Also be aware that we are very early in the growing season, so it is normal for older leaves from the previous growing season to turn black as the new growing season commences.  This is entirely normal and expected.  Look for new growth coming up from the center of the plant.

For more information about watering your flytrap, read our care sheet online:
http://www.cobraplant.com/caresheets

Good growing!
Jacob Farin