The appearance of black leaves
When black leaves appear on a carnivorous plant, the causes are multiple and can be of two types:
- The normal life cycle of the plant : It is actually not uncommon for leaves to wither occasionally.
- The sign of a growth problem : This is the case if you notice this phenomenon on several sheets and their number increases. Sometimes all it takes is a few changes to get things back to normal.
We suggest that you take a closer look at these different causes, hoping that this will allow you to do what is necessary to ensure better health for your plant. But you should know that his discomfort can find its origin in several cumulative problems.
Black leaves, when not to worry?
In some cases, you may notice the presence of black leaves on your carnivorous plant without this being a warning sign.
The cycle of life
As with many plant species, a carnivorous plant follows a life cycle during which leaves will appear, grow, blacken, and then wither to make way for new leaves. This is the normal life cycle of your plant. In this case, you will notice that wilting is gradual and that it concerns only one or two leaves.
In addition, you must see the new generation of leaves dawn. If so, all is well with your plant and there is nothing more to do than what you have done so far. The difference with other plants is that the leaves of carnivorous plants are traps that allow it to attract and capture its prey, and each trap has its own rhythm and can open and close. between 5 to 10 times before dying. On the other hand, you must actually start to worry if several leaves die without producing new ones.
The dormant period
Green plants, including carnivorous plants, enter every winter in a period of dormancy. They take advantage of the cooler season to go into vegetative rest. This occurs when the temperature stays between between 0° and 8°C for approximately 4 weeks. During this period, you may see the appearance of black leaves, but this does not mean that they are dead, they may simply be dormant.
What will allow you to determine if the traps are dead or dormant is their texture and smell : if they have become soft and have a strong smell, there is little more hope. If in doubt, wait until the plant comes out of its dormant period to see if it comes back.
Black leaves, when to worry?
Several reasons can favor the blackening of the leaves of your carnivorous plant and each one corresponds to one or more solutions. Usually the problem is in improper care and by observing your plant you can make improvements.
The stress
Your carnivorous plant can be subjected to various stresses which, in the long run, can lead to the blackening of its leaves. Here is a non-exhaustive list of them:
- A location that does not suit him, because it receives too much or too little light there, among other things. You must then look for a location more suited to his needs.
- The excessive presence of people or objects around her, which can cause stress for her. Indeed, it is not uncommon for people to play with the traps of carnivorous plants, which can be very stressful for them. A continuously moving curtain can also stress the plant and, again, be a source of stress. It is therefore important to leave this type of plant alone and to install it in a quiet place where it will not be in constant demand.
- If the leaves of your plant tend to turn black, avoid repotting at this time, because that would only increase the stress. Give him time to recover.
food
Your carnivorous plant has the ability to attract, capture, and digest living insects and arachnids, but it can also consume them dead. It means that she needs food adapted to its needs and that human food is not for her. Black leaves can therefore be due to food in the following cases:
- While it can be interesting and fun to observe this feeding process, it should be don’t overdo it.
- Likewise, the size of the prey is of considerable importance in the good health of your plant. Indeed, the trap is not unable to consume insects that are too large. In principle, they should not be larger than a third of the size of the trap.
- Just like humans, a carnivorous plant should not being nourished beyond one’s ability to digest and its needs. This means that you should not feed several traps at the same time. Indeed, the nutrients consumed by a trap are sufficient for the whole plant. Thus, a carnivorous plant will be fed every 2 to 6 weeks outside of dormant periods. If your plants are outdoors, they will be able to feed themselves. Conversely, if you don’t feed your carnivorous plant enough, it will also weaken.
The light
Like all green plants, a carnivorous plant needs light adapted to its needs to stay healthy and carnivorous plants need a lot of light. Ideally, he needs 12 hours of sunshine per day. To find out if your plant is getting enough light for it, watch its colors. If they tend to fade or black edges appear on the leaf, your plant is not getting enough light.
The soil
Developing, in their natural state, in very poor soil, carnivorous plants have very specific needs in terms of soil: they need nutrient-free soil. You can, for example, choose dead sphagnum moss with a draining agent, such as perlite, to allow the water to drain well. Choose the substrate according to your plant and do not hesitate to ask for advice.
Carnivorous plants do not need any fertilizer.
watering
In general, carnivorous plants like wet ground. Here are some tips to properly meet their water needs and avoid blackening of the leaves:
- Place the pot in a saucer filled with water so that the drainage hole is always in the water.
- Water your plant from below rather than pouring the water directly onto the substrate.
- Use rainwater or distilled water to water it. Indeed, tap water contains minerals that can burn the roots.
- During the dormant period, limit watering. Just keep the soil moist.
pests and diseases
Carnivorous plants can also be attacked by mealybugs, mites, sciarids or aphids. Keep an eye on your plant so that you can treat it quickly in the event of an invasion. Also, watch out for any traces sooty mold, powdery mildew or botrytis on the plant.
Black leaves, what to do?
We have seen the different reasons that can lead to the blackening of the leaves of your carnivorous plant. If you have taken action to help him get better, the best thing to do next is to wait and watch it carefully to see if things are okay. If it is not essential to cut the blackened traps, it is preferable to do so, as this will restore vigor to the plant and prevent mold from taking hold.
To do this, wait until the leaf is completely blackened and withered before cutting it. Also, if you notice a dead insect stuck inside the trap, immediately cut the trap.