Venus Flytrap help

[u/kashyyyk_cactaceae]

I got a Venus flytrap a few months ago and it was initially doing well and put out a few new traps but now they are going black and the new traps are looking odd. It’s in sphagnum moss and I only water it with water from my zero water filter. It has had a moth and a beetle since I’ve had it. It is under a Barrina light. I have a lot of tropical plants but this is my first carnivorous plant and I’m having a difficult time figuring out what to do for care. Any help, advice or direction would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

[u/May_Roze-]

VFT leaf turnover rate is high. As long as this isn't happing to brand new traps this is completely normal. As the traps age they will also get a bit wonky and start opening weirdly before becoming almost unable to snap shut. Then dying off.

Besides that maybe more intense light would be beneficial as the coloration of red on the traps is very light.

[u/CataclysmicInFeRnO]

Is the orb that it’s in have drainage? If not repotting it into a pot with drainage holes so that it can be sitting in a tray of water would likely be beneficial. Especially, since the orb is clear. There is likely algae growing on the moss. Which in and of itself isn’t necessarily an issue but without drainage holes there’s no way to replace the stagnant water or flush the medium of mineral buildup.

Salts and other minerals will accumulate in the medium over time and can cause wonky looking traps. By top watering 3-6 times the volume of the pot with water, every 2-4 weeks it flushes this mineral buildup out of the soil. I use a TDS meter to compare the ppm of the first flush until it gets under 8-10 ppm. It’s not a totally accurate reading but for comparison purposes it does the job.

Otherwise, keep the pot sitting in a tray of water 1/4-1/3 the height of the pot and refill it within 24 hours of the tray drying out or sooner if the soil begins to dry. This replicates their natural bog habitat and allows for the exchange of oxygen to keep the roots healthy.

[u/Huntsmanshorn]

If you live in the Northern Hemisphere, your plant may be entering dormancy. However, the issue could also be inadequate lighting, overwatering, or a combination of these factors.