About
Cephalotus follicularis is a compact, clump-forming carnivorous plant. In spring, it produces non-carnivorous leaves that are flat, covered in hairs, and a vivid green. The specialized pitcher leaves measure 2-4 cm in length, turning a deep red when exposed to bright light, while they stay green in shadier environments. The pitcher’s opening is bordered by 24 distinct ribs or teeth. During the summer, a flower stalk can reach up to 60 cm and produces small flowers that are white to pale green in color.
About the genus
Cephalotus consists of a single species, commonly referred to as the West Australian Pitcher Plant. This plant forms compact clusters of pitchers that can be orange, red, maroon, or black, each featuring a distinctive line of teeth along the rim.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Full sun, Partial shade
- Soil type
- Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained
- Aspect
- West-facing, East-facing, South-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed, Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H2
Plant details
- Plant type
- Conservatory Greenhouse, Houseplants
- Habit
- Matforming
- Foliage
- Semi evergreen
- Height
- 0.5-1 metres
- Spread
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 5-10 years
- Suggested uses
- Patio and container plants
- Native to
- W Australia
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Grow in a nutrient-poor, acidic substrate and maintain temperatures between 5 and 32oC. See carnivorous plant cultivation for more information
- Pruning
- No pruning required
- Propagation
- Propagate by seed, from root cuttings or leaf cuttings or by division
- Pest resistance
- Susceptible to scale insects
- Disease resistance
- Generally disease-free