About

Darlingtonia californica, the Californian pitcher plant, is a spectacular carnivorous perennial forming a rosette of cobra-shaped, trumpet-form leaves to 40 cm tall, the red-veined top folded into a hood with a forked, reddish appendage resembling a snake's tongue. In spring, solitary, nodding, campanulate flowers 6 cm across bear narrow yellowish-green sepals surrounding heavily purple-veined petals. A fascinating plant for a cool, moist, acid, bog garden or specialist greenhouse.

About the genus

Darlingtonia is a monotypic genus of carnivorous perennials from California and Oregon, producing rosettes of cobra-shaped, hooded, pitcher-like leaves and solitary, nodding, purple-veined flowers in spring. Grown as specialist carnivorous plants in cool, moist, acid conditions.

Growing conditions

SunlightFull sun
Soil typeLoam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, East-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH3

Plant details

Plant typeConservatory Greenhouse, Herbaceous Perennial
HabitBushy
FoliageEvergreen
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesPatio and container plants
Native toUSA

Care notes

CultivationGrow under glass in full light with shelter from hot sun. In winter keep moist, cool and well ventilated. Grow outdoors in moist but sharply drained acid soil in full sun. Irrigate with lime-free water
PruningNo pruning required
PropagationPropagate by seed
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to scale insects, mealybugs, aphids and tortrix moth
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free