About
Sarracenia, the pitcher plants, are evergreen or herbaceous, rhizomatous perennials with rosettes of specialised, modified leaf stems forming insect-catching, tubular pitchers with hooded lids. Solitary, nodding, cup-shaped flowers in shades of red, orange, cream or yellow appear in spring above the pitchers. Fascinating carnivorous plants for a very moist, acid, nutrient-poor position.
About the genus
Sarracenia, the pitcher plants, are evergreen or herbaceous, rhizomatous perennials with rosettes of phyllodes modified into insect-catching, tubular pitchers with hooded lids, and solitary, nodding, cup-shaped flowers in spring. Grown in very moist, acid, nutrient-poor soil in full sun.
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeLoam
Soil pHAcid
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Poorly-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH3
Plant details
Plant typeBogs, Conservatory Greenhouse, Houseplants
HabitClump forming, Columnar upright, Matforming
FoliageEvergreen
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesPatio and container plants
Care notes
CultivationGrow under glass, keep moist in full light with shelter from hot sun. Use an acidic potting medium with moss. In winter, keep slightly drier, cool and well ventilated. Irrigate with lime-free water. See carnivorous plant cultivation
PruningNo pruning required. Remove dead leaves as necessary
PropagationPropagate by division
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to scale insects, mealybugs, aphids and tortrix moth caterpillars
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free