US Native Plants *Sarracenia Pitchers, Dionaea Venus Flytrap, Drosera sundews.
Sarracenia, the American pitcher plants, are native to the US Gulf Coast states and all along the East Coast, from Eastern Texas through to Florida, and north through the New England states and the Southern provinces of Canada. There is even one natural population in extreme east British Columbia! These plants get their name from their pitcher-shaped leaves. They capture insects by producing nectar along the rim of their pitchers. When an insect starts to lick up the nectar, it tries to get more by reaching in the pitcher. When it loses its footing, it falls right in!
The inside walls of the pitcher are very smooth, so insects are not able to crawl out. They also can't fly out because there isn't any airlift in a tube! Eventually the insect dies, and as it decomposes, the plant absorbs its nutrients right through its leaves. Mmm....
Where to Grow
Sarracenia grow best outdoors as a container or potted plant on a sunny deck or patio. You may also grow them in a pond or fountain, but keep their crowns above water. Because of their specific soil requirements, avoid planting them directly into the ground.
Sunlight
During the growing season, grow your Sarracenia outside in full sun with 6 or more hours of direct sunlight, for vigorous growth. If full sun is not possible, provide a minimum of 4 hours of direct sunlight with bright indirect light during the rest of the day. Such a plant won’t be as vibrantly colored as one grown in full sun, but they can still grow more/less healthily. They grow best outdoors, but they can be grown indoors on a very sunny windowsill or under grow lights. They appreciate some afternoon shade in extreme heat. Keep them as potted plants with a water filled saucer or tray underneath , they will not survive planted in regular yard soil.
Heat Tolerance
Sarracenia tolerate the summer heat well. They originate from an area where temperatures above 90°F (32°C) commonly occur in summer.
Water
Sarracenia require mineral-free water. If your tap water is relatively pure (less than 50 parts per million in dissolved minerals), then you can safely water your Sarracenia with it. Only use rain, distilled, or reverse osmosis water or collect water from your HVAC system. Keep the soil wet at all times by keep them sitting in a saucer with a few inches of water.. You can do this by setting the plant in small amounts of standing water, no more than halfway up the pot. Do not let them dry out. If these plants dry, they die. Rain barrel would be a great investment!
Soil
Roughly 50/50 mix of fertilizer free peat moss with perlite or clean silica sand. Never use potting soil, compost or fertilizer; these ingredients will kill your plants. Check the fine print. DO NOT use soil ingredients with added fertilizers! Avoid Miracle grow brand.
Winter Care
Sarracenia require 3-4 months of winter dormancy triggered by cold temperatures (below 50°F or 10°C) and shorter daylight hours. As your plants enter dormancy, they will stop growing altogether. Some plants will retain their pitchers into winter, but many leaves will turn brown. While dormant, your plants can withstand overnight frosts down to 20°F (-7°C). As long as temperatures rise above freezing during the day, you don't need to protect them. However, even while dormant, plants will still need to sit in a small amount of standing water to prevent their soil from drying out.
These are warm-temperate plants, needing warm summers and chilly winters. Winter dormancy is a necessity. Plants will naturally slow growth and go dormant in the fall. Pitchers and dead leaves can be cut back at this time. Make sure they stay wet in the winter as well, especially during a freeze. If temperatures dip below the low 20’s Fahrenheit it is advisable to offer them protection. At our nursery we cover them with a plastic tarp during hard freezes. Mulching with six or more inches of pine straw will provide greater protection. Or, you can put them in a dark and cold area that offers protection from extreme cold, such as a garage or enclosed patio for the winter
If you live in zones 7 and 8, pay attention to weather alerts. If weather forecasts predict the daytime temperature will remain below freezing for more than a couple of days, you will need to protect your plants from frost burn, a type of dehydration that occurs during prolonged freezes. Cover your plants with tarp (or move them to an unheated enclosure). When the daytime temperature rises above freezing, you may uncover your plants and allow it to continue its dormancy as usual.
If you live in zones 6 or colder, areas where the temperature routinely drops below freezing for more than a week at a time, you will need to mulch your container plants for the winter. Maintain soil moisture whenever the temperature rises above freezing. Uncover your plants in early spring.
Feeding and Fertilizer They catch their own nutrition when outdoors. No need to fertilize!