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....

Sarracenia care applies to all the other US Native carnivores.

SUN: Provide at least 6 hours of direct sun. 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, they will not survive planted in regular yard soil.

WATER: Always keep them sitting in a saucer with a few inches of water. Only use rain, distilled, or reverse osmosis water. Do not let them dry out.  Rain barrel would be a great investment!

TEMPERATURE AND DORMANCY: 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

SOIL: Roughly 50/50 mix of fertilizer free peat moss with perlite or clean silica sand. Check the fine print. DO NOT use soil ingredients with added fertilizers! Avoid Miracle grow brand. 

FEEDING AND FERTILIZER: They catch their own nutrition when outdoors. No need to fertilize!