Sarracenia Purpurea

Purple Pitcher Plant

Sarracenia are rhizomous perennial plants with many tubular pitcher-shaped leaves radiating out from the base, and then turning upwards with their trap openings facing the center of the crown. They can trap insects and other prey without the use of moving parts. The plants prefer strong, direct sunlight with no shade and thrive in moist, acidic soil. Sarracenia purpurea pitchers are small, up to 30 cm long. They are squat and have a large lip. The pitcher lid, unlike in erect pitcher plants, does not shield the pitcher opening. Instead, the lid is erect, with a pair of lateral ear-like wings on each side of the pitcher lip.

Contributed by @blueflytrap

plant Features

Full sun
Frequent watering
A little frost hardy: 32F (0°C)
Moist and free draining

plant information

Common name

Purple Pitcher Plant

Latin name

Sarracenia Purpurea

type

Carnivorous plant

family

Sarraceniaceae

ph

5.0 - 6.5 Acid - Neutral

Light

Full sun
Frost

A little frost hardy: 32F (0°C)

Soil

Moist and free draining
Water

Frequent watering

Plant & bloom calendar

Best time to plant

full grown dimensions

The size of a fully grown Purple Pitcher Plant is 0.25meters x 0.30meters

0.25 M 0.30 M

Sarracenia Purpurea

Planting young plants

From Early Spring TO Early Spring

Sarracenia like a long growing seasons and warm to hot summer temperatures. In areas with short and/or cool summers it is best to plant them in a greenhouse or potted, in a conservatory. In very hot areas with low humidity, some afternoon shade can be beneficial. If planting out, choose a site that is permanently moist, even in hot, dry periods and is in full sun. An acid soil is essential (low pH) as the plant draws its nutrients from the insects it traps.

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