Sarracenia purpurea
common pitcher plant
An evergreen, semi-erect, insectivorous perennial to 30cm tall. Squat, green pitchers, to around 15cm long, are flushed and veined purplish-red, have a large lip and an erect, frilled lid. Five-petalled, purple flowers, up to 5cm in diameter, are borne well above the pitchers in spring
Other common names
Adam's cupcarrion flower
see moredumb watches
false foxglove
fever cup
fly trap
huntsman's cup
huntsman's horn
Indian cup
Indian tea kettle
meadow cup
purple sidesaddle flower
St Jacob's dipper
St John's dipper
trumpet leaf
whip-poor-will's boots
whip-poor-will's shoes
Buy this plant
Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Poorly–drainedpH
AcidColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Purple | Green Purple Red | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Green Purple Red | |||
| Autumn | Green Purple Red | |||
| Winter | Green Purple Red |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H6Botanical details
- Family
- Sarraceniaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Clump forming, Columnar upright, Matforming
- Genus
Sarracenia can be evergreen or herbaceous, rhizomatous perennials with rosettes of phyllodes mostly modified into insect-catching tubular pitchers with hooded lids, and solitary, nodding cup-shaped flowers in spring
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- Canada USA
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow 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. They will generally lose some of their leaves over winter during a period of dormancy. Most Sarracenias can be grown outside in milder parts of the country, but care should be taken in colder conditions. Choose a position in full sun, sheltered from cold winds. See carnivorous plant cultivation
Propagation
Propagate by seed or by division
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Patio and container plants
- Conservatory and greenhouse
Pruning
No pruning required. Remove dead leaves as necessary
Pests
May be susceptible to scale insects, mealybugs, aphids and tortrix moth caterpillars
Diseases
Generally disease-free
Get involved
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