Utricularia livida

RHS Plant Profile
leaden bladderwort

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A terrestrial bladderwort. The above ground foliage is in fact stems with the leaves below ground. Microscopic bladders below ground are vacuums, with hair sensors that are triggered by the touch of microorganisms such as daphnia, opening and engulfing their prey. Delicate flowers in lavender and white are borne mainly in the summer months

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
1–2 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Sand
Moisture
Poorly–drained
pH
Acid

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H2

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Lentibulariaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Matforming
Genus
Utricularia can be aquatic, terrestrial or epiphytic, insectivorous annuals or perennials with linear to kidney-shaped leaves bearing bladders to trap insects, and solitary or racemose, 2-lipped flowers held above water level
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
Temp S Africa

How to Grow

Cultivation

Water with pure water or rainwater. Stand pots in a few centimetres of water during the growing season. Just keep damp in winter. Position in good light in a frost-free, humid position. Repot divisions ever 2-3 years to keep plants fresh using a moss/sand/peat or peat-free substitute mix. See carnivorous plant cultivation

Propagation

Propagate by division or propagate by seed

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Patio and container plants

Pruning

No pruning required. Deadhead

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free