Pinguicula esseriana

RHS Plant Profile
Mexican butterwort

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A slow-growing, carnivorous perennial, forming a small rosette of sticky, pale green, pink-flushed leaves, to 1.5cm long. Solitary, pale purple flowers are produced in summer. In winter this species has a period of semi-dormancy when it should be kept drier; during this time it may produce non-carnivorous leaves

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Sand, Chalk

Max Height

Up to 10 cm

Max Spread

0-0.1 metre

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0-0.1 metre
Max Height
Up to 10 cm

Growing Conditions

Sand Chalk
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing or West–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)
H1C

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Lentibulariaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Clump forming
Genus
Pinguicula are a genus of around 80 species of, mainly perennial, flowering carnivorous plants with sticky leaves which attract and digest insects. Leaves are succulent-like and flowers mainly blue, violet or white
Name Status
Unresolved
Plant Range
Mexico (San Luis Potosí)

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in a compost mix comprising one part each peat substitute, coarse sand, perlite and dolomitic limestone chippings. Position in bright, filtered light. In growth, water freely; in winter water sparingly. See Carnivorous plant cultivation

Propagation

Propagate by sowing seed on damp sphagnum moss as soon as ripe. Take leaf cuttings in late winter

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Houseplants
  • Conservatory and greenhouse

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free