Darlingtonia californica

RHS Plant Profile
Californian pitcher plant

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Californian pitcher plant RHS

Other common names

cobra flower, cobra lily

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Conservatory Greenhouse Herbaceous Perennial
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A perennial to 40cm, forming a rosette of trumpet-shaped leaves with the red-veined top folded over to form a hood with a reddish appendage. Flowers 6cm across, bell-shaped, with narrow yellowish-green sepals surrounding heavily purple-veined petals

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–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)
H3

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Sarraceniaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Bushy
Genus
Darlingtonia are carnivorous perennials with several pitcher-like leaves hooded at the top, and solitary, nodding flowers in spring
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
USA

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow under glass in full light with shelter from hot sun. In winter keep moist, cool and well ventilated. Grow outdoors in moist but sharply drained acid soil in full sun. Irrigate with lime-free water

Propagation

Propagate by seed

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Patio and container plants

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to scale insects, mealybugs, aphids and tortrix moth

Diseases

Generally disease-free