Sarracenia × harperi

RHS Plant Profile
Harper's pitcher plant

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Harper's pitcher plant RHS
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A large, evergreen, rhizomatous perennial to around 30cm in height, with rosettes of modified leaf stems called 'phyllodes' which function as insect-catching tubular pitchers with hooded lids. These strong, over-sized pitchers are yellow-green with prominent red veining, turning to bronze in summer

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Loam

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years

Growing Conditions

Loam
Moisture
Moist but well–drained or Poorly–drained
pH
Acid

Position

Full sun
Aspect
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)
H4

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Sarraceniaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Clump forming
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

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in a bog garden, or outdoors in containers of specialist carnivorous compost, in full sun. In summer stand containers in trays of lime-free water and irrigate only with rainwater. Sarracenia require a period of winter dormancy when they should be kept moist, cool, and well ventilated; an unheated greenhouse is ideal. See carnivorous plant cultivation

Propagation

Propagate by division in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Houseplants
  • Patio and container plants
  • Conservatory and greenhouse

Pruning

Trim off tatty growth in autumn

Pests

May be susceptible to slugs, snails and aphids

Diseases

Generally disease-free