Pitcher Plant, Trumpet Pitcher, Carnivorous Plant
Cultivated by gardeners and carnivorous plant enthusiasts, Sarracenia (Pitcher Plant) is easy to grow and makes a terrific addition in neutral to acidic bog gardens or water gardens.
Sarracenia, commonly known as Pitcher Plant, is a spectacular and fascinating genus of carnivorous plants, including 15 species and subspecies found naturally in North America. Most species inhabit very wet, peaty bogs or swamps in the southeastern United States. Only S. purpurea occurs in cold-temperate regions in the northeastern USA and southern Canada.
Sadly, Sarracenia species are threatened in the wild by development and habitat drainage. Estimates indicated that 97.5% of Sarracenia habitat has already been destroyed in the southeastern U.S., home of all but one subspecies of Sarracenia.
Description: Sarracenia is a striking perennial plant known for its unique, carnivorous nature. It belongs to the Sarraceniaceae family and is characterized by tubular leaves that form a ‘pitcher’, used to trap and digest insects. Sarracenia is available in a wide range of colors, including green, yellow, burgundy, and brilliant red, and some pitcher plants boast dramatic red veining.
Growth Habit: Pitcher plants are herbaceous perennial plants that grow from fleshy roots (rhizome) and form whorls of hollow, modified leaves – the pitchers – that radiate out from the growing point and then turn upwards with their trap openings facing the center of the crown. Insects are attracted by nectar secreted at the tubular leaves’ opening. They slip or crawl into pools of digestive enzymes at the bottom of the pitchers. The exoskeletons are usually not digested, and over the course of the summer fill up the pitcher tube.
Size: Depending on the species, Sarracenia plants can vary in size, typically ranging from 6 inches (15 cm) to 3 feet (90 cm) tall. They may be upright, resembling trumpets, or they may look like jugs and lie on the ground.
Flowers: Sarracenia produces unique, nodding flowers, 2-3 inches (5-7 cm) across, with umbrella-like structures. The flowers, usually red, yellow, or green, appear in spring before the pitcher leaves fully develop. They are borne on long stalks, generally well above the pitcher traps, to avoid the trapping of potential pollinators. The flowers of almost all species are scented. Some are strongly fragrant and sometimes unpleasant.
Foliage: The pitcher-like leaves of Sarracenia are its most distinctive feature. They have a hood or lid over the top, are usually brightly colored with veins, and contain a nectar-like secretion to attract insects. Once insects fall into the pitcher, they are unable to climb back up the slippery interior and are eventually digested by the plant’s enzymes.
Blooming Season: Sarracenia typically blooms in the spring and summer. After a bloom period of 7-8 days, the petals drop, and the ovary, if pollinated, begins to swell. On average, 300-600 seeds are produced, depending on species and pollination. They take five months to mature, at which point the seed pod turns brown and splits open, scattering seed.
Uses: Due to their unusual appearance and insect-trapping capabilities, Sarracenia are often grown in gardens for their ornamental value. They’re especially popular in bog gardens, water gardens, and containers.
Toxicity: Sarracenia is not known to be toxic to humans or pets. However, the plant’s insect-digesting enzymes could potentially cause mild irritation.
Drought: As wetland plants, Sarracenia require consistently moist, even waterlogged, conditions. They’re not tolerant of drought and require water throughout the growing season.
Invasiveness: Sarracenia is not known to be invasive. In fact, several species are threatened or endangered due to habitat loss.
Key Facts: One of the fascinating aspects of Sarracenia is its adaptation as a carnivorous plant. They have evolved to trap and digest insects to supplement their nutrient intake, which is particularly helpful as they are often found in nutrient-poor, acidic soils. Also noteworthy is the fact that the genus is named after Dr. Michel Sarrazin, a physician from Quebec, who first reported about the plant to the French botanist Joseph Pitton de Tournefort in the late 17th century.
| Hardiness |
3 - 10 |
|---|---|
| Plant Type | Perennials |
| Genus | Sarracenia |
| Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
| Season of Interest |
Spring (Early, Mid, Late) Summer (Early, Mid, Late) Fall |
| Height |
6" - 3' (15cm - 90cm) |
| Maintenance | Low |
| Water Needs | High |
| Soil Type | Loam, Sand |
| Soil pH | Acid |
| Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Poorly Drained |
| Native Plants | United States, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Southeast, Northeast, California, Midwest, Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Virginia, Florida, Alabama, West Virginia, Georgia, Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina, Mississippi, Louisiana |
| Landscaping Ideas | Patio And Containers, Bog Gardens, Water Gardens |
Growing a pitcher plant, such as Sarracenia, can be a rewarding and fascinating endeavor for several reasons:
Unique Appearance: The unusual and exotic look of pitcher plants makes them a striking addition to any garden or indoor plant collection. Their colorful, intricate pitcher-shaped leaves and unique flowers are a conversation starter.
Insect Control: As carnivorous plants, pitcher plants trap and digest insects, acting as a form of natural pest control. They can help manage populations of flies, mosquitoes, and other small insects.
Educational Interest: Pitcher plants are an excellent tool for education about plant biology, particularly for children. They illustrate a unique survival adaptation among plants – carnivory – which can spark interest in botany and the natural world.
Conservation Efforts: Some species of pitcher plants are endangered or threatened due to habitat loss. Growing these plants can help preserve them and raise awareness about their conservation.
Ornamental Use: Pitcher plants are often grown for their ornamental value, adding a touch of drama to bog gardens, water gardens, and terrariums.
Low Maintenance: While pitcher plants do have specific care requirements, such as moist soil and plenty of sunlight, once these conditions are met, they require relatively little maintenance.
Remember, though, that while pitcher plants can be intriguing to grow, they have particular growing requirements including a need for high humidity, specific watering needs (often requiring rainwater or distilled water), and a dormant period in winter. They aren’t the right choice for every gardener, but if you can provide the conditions they need, they can be a rewarding and unique plant to grow.
Designing a garden with pitcher plants can add a unique and intriguing element to your landscape. Given their need for wet, bog-like conditions, consider these suggestions:
Bog or Water Garden: Pitcher plants are naturally found in boggy, marsh-like conditions, making them a perfect fit for water or bog gardens. A water feature lined with waterproof material and filled with a mixture of sphagnum moss and sand can create the ideal conditions. Plant pitcher plants in clusters to create an impactful visual and mimic their natural growing conditions.
Container Gardens: Pitcher plants can be grown in containers, allowing you to control their growing conditions more precisely. Large containers or troughs can be converted into miniature bog gardens, adding an intriguing element to your patio or deck.
Accent Plants: The unique shape and color of pitcher plants make them ideal accent plants. Use them to add interest to parts of your garden that have consistent moisture. Just be sure they are not crowded out by larger plants as they need good light levels.
Combination with Other Bog Plants: Pitcher plants pair well with other bog plants. Consider planting them with other moisture-loving plants like iris, ferns, or rushes. Floating aquatic plants can also provide an interesting contrast in a water garden setting.
Educational Corner: Given their unusual carnivorous nature, pitcher plants are great for educational purposes. Consider creating a small carnivorous plant corner in your garden, combining them with other insect-eating plants like Venus flytraps or sundews. This can be a great talking point and learning space for kids.
When selecting companion plants for Pitcher Plants, it’s crucial to consider their natural boggy, acidic environment. Here are some plants that thrive in similar conditions:
Venus Flytrap (Dionaea muscipula): These carnivorous plants share similar conditions to pitcher plants and can add a fascinating touch to your bog garden.
Sundews (Drosera spp.): Another type of carnivorous plant, sundews thrive in boggy soils and can complement the look of your pitcher plants.
Bog Rosemary (Andromeda polifolia): This shrub enjoys acidic, moist soil conditions like the pitcher plant, and it adds a splash of color with its pink flowers.
Water Iris (Iris spp.): Iris varieties that enjoy moist to wet soil can make a stunning backdrop to the pitcher plants.
Water Lilies (Nymphaea spp.): If your pitcher plants are located near a pond, water lilies can add a beautiful and colorful touch.
Horsetails (Equisetum hyemale): This plant can add a contrasting texture to your garden with its reed-like foliage. It enjoys wet soils and can tolerate a range of light conditions.
Marsh Marigold (Caltha palustris): These plants produce cheerful yellow flowers and are at home in bog gardens.
Cattails (Typha spp.): These tall, water-loving plants can provide a dramatic backdrop to your pitcher plants. Be careful, though, as they can be invasive in some areas.
Cotton Grass (Eriophorum spp.): This sedge forms tufts of cotton-like white flowers, adding texture to your bog garden.
Remember, the key is to mimic the natural habitat of pitcher plants as much as possible. The plants you choose should be able to handle consistently moist or wet, acidic soils and full to partial sun exposure.
Sarracenia can be grown successfully in a bog garden or planter if the following requirements are respected.
Sunlight: Most pitcher plants enjoy full sun – at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight during the growing season. They develop their best colors in very bright light. Without enough sun, they will become weak, display poor color, and eventually die. Saracenia purpurea, however, enjoys shading from the intense afternoon sun.
Soil: Sarracenia require constantly moist-wet, nutrient-poor acidic soil. The soil is typically a sand/peat mix, usually sand-dominated.
Water: Pitcher plants prefer consistently wet or damp soil conditions. Water them thoroughly and frequently, ensuring the soil never dries out. They prefer rainwater, distilled water, or reverse osmosis water, as tap water often contains minerals that can harm them. Sarracenia should be planted 5-6 inches (12-15 cm) above the water table of the bog garden. They can tolerate very wet, even submerged conditions, for weeks at a time.
Wind Protection: Shelter your Sarracenia plants from strong winds if you want to grow some of the taller species and hybrids.
Temperature and Humidity: While specific requirements can vary by species, most pitcher plants like warm, humid conditions during the growing season and cooler temperatures in winter. Many Sarracenia species require a winter dormancy period with temperatures around 35-50°F (2-10°C).
Feeding: As carnivorous plants, Sarracenia get most of their nutrients from insects they trap and digest. It’s usually not necessary to feed them, but if you’re keeping them indoors and they don’t catch many insects, you can provide the occasional small insect.
Pot and Container: The most common way to grow Sarracenia is in pots sitting in water. Use a deep pot to accommodate the plant’s long roots. Ensure the pot has drainage holes to prevent water logging and potential root rot. For mature specimen plants, pots that are 6-8 inches wide (15-20 cm) work best. The pots should always sit in about 2 inches (5 cm) of water. Sarracenia should never be allowed to dry out.
Pruning: Prune off dead or dying pitchers to keep the plant looking its best and prevent potential disease problems.
Salt: Pitcher plants are particularly sensitive to salt in the water supply. Flush out the plants with extra water 2-3 times a season to wash away the salt concentrations or use rain, distilled, or de-ionized water to prevent this issue.
Sarracenia species hybridize and produce fertile offspring freely. Since Sarracenia hybrids can hybridize further, there are today thousands of Sarracenia hybrids, each with its growing preferences.
Remember, the exact needs of your pitcher plant can vary depending on the specific species, so it’s a good idea to research the requirements of your particular plant. It’s also essential to be patient with pitcher plants. They can be slow growers and may take some time to establish and produce their remarkable pitchers.
Andersphoto, Shutterstock
| Hardiness |
3 - 10 |
|---|---|
| Plant Type | Perennials |
| Genus | Sarracenia |
| Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
| Season of Interest |
Spring (Early, Mid, Late) Summer (Early, Mid, Late) Fall |
| Height |
6" - 3' (15cm - 90cm) |
| Maintenance | Low |
| Water Needs | High |
| Soil Type | Loam, Sand |
| Soil pH | Acid |
| Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Poorly Drained |
| Native Plants | United States, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Southeast, Northeast, California, Midwest, Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Virginia, Florida, Alabama, West Virginia, Georgia, Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina, Mississippi, Louisiana |
| Landscaping Ideas | Patio And Containers, Bog Gardens, Water Gardens |
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Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.
Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.
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