Water
Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Use distilled, rainwater, or reverse osmosis water only, as tap water minerals can harm Sarracenia.
Allow the soil to dry slightly between waterings, especially during dormancy.
Also known as Common Pitcher Plant · Common Pitcherplant · Decumbent Pitcher Plant
Sarracenia purpurea, the Purple Pitcherplant, is a carnivorous perennial with striking purple-veined pitchers that trap insects for nutrients in boggy environments.
At-a-glance light, water, soil, and growing conditions from plant data
Full Sun
100% intensity
Requires at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily for best growth and color.
Consistent Moisture
75% intensity
Use distilled, rainwater, or RO water. Keep soil moist but not soggy.
Peat moss and sand
50% intensity
Variable
50% intensity
Prefers warm summers (20-30°C) and cool winters (0-10°C) for dormancy.
None (Carnivorous)
25% intensity
Feeds on insects; do not fertilize the soil. Occasionally feed with insects.
Safety information from plant toxicity data
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Toxic for humans | No 0/5 intensity |
| Toxic for pets | No 0/5 intensity |
| Edible | No |
None
Key traits and growing stats from plant data
Watering, pruning, propagation, and repotting details from plant data
Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Use distilled, rainwater, or reverse osmosis water only, as tap water minerals can harm Sarracenia.
Allow the soil to dry slightly between waterings, especially during dormancy.
Remove dead or dying pitchers at the base of the plant to prevent fungal growth and maintain a tidy appearance. This can be done anytime, but it's most effective after the growing season or before new growth emerges in spring.
Sarracenia purpurea can be propagated by division of mature rhizomes in spring. Alternatively, seeds can be sown in autumn or after stratification. Seed germination can be slow and may take several years.
Repot every 2-3 years in spring before new growth begins. Use a nutrient-poor, acidic potting mix, typically a 1:1 ratio of peat moss and perlite or horticultural sand. Ensure the pot has drainage holes.
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Monthly activity intensity for bloom and fruit across both hemispheres.
Flowering & fruiting calendar
Flowering & fruiting calendar
Photos of Purple Pitcherplant (Sarracenia purpurea)
Where Purple Pitcherplant (Sarracenia purpurea) is found
Density
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Common names and botanical synonyms
Botanical classification
| Rank | Name |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Division | Tracheophyta |
| Class | Magnoliopsida |
| Order | Ericales |
| Family | Sarraceniaceae |
| Genus | Sarracenia |
| Species | Sarracenia purpurea |
Similar in genus Sarracenia
Answers based on plant encyclopedia data
