Sarracenia Care

Sarracenia (American Pitcher Plant), are cold-hardy perennial plants that can be grown outdoors. They are relatively easy to grow and will thrive if the basics are met. Here's a quick overview.

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  1. Full Sun 
    Give them full sun all day long.The more direct sun they get, the better.

  2. Peat Moss
    Plant in peat. It's acidic, nutrient free and retains moisture. Peat moss can be mixed with perlite in a 1:1 ratio for additional aeration. 

  3. Clean Water
    The lower in dissolved solids and minerals, the better.*
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During the growing season (spring - fall) you can keep the plants sitting in a tray of water. The plants will actively grow and produce new traps during this time. 

In the latter half of fall, the plants will begin transition to dormancy. (This could be sooner or later, depending on the species.) Older pitchers will start to brown and dry up. This is completely normal. Keep plants wet during this time.

In winter, plants will be dormant. Pitchers will be dead during this time, appearing brown and crispy. You can trim the dead leaves off, or remove before active growth in the spring. The plants do not have to be sitting in water, but it is important to keep the soil moist during dormancy. If you expect temperatures to drop below 20F for extended amounts of time, consider protecting your plants by covering them with a tarp, mulch, or moving them to a protected area. 

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*Sarracenia need water that is low in minerals. Water should be less than 50 PPM (parts per million.) A water TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) meter can be used to obtain PPM readings and can be found at your local hardware store or readily online.