california pitcherplant
Darlingtonia californica
RHS AGM 1993
USDA zones7 to 9
SunHandles full sun to partial sun
WaterHandles moist to wet soil
Size1 to 3 feet tall8 to 12 inches wide
- Growth rate
- Slow
- Habit
- Herb , subshrub
- Bloom season
- Spring, summer
- Bloom color
- Red , yellow , green
- Foliage color
- Green
Garden uses
Attracts
Notes
California pitcherplant (Darlingtonia californica) is a perennial carnivorous plant for accent use. It is hardy to USDA zone 7, or down to 0°F (-18°C). This plant likes full or part sun and moist to wet soil. It forms cobra-like pitchers with a tongue-like appendage that looks like a snake about to strike. Red flowers with green sepals hang from tall stems, and bees pollinate them. Protect it in winter from hard freezes.
Pairs well with Cape sundew, Wax myrtle, and Blue star creeper.
Native range
North America.