Cobra Lily Seeds
Ease to Grow: Moderate to difficult
Dormancy: Required
Native Range: Serpentine streams of Western coastal CA and OR
Zones: 6-9 (5-10)
Darlingtonia californica or the Cobra Lily is in a class by itself among North American pitcher plants. It's tall, twisting lime-green tubes form a bulbous hood with numerous large windows. An appendage resembling a forked tongue hangs from the opening on the underside of the hood. Generally a lime-green, it develops a red tint in full sun. The hoods are richly laced with large white areoles (windows). Its twisting traps are the most complex of all pitcher plants. Darlingtonia is clump forming, and with underground stolons, develop a nice colony in time. It grows in serpentine gravel soils along cold, fast running mountain streams in zones 6-9. Darlingtonia struggles in cultivation where its roots are not kept wet and cool (50s°F). Despite this challenge, the Cobra Lily is a curious, and much sought-after specimen. Flowers are yellow and bell-shaped, resembling small Sarracenia. The small flowers are green and red. They generally bloom from April to July before the pitchers fully develop. Winter foliage stays green. Darlingtonia is named in honor of William Darlington, a 19th century botanist from Pennsylvania. It is a monospecific species. This stock is a mix of coastal and mountain forms of Darlingtonia. Our choice based on availability.
Seed Packs are fresh harvested in Fall, and stored refrigerated. Seed count is approximate, but reliable.
Note: For higher germination cold moist stratification is required. All seeds are produced from open pollination within our collection. Some cross pollination among different cultivars may occur. Growing carnivorous plants from seeds is best suited for the experienced and patient grower. See our webpage on Growing CPs from Seeds.
Height: 8"- 40"
Plant Type: Perennial, temperate
Soil: Live Sphagnum Moss, Nepenthes Mix or All-Purpose Mix
Light: Bright indoors, full sun to partial sun outdoors
Use: Bog garden, greenhouse and indoors. Excellent accent plant.
