Red Butterwort
Ease to Grow: Moderate
Dormancy: Recommended
Native Range: Savannas of the Gulf Coastal Plain, N. America.
Zones: 7-10 (6-11)
The Red or Chapman's Butterwort, Pinguicula planifolia, is named for is beautiful red, lance-shaped leaves. It is a warm-temperate perennial with red and green leaves and glistening digestive glands, when grown in full sun. It can be a large butterwort, about 2-6" across with a rosette of red sticky leaves. It prefers the very damp margins of peaty ponds and pools, with frequently standing water. Much wetter conditions that other butterworts. It is often associated with P. ionantha or P. primuliflora, but not P. lutea, P. caerulea or P. pumila which favor somewhat drier habitats. They benefit from the dappled light provided by growing among grasses and other plants. It flowers mid Spring with pretty pale violet flowers. It rarely tolerates a light frost, preferring warmer winters. There is no winter bud. The Red Butterwort is a colorful and curious addition in the carnivorous collection. This selection comes from seed, and will show some natural variations. P. planifolia is being considered for endangered species status.
Plants are shipped bare-root, wrapped in damp sphagnum moss. Photographs are representative of species, and not the specific plant shipped.
Height: 1" - 4+"
Plant Type: Perennial, warm-temperate
Soil: Long-fiber Sphagnum or All-purpose Mix
Light: Bright to partial bright indoors, full to partial sun outdoors
Use: Grows well in the protected bog garden in summer, greenhouse and indoors.
