Yellow Butterwort
Ease to Grow: Difficult
Dormancy: Recommended
Native Range: Savannas of the Southeast Coastal Plain, N. America
Zones: 7-11 (6-12)
The Yellow Butterwort, Pinguicula lutea is named for its beautiful sulfur yellow flower. It is a perennial with bright pale green leaves that curl upward along the margins, and pointed leaf tips. The digestive glands on the leaf surface often glisten in the light, giving it a "slippery" look. It is a medium size butterwort, about 2-6" across with a rosette of sticky leaves. It prefers moist, not wet, sandy peat soils, with no standing water, and benefits from brief drier conditions for a few days. It is often associated with P. caerulea and P. pumila, but not P. ionantha, P. planifolia or P. primuliflora which favor wetter habitats. They benefit from the dappled light provided by growing among grasses and other plants. The brilliant yellow flower show in Spring. It can tolerate a light frost, but definitely prefers winters without it. There is no winter bud. The Yellow Butterwort is a delightful companion in the carnivorous collection with its flaming yellow flowers. It does well as a terrarium plant. This selection comes from leaf pulls or seed, and may show some natural variations.
Plants are shipped bare-root, wrapped in damp sphagnum moss. Transplanting is a challenge. Use a humidity dome, and initially saturated soil. Photographs are representative of the species, and not the specific plant shipped.
Height: 1" - 3+"
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. It is an excellent terrarium plant. Flowers frequently.
