Sarracenia psittacina

** Currently dormant until March

Sarracenia psittacina, also known as the Parrot pitcher plant, is a fascinating carnivorous plant found in several states including Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana. This species of Sarracenia exhibits unique characteristics and requires specific conditions for optimal growth.

Sun:
As much sun as possible. These do not do well indoors. The plants still need sun for photosynthesis. The plants catch insects for nutrients. That's why you don’t add nutrients to the soil.

Water:
Lots and lots of water. Place the pot in a shallow tray and always keep up to 2” of water in the tray. You can not over water this plant. Be careful of city water and well water, if the salt content is too high it can build up and kill the plant. Distilled and Rainwater is the easiest water source to obtain. Growing outside reduces this concern as the rain comes and leeches the salts out.

Soil:
A simple mix of a peat and perlite will work for any carnivorous plant. Beware of products with added nutrients, enrichment, or “Food” this in the soil will kill a carnivorous plant. Avoid Miracle-Gro or similar brands. It is wonderful for other plants but deadly for a carnivorous one.

Winter-care

These are generally winter hardy plants. Carnivorous plants will undergo a winter dormancy. For Venus Fly Traps and Sarracenia it is required that they stay outside all winter to have a dormancy. When temperatures dip below 15F it is time to bring them inside a cool garage to allow them to continue dormancy. 

Feeding

These plants do not need to be fed like animals do. They will catch all the food they need. If you catch a bug for fun, go ahead and feed it!