Growing Pinguicula or Butterworts

Background Information

Pinguicula's are yet another USA group of plants that reach from the Andes to as far north as the Arctic regions. They are only found in areas that are boggy, marshy and wet. Their common name is butterwort and if you've touched the leaves of one you'll know why, they feel greasy to the touch (hence butter). This 'greasiness' is caused by the thousands of tiny glands on the surface of each leaf, each gland secretes a globule of glue like substance which feels greasy to the touch and is what traps insects. Pinguicula's are essentially living flypapers and once an insect lands on the leaf and begins struggling the plant releases more of the sticky substance and the insect makes things worse for itself. After a short while the trapped insect will die and the plant will begin dissolving the body using digestive enzymes which are secreted by the leaf. Sometimes the leaf which has a trapped insect will curl up at the edges as if to keep the juices on the leaf.

Butterworts form flat rosettes of pale green leaves which are tinged pinkish when new and produce white, yellow or more commonly pinkish flowers singly on slender stems. They make excellent windowsill plants and will amaze you with the number of insects they can catch. Temperature This varies by the variety but the commonly grown varieties are cool growing and require a minimum winter temperature of 5C (40F). These plants, at least the commonly cultivated ones, are not hardy in the UK and will not usually survive the winter months so if you grow them outdoors you will need to bring them inside for the winter. BUY ONE

Humidity Butterworts are happy to grow in ambient humidity and require no special treatment in this department. Light They like a good bright or sunny position such as a kitchen windowsill and will catch flies all summer. Shade only from the harshest sunlight. Compost The best potting mix for Pinguicula consists of a mixture of 40% peat, 40% grit/sharp sand or vermiculite and 10% charcoal. Swift draining whilst very moisture retentive. Watering They should be kept wet from March until November by standing the pot in an inch of clean water which should be changed every two weeks and kept damp for the remainder of the year, never allow them to dry out.  Feeding No feeding is required or recommended as the plants can catch enough food for themselves and any excess may kill the plant. Flowers Pinguicula grandiflora will also produce these wonderfully dainty cerise flowers on thin, elegant stems right through the summer - a real bonus!