Sarracenias, commonly known as pitcher plants, are carnivorous plants mainly from North America. They bear flowers that grow singly on tall leafless stalks and most have long tubular 'pitchers'. Inside these pitchers is a well of digestive fluid that breaks down prey, which is then absorbed by the plant. Sarracenias are perennial plants that should be grown in full sun in nutrient-poor, acidic compost such as a specialist peat-free sarracenia compost. Water from beneath by standing the pot in a tray of rainwater.
Sarracenia flava var. ornata has large traps coloured green with heavy purple-red veining on the lid and tube, and bright yellow flowers. For best results keep the compost moist at all times. There's no need to feed with conventional plant food – instead place dead or alive insects in the pitchers, which the plants will feed from.
In winter allow to die down and remove any browning foliage. Keep compost damp but don't stand in too much water. Reduce heat but don’t allow the plant to get too warm. Growing Sarracenia flava var. ornata in full sun will produce the best colouration.
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Sarracenia and wildlife
Sarracenia has no particular known value to wildlife in the UK.
