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 x excellens is an attractive plant that has green pitchers that have red veins and white spots near the top. The deep red flowers appear in early spring. Sarracenia x excellens is a great choice for a sunny conservatory or greenhouse. There's no need to feed sarracenias with conventional plant food – the plants will feed from insects that are attracted to the traps. If these are in short supply you can feed the plant with dead insects.
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Sarracenia and wildlife
Sarracenia has no particular known value to wildlife in the UK.
