Pinguicula ehlersiae
Pinguicula ehlersiae
All plants ship bare-root.
Pinguicula ehlersiae is one of the most popular Mexican butterworts and a parent of many well-loved hybrids, including 'Weser'. It comes from San Luis Potosí and Hidalgo, where it grows on gypsum hillsides at 1,200 to 1,650 m, and was described in 1982 by Speta and Fuchs from a plant collected by Renate Ehlers, whom it's named after.
It's grown for its pink, star-shaped rosettes: pointed leaves stack in neat layers, each edged in white, and turn from olive green to dusky pink in bright light. We also grow several named forms of the species, including 'Mighty Mouse', 'Tolantongo', 'Victoria' and 'Ixmiquilpan'.
How to keep it happy
Full care guide →Bright light, but not harsh midday sun — a windowsill, a grow light, or both. Shorter autumn days push some species into a non-carnivorous succulent rosette.
Rainwater, distilled or RO water. Stand the pot in a tray with a few centimetres of water and let it run dry between waterings; we often leave ours dry for 2 to 5 days. Water less through the winter succulent phase.
1 part peat moss to 1 part perlite. Sand or fine grit can stand in for some of the perlite. Use peat with no added fertilizer or additives, and a plastic or glazed pot.
The sticky leaves catch gnats and fruit flies on their own. If insects are scarce, mist the leaves with a diluted liquid fertilizer. Never fertilize the soil.
No true dormancy — shorter autumn days trigger many species into a non-carnivorous succulent rosette. Water sparingly until new sticky leaves return in spring.
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Will this exact plant be the one I receive?
No. Each plant is an individual, so appearance will vary. You'll receive the same species and a comparable size and maturity to what is shown on the product page.
How is it packed and when does it ship?
Orders leave the nursery every Monday. Plants are packed in damp paper towel and bagged to retain humidity. Order by Friday night to guarantee a spot on Monday's dispatch.
What if it arrives damaged or dead?
Send clear, well-lit photos within 24 hours of delivery and we'll review the issue. We'll provide a replacement or store credit where covered by our Live Arrival Guarantee. Some leaf yellowing, browning or die-back after shipping is normal.
Can I add something to an order I've already placed?
Yes, as long as it hasn't shipped. Reply to your order confirmation email with what you'd like to add, and we'll update the order and email you a secure link to pay the difference.
What water does it need?
Rain, distilled or reverse-osmosis water is safest. Tap water only works if it tests under 50–100 ppm, depending on the plant; otherwise, minerals can build up in the soil and damage the roots.
Can I grow it indoors?
It depends on the species. Butterworts, Cape sundews and Nepenthes are indoor plants: they can spend summer outside, but must come in before the first frost. Venus flytraps and Sarracenia need full sun outdoors and a cold winter rest that a heated room can't provide.
Do I need to feed it?
No. Like any plant, carnivorous plants make their own food through photosynthesis. The insects they catch act as a natural fertilizer, adding extra nutrients that boost growth, but they aren't needed to survive.
