Sarracenia x catesbaei
Sarracenia x catesbaei
All plants ship bare-root.
Sarracenia x catesbaei (S. flava x S. purpurea ssp. venosa) is a naturally occurring hybrid found where the two overlap in the southeastern US.
It's easy to spot by its dramatically flared rim (peristome), which also gives you a clear view into the pitcher to see what it's caught. Pitchers are upright but slightly curved, green to red with strong veining. A personal favourite in our collection.
How to keep it happy
Full care guide →Full sun: six or more hours of direct light outdoors. Intense light builds tall, upright, fully coloured pitchers.
Rainwater, distilled or RO water. Stand the pot in a tray filled 1/4 to 1/2 of the way up the pot, easing off as the season cools. Keep a couple of centimetres of water through dormancy.
1 to 3 parts peat moss to 1 part perlite. Use peat with no added fertilizer or additives, and a plastic or glazed pot.
Outdoors they catch plenty on their own. If insects are scarce, drop a small insect into a pitcher every few weeks, or add a slow-release Osmocote pellet to each new pitcher for bigger growth. Experienced growers can also attempt light root fertilization.
A true winter rest, roughly October through February. Pitchers brown and die back — that's normal, not a problem. Skip it several years running and plants weaken.
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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.
