Utricularia calycifida
Utricularia calycifida
Utricularia calycifida is a tropical terrestrial bladderwort from South America, known for its bright, striking flowers that vary naturally in colour and pattern.
It's easy to grow and spreads through slender runners, slowly filling a pot with an attractive mat. With prolific blooms and low-maintenance care, it's a real standout.
How to keep it happy
Full care guide →A wide range works, from full sun to fairly bright shade: a bright windowsill or a grow light on a 12 to 14 hour cycle. Bright light leads to noticeably more flowers.
Rainwater, distilled or RO water. Stand the pot in a tray of water, a couple of centimetres deep or up to about 1/4 of the way up the pot, and top it up as it evaporates.
2 to 3 parts peat moss to 1 part perlite or sand, kept constantly wet. Use peat with no added fertilizer or additives, and a plastic or glazed pot.
Tiny bladders in the wet soil catch microscopic prey on their own. A monthly mist of diluted liquid fertilizer on the leaves boosts growth and flowering.
None needed. Bladderworts grow year round indoors.
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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.
