Sarracenia x farnhamii

Sarracenia x farnhamii is a carnivorous pitcher plant that forms tall, upright pitchers (traps) with green bases adorned with broad red veins extending up the tubes that are crowned with broad and ruffled hoods. In spring, red flowers, resembling flying saucers, rise atop leafless stalks with new pitchers following. As temperatures drop, the pitchers take on deeper reds and maroons. Insects are drawn in by the pitchers and get caught inside. Once they succumb, digestion begins. Plants need an acidic, humusy medium that is constantly damp but not watery. Soils must never dry out, but plant crowns should not sit in water. Use rain or distilled water in regions with hard water. Use a mixture of 50% peat and 50% perlite,vermiculite, or coarse sand. Plants need cold temperatures for winter dormancy. Plant in bogs, wet places or in pots that are set in water. Attracts insects. Photo credit Wikimedia

Carnivorous plants survive best in containers. Can also be grown in a closed terrarium! Plant and grow in moist to wet soil mix: 50% peat moss, 50% perlite. Water with pure, low mineral water. Do not fertilize or force feed.