Southern purple pitcher plant with low, cup-shaped pitchers and dark purple flowers

Sarracenia purpurea subsp. venosa bears cup-like leaves that grow 10 to 30 centimeters tall. The flowers emerge above the leaves and are dark purple.

The subspecies venosa differs from the subspecies purpurea in that they have different distribution ranges; venosa is found from New Jersey in the USA and southwards. Unlike the pitcher plants that have tall, tubular pitchers, the pitchers of the purpurea group are low and wide, and they collect rainwater inside where their prey drowns.

Care

Requires full sun. Use a nutrient-poor substrate of sphagnum moss and perlite or sand; never use regular potting soil or fertilizer.

Place the pot in a tray of water so that the substrate is kept constantly moist, and preferably water with distilled or rainwater.

The subspecies venosa comes from a warmer region than purpurea and is slightly less hardy, but can still be grown outdoors in southern Sweden with winter protection.

Winter dormancy is mandatory; the plant requires a cold resting period of 3 to 4 months to survive long-term.