Purple pitcher plant Sarracenia purpurea
Purple pitcher plant (Sarracenia purpurea) is an evergreen perennial flowering plant in the Sarraceniaceae family, native to Bogs of eastern North America, from the Gulf coast to Labrador and the Canadian prairies. It grows 15–40 cm (6–16 in) tall and 20–40 cm (8–16 in) wide, wants full sun and high water, and is hardy to about -30 °C (-22 °F). Space plants about 30 cm (12 in) apart.
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Purple pitcher plant at a glance
| Type | Perennial flowering plant, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Sarraceniaceae |
| Mature height | 15–40 cm (6–16 in) |
| Mature spread | 20–40 cm (8–16 in) |
| Spacing | 30 cm (12 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | High; drought tolerance none, waterlogging tolerance high |
| Soil pH | 3.5–5.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About -30 °C (-22 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 4) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 34 °C (93 °F) |
| Flowering | from about May for 3–6 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Bogs of eastern North America, from the Gulf coast to Labrador and the Canadian prairies |
| Common in gardens of | 🇺🇸 United States, 🇨🇦 Canada, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇮🇪 Ireland, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇳🇱 Netherlands |
| Invasive in | Ireland and Britain (naturalised in some bogs), Switzerland: check local rules before planting |
Is Purple pitcher plant toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Not poisonous.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Purple pitcher plant
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and high water.
Keep apart or take care
- caution With English lavender: Acid-loving plants need pH 4.5–5.5, lavender prefers neutral to alkaline soil; one bed cannot suit both. Evidence B
Questions about Purple pitcher plant
- How far apart should I plant Purple pitcher plant?
- About 30 cm (12 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 20–40 cm (8–16 in).
- Does Purple pitcher plant need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Purple pitcher plant need?
- High water. Drought tolerance is none and waterlogging tolerance high.
- How cold-hardy is Purple pitcher plant?
- It tolerates about -30 °C (-22 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 4.
- When does Purple pitcher plant flower?
- From about May for 3–6 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Purple pitcher plant poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Not poisonous.
- What grows well with Purple pitcher plant?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Purple pitcher plant. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (high).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- International Carnivorous Plant Society: cultivation and species guides, International Carnivorous Plant Society
- VASCAN: Database of Vascular Plants of Canada, Canadensys / Université de Montréal Biodiversity Centre
Notes and assumptions
- A carnivorous bog plant: grow it in wet, nutrient-poor peat and sand, water only with rain or distilled water, never feed the soil, and give it full sun.
- Squat, curved, purple-veined pitchers that sit on the moss and fill with rainwater, where insects drown and are broken down by a tiny community of mosquito and midge larvae living only in these pitchers. Very hardy; the provincial flower of Newfoundland and Labrador.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Cobra lily (California pitcher plant) Darlingtonia californica
- Sunflower Helianthus annuus
- French marigold Tagetes patula
- English lavender Lavandula angustifolia
- Zinnia Zinnia elegans
- Cosmos Cosmos bipinnatus
- Purple coneflower Echinacea purpurea
- Foxglove Digitalis purpurea