Sarracenia psittacina

Sarracenia psittacina is a low-growing, ground-hugging species native to the southeastern United States. Unlike its taller cousins, S. psittacina forms a dense rosette of short, curved pitchers that sprawl horizontally across the soil. The unusual, inflated pitchers resemble the head of a parrot—beak-like lid and all—and are beautifully patterned in shades of green, red, and burgundy with intricate white fenestrations.

This species traps prey through a network of internal hairs that guide insects downward through a narrow, domed passage where escape is nearly impossible. It’s especially adapted for capturing crawling insects and aquatic prey during seasonal flooding.

Care Guide

• Light: Full sun is ideal. Provide 6–8 hours of direct sunlight daily for best color and compact growth.

• Water: Keep soil constantly wet using distilled, rain, or reverse osmosis water—or San Francisco tap water, which is safe due to the Hetch Hetchy system. Use the tray method to maintain consistent saturation.

• Humidity: Prefers moderate to high humidity. Easily satisfied in outdoor settings or terrarium-like microclimates.

• Temperature: Thrives in 60–85°F. Requires a winter dormancy period at cooler temps (35–50°F) for 3–4 months.

• Soil: Standard carnivorous plant mix—1:1 sphagnum peat and perlite or sand. No fertilizer or compost.

• Fertilizer: Not necessary. The plant catches its own food and is sensitive to added nutrients.

Blooms

In early spring, S. psittacina produces a single nodding red flower on a tall stalk that rises above the pitchers. Flowers are fragrant, long-lasting, and often appear just before new pitchers emerge.

How to Grow Indoors (San Francisco)

Sarracenia psittacina is not suited for long-term indoor growing unless you have strong supplemental lighting and the ability to provide winter dormancy. It may be grown short-term in a bright window but should be returned outdoors or to a cold space during dormancy months.

How to Grow Outdoors (San Francisco)

This species thrives outdoors in the Bay Area in full sun. Excellent for shallow bog containers, tray setups, or grouped in planters with other Sarracenia. Keep constantly moist and allow to go dormant in winter. Leave outside year-round unless frost is expected. In colder microclimates, move to a cold frame or unheated garage in winter.

Pet Safe:

Yes — Non-toxic to pets. Pitchers are not harmful to animals or humans.