Sarracenia x 'Doreen's Colossus'

Sarracenia x ‘Doreen’s Colossus’ is one of the most impressive North American pitcher plant hybrids in cultivation. A towering cross (reportedly with Sarracenia flava ancestry), this plant produces massive, upright pitchers that regularly top 36 inches tall in ideal conditions. The traps are broad, flared, and fluted—like a trumpet on steroids—with exaggerated proportions that make it an instant focal point in any bog garden or collection.

The coloration is typically bright green with red veining and subtle blushing that deepens through the season, especially in strong light. It blooms in early spring with large, showy yellow flowers, then puts on a pitcher display that lasts well into fall. In many conditions, it sends up a strong second flush of traps in late summer.

This hybrid is as tough as it is dramatic. It thrives outdoors in full sun, in a peat-based bog setup or pot with excellent drainage and consistently moist soil. Like all temperate Sarracenia, it requires a cold winter dormancy to rest and reset for spring.

Care at a Glance

• Light: Full sun (6+ hours daily) for maximum size and color

• Water: Tray method; use distilled, rain, or RO water

• Soil: 1:1 peat moss and perlite or silica sand (no fertilizer)

• Dormancy: Requires cool winter dormancy (November–February)

• Growth Habit: Extra-large upright pitchers; very vigorous grower; yellow spring blooms

A Note on Watering (Bay Area growers):
Carnivorous plants typically require low-mineral water—but if you’re growing in the San Francisco Bay Area, you’re in luck! Our tap water comes from the Hetch Hetchy Reservoir and is low in dissolved solids, making it generally safe for most carnivorous plants. For extra caution, you can let it sit overnight before using.