If you happen to be interested in Butterwort anatomy and how to grow it you’ve come to the right place. Butterwort, or what you scientifically know as Pinguicula, is not like your typical carnivorous plant. Unlike the usual Venus flytrap or Pitcher plant, who appears as if creatures straight out of nightmares, this carnivorous plant has an allure to it, looking almost as innocent and as pretty as any other ornamental succulent.
Add to that the lovely flower it sprouts when the conditions are right, and you’d never think the butterwort as a deceptive, insect-trapping, flesh-eating plant. Place a butterwort side by side with a succulent plant, for instance, a sunburst or an Echeveria, and it will not look out of place. That’s why many gardeners and plant collectors prefer the butterwort plant as an exotic addition to their garden. Caring for Butterworts, however, requires a different technique in contrast to other carnivorous plants.
Here’s are some articles from our own collection related to Carnivorous plant care and growing tips along with Butterworts.
If you are planning to add “pings” to your plant collection, it would be best to start with other carnivorous plants to familiarize yourself on how to care for them properly. However, if your fascination with carnivorous plants ends with the butterwort then read on. We will discuss some of the critical factors in successfully growing Pinguculas.
The Anatomy of a Carnivorous Butterwort
We can find Butterworts mostly in tropical regions such as the Caribbean and Central America. However, the country where most of its species and varieties are available is Mexico, hosting about more than 90 species to date. Although the plants usually thrive the best in warm temperatures, they are an adaptable species capable of surviving in colder conditions, with some species that exist in the northernmost part of North America and colder countries of Europe.
Pinguicula is a name of Latin origin which literally translates to “little greasy one.” We can characterize this tiny plant by its broad leaves in rosette formation that are covered with small glandular hairs. These small follicles secrete a greasy substance or mucilage that is sticky to the touch, hence the name little greasy one.
You may also find interesting tips in regards to one of our articles about the Five (5) Coolest Variety/Cultivars of Butterwort Plant. Read Now >>
-Butterwort Leaf Structure
The leaves of Pinguiculas come in a variety of shapes and sizes, but most of them grow rosette-like leaf structure. Some species have broad leaves and could span half a foot across. Some only grow as wide as a few inches. Other rare varieties have long, narrow, and upright leaves.
Butterwort leaves are usually green; although variations in color do occur from species to species. For instance, some varieties grow leaves with a reddish tint, which is usually caused by a high concentration of sunlight. Also, some curl their leaves to prevent insects from being washed away by water.
-Butterwort Glandular Hairs
What’s unique about the leaves of Butterwort plants is that they shimmer when you expose them to sunlight. It is because of the sticky mucilage that the leaves produce, which essentially refracts the sunlight.
Each leaf has a covering of thousands of glandular hairs. These translucent follicles are responsible for the secretion of a sticky substance called the mucilage, which is basically what traps the insects and bugs in place. The shimmering effect is what attracts the plant’s prey- insects and bugs. The mucilage is a potent substance capable of gripping and ensnaring insects. The more the insect struggles, the more it comes in contact with more hair strands with its own mucilage. In the end, the insect will become covered with the glue, making movement impossible.
-Butterwort Flowers
The flashiest part of a carnivorous Butterwort is its flowers, which is probably what most collectors like in the first place.
The bloom is like a tiny orchid in appearance. Sitting atop a long and slender stalk, the flower comes in a variety of vibrant colors – purple, pink, violet, red, white, yellow, and green.
Growing and Caring for Butterwort Plant
-Butterwort Growing Environment
As Butterworts are generally tropical plants, you can best place them in areas receiving an adequate amount of sunlight. The ideal location is, of course, outside in a garden, but you can place them beside a window. However, make sure enough light is passing through. To encourage lush growth of the foliage, you should maintain the temperature between 60 to 75 degrees F.
In terms of humidity, make sure that the soil is not too dump or flooded with water. Remember, these plants grow in the wild under harsh climate condition, which includes dry soil and hot temperatures. Exposing them to too much humidity can lead to rotting leaves, which is not the scenario you want.
-Butterwort Light Requirement
The ideal source of light for Pinguiculas is the sun. Direct morning sunlight keeps the plant healthy, so make sure that they receive their daily dose of vitamin D. However, during the summer when afternoon sun could become too extreme, they could get stressed causing the leaves to shrink. To avoid this from happening, transfer them to an area with adequate shade.
If you live in an area where the sun does not shine all the time, you could use artificial lights. Fluorescent light with 40 watts power rating is usually sufficient enough to satiate a Butterwort’s light requirement. Place the light directly above the plant, with a space of about 12 inches or so. In general, they you should get light 14 hours a day all year round.
-Butterwort Soil Condition
Carnivorous plants generally need low nutrient soil. The same is valid with butterwort. The best soil to use is a mix of sphagnum and perlite in the ratio of 1:2. Some growers add in mix vermiculite, but if it’s not available in your area, the sphagnum-perlite mixture should suffice. Never use potting soil to plant Butterworts.
Also, it is essential to note that adding fertilizers is a big no-no. Instead of promoting healthy growth, it could lead to the plant dying. Another most favorable practice is the yearly replacement of the soil, which helps in preventing mineral and nutrient buildup.
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-Butterwort Watering
When caring for Pinguiculas, too much humidity and water should be avoided. If the soil is overwatered, the butterworts could rot and die. However, letting the soil too dry could also lead to weak growth as well.
You should keep the soil moisture content at the minimum by watering the plant only when the soil starts to get dry. Also, place the plant in a container with excellent drainage. It will aid in removing most of the water. Besides that, make sure that the water you use is low in mineral content. Watering could lead to mineral buildup in the long run, and too much of it is harmful to carnivorous plants
