Common butterwort
Pinguicula vulgaris · Lentibulariaceae
The gardener's calendar
Ideal time to plant common butterwort: set it out when the soil is neither frozen nor waterlogged, and water generously as it establishes.
ID card
- Foliage
- Evergreen in basal rosette
- Flowering
- April to June, violet or purple flowers
- Adult size
- 5 to 10 cm in height
- Growth
- Slow
- Hardiness
- Very hardy, down to -20 °C
- Origin
- Northern and central Europe, wetlands
- Soil type
- Acidic, moist, poor in nutrients
- Particularity
- Carnivorous plant, traps insects
Care
Watering
Keep the substrate constantly moist without ever letting it dry out. Use rainwater or distilled water, as this plant is sensitive to lime and minerals. During dry periods, check moisture regularly and increase watering if necessary. Avoid wetting the foliage directly.
Light Exposure
Prefer bright light, in partial shade or indirect light. Butterwort tolerates shaded areas but appreciates sufficient light to thrive. Protect from intense direct sunlight in summer, especially in Mediterranean climates.
Soil and Substrate
Use a very acidic mixture (sphagnum, peat, coarse sand) without rich organic matter. Ensure excellent drainage while maintaining moisture, which seems contradictory but is achievable with a light alluvial substrate. Renew the substrate every 2 to 3 years.
Fertilizer
No fertilizer should be applied. Butterwort catches insects itself for nutrition and external nutrient input could damage its sticky leaves. Let the plant feed naturally in a humid environment.
Pruning and Maintenance
No pruning is necessary. Simply remove dead or damaged leaves at the end of winter. The plant naturally forms a compact rosette and does not require special management.
Diseases and Pests
This plant is generally robust but can suffer from excess lime or water too rich in minerals, causing browning of the leaves. Root rot occurs if the substrate remains stagnant. Ensure good aeration and balanced moisture to prevent these issues.
Did you know?
Common butterwort is a fascinating small carnivorous plant: its leaves produce a sticky mucilage that traps flying insects, which it then digests to extract nutrients. This remarkable adaptation allows it to colonize nutrient-poor areas, such as the acidic peatlands of northern Europe, where few other plants can survive.
Where to buy it
Plant in spring or early autumn, avoiding spells of intense heat. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, April, May, September.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
- BladderwortUtricularia vulgaris
- Utricularia intermediaUtricularia intermedia
- Utricularia australisUtricularia australis
- Pale butterwortPinguicula lusitanica
- Utricularia gibbaUtricularia gibba
- Horned bladderwortUtricularia cornuta
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.