Horned bladderwort
Utricularia cornuta · Lentibulariaceae
The gardener's calendar
Ideal time to plant horned bladderwort: set it out when the soil is neither frozen nor waterlogged, and water generously as it establishes.
ID card
- Family
- Lentibulariaceae
- Plant type
- Aquatic carnivorous herbaceous plant
- Foliage
- Deciduous to semi-evergreen
- Flowering
- Summer (July to September)
- Flower color
- Bright yellow
- Adult size
- 5 to 15 cm in height
- Origin
- North America (wetlands and peatlands)
- Hardiness
- Moderate (-5 to -10°C depending on variety)
Care
Watering
Utricularia cornuta grows in soft, low-mineralized water in constantly humid conditions. Keep the substrate thoroughly wet without excessive stagnation. Use filtered, distilled, or rainwater, as hard tap water can damage this sensitive carnivorous plant.
Light exposure
Place this bladderwort in bright, indirect light, ideally 6 to 8 hours of daylight daily. It appreciates good brightness but dislikes direct, scorching afternoon rays, especially in summer.
Substrate and growing medium
Grow it in a highly draining and acidic mix: sphagnum, blonde peat, and perlite (1:1:1). Utricularia cornuta cannot tolerate rich or chalky soils. A poor, acidic substrate promotes growth and trap development.
Fertilizer
Do not fertilize: this carnivore gets its nutrients from the insects it traps. Any external fertilizer could burn delicate tissues and disrupt its balance.
Maintenance and pruning
Little upkeep needed. Remove dead or yellowed parts as the season progresses. Avoid excessive handling, as its microscopic traps are fragile and naturally catch prey.
Pests and diseases
These plants are rarely affected if conditions remain correct. Stagnant, poorly oxygenated water can promote rot. Monitor humidity and air circulation to prevent fungal growth.
Did you know?
Utricularia cornuta is a sophisticated carnivorous plant equipped with tiny traps shaped like small utricles (hence its name): these microscopic bladders create a vacuum that sucks in aquatic microorganisms in 1/50th of a second. Though tiny and discreet, this bladderwort is formidable against its aquatic prey and has fascinated botanists since the 19th century.
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
- Common butterwortPinguicula vulgaris
- BladderwortUtricularia vulgaris
- Utricularia intermediaUtricularia intermedia
- Utricularia australisUtricularia australis
- Pale butterwortPinguicula lusitanica
- Utricularia gibbaUtricularia gibba
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.