Cephalotus follicularis aka Albany Pitcherplant

Cephalotus follicularis has the common name Australian pitcher plant. It belongs to the plant family Cephalotaceae. This perennial lives for more than one year. It comes from southwestern Western Australia, in a subtropical region. It grows in small clumps close to the ground. The RHS says it forms a mat. Chicago Botanic Garden lists its shape as upright. Tall flower stems rise above its low leaves.

This plant is semi-evergreen and grows two kinds of leaves. In spring, it grows flat leaves that do not trap prey. Hairs cover these bright green leaves. Its other leaves form pitchers, which give the plant its name. Each pitcher is about 0.07–0.13 feet [0.02–0.04 metres] long. Strong sunlight can turn the pitchers dark red. In more shade, the pitchers stay green. A ring of 24 ribs or teeth lines each pitcher opening.

In summer, tall stems bear small white to pale green flowers. The stems can reach about 2 feet [0.6 metres]. Chicago Botanic Garden lists blooms from May through August. The RHS gives a full-grown height of 1.6–3.3 feet [0.5–1 metre]. This is more than the flower-stem height in its description. It lists a spread of 0.3–1.6 feet [0.1–0.5 metres]. Plants take five to ten years to reach full size.

Grow this plant in full sun or part shade. The RHS says to use an acidic growing medium with few nutrients. Its wider soil list includes neutral soil, too. It also lists sand and loam as soil types. Keep the medium moist, but let excess water drain away. The RHS advises a range of 5 to 32°C. It gives an H2 rating: the plant cannot survive freezing. Chicago Botanic Garden lists USDA zones 10–12. These two systems rate hardiness in different ways. Their ratings do not mean the same temperature limits.

The pitchers make this plant useful as a pot-grown specimen. The RHS lists patios as places to grow it, too. Chicago Botanic Garden lists specimen use and growth beneath taller plants. The plant needs no pruning. Growers can sow seeds or split clumps to raise new plants. They can also take root cuttings or leaf cuttings. Scale insects may attack the plant. The RHS reports few disease problems on the whole.