Darlingtonia californica aka California Pitcherplant

Darlingtonia californica belongs to the pitcher plant family. It is evergreen and eats insects. This perennial lives for more than one year. Gardeners call it cobra lily or California pitcher plant. It comes from southwest Oregon and northern California. It grows by mountain streams and in bogs near the coast. The soil in these wet sites provides few nutrients. Loss of habitat and plant collecting threaten wild plants.

The plant grows at a slow pace. Its green leaves form a rosette, or ring. RHS gives its height as about 1.3 feet (0.4 metres). Its garden size range reaches 1.6 feet (0.5 metres) in height and spread. It takes two to five years to reach full size. Each leaf forms a tube with a curved hood. Red veins mark the hood. A reddish appendage hangs from it. This shape gives the plant its cobra name. Nectar draws insects to a hole beneath the hood. Hairs point down and stop trapped insects from climbing out. Microbes break down their bodies in fluid inside the leaf. The plant takes up the nutrients this process frees.

One flower hangs from the tip of a bare stalk. NCSU lists bloom time as April through August. RHS describes blooms shaped like bells. They measure about 0.2 feet (0.06 metres) across. The narrow sepals are yellow-green. The petals range from reddish-brown to purple, with dark veins. Seed capsules form in late summer and early autumn. They shed their seeds through the winter.

Away from its cool native range, this plant needs close care. Heat, damp air, and moisture at the roots affect growth. Outdoors, RHS calls for full sun and moist acid soil. The soil must drain well. RHS also lists neutral soil, sand, and loam. NCSU describes wetter soil rich in organic matter. Under glass, give strong light but shield it from hot sun. In winter, keep it cool, moist, and well aired. Water it with lime-free water. RHS gives its UK hardiness rating as H3. NCSU lists USDA zones 7 through 10.

Its hooded leaves make it an accent plant for containers. RHS also lists it for patios. It needs no pruning. Grow new plants from seeds. RHS reports few disease problems but names some possible pests. These are scale insects, mealybugs, aphids, and tortrix moths. ASPCA lists it as non-toxic to dogs, cats, and horses. This pet-safety finding does not show whether people can eat it.