Pinguicula gigantea aka Giant Mexican Butterwort

Pinguicula gigantea, or giant butterwort, comes from Oaxaca, Mexico. It eats insects and lives for more than two years. It belongs to the Lentibulariaceae family. It grows in a subtropical climate and stays green year-round. The plant forms clumps of rosettes, or rings of leaves. It does not grow woody branches. The RHS lists it for homes, conservatories, and greenhouses. Its leaves and summer blooms add interest in these sheltered sites.

The yellow-green leaf rosettes span about 0.66 feet [0.2 metres]. Both sides of each leaf feel sticky and catch insects. The plant then digests the prey it traps. The leaves thus serve as both its main display and traps. The RHS gives a wider range for mature height and spread. Both range from 0.33–1.64 feet [0.1–0.5 metres]. Its account of the rosettes puts them within this range, toward the smaller end. Plants take two to five years to reach full size.

Single purple flowers rise above the leaf rosettes in summer. Their stems reach about 0.49 feet [0.15 metres] tall. Growth does not stay the same all year. In winter, the plant enters a state of partial rest. It may then grow leaves that do not trap insects. This change with the season also means it needs less water. Give it little water in winter, unlike the more generous summer routine.

For pots, the RHS calls for equal shares of four things. Use peat substitute and coarse sand, plus perlite and dolomitic limestone chips. Keep the mix moist as the plant grows. Let excess water drain away. The plant suits neutral to alkaline conditions. The profile lists full sun, but its care advice differs. That advice calls for bright light through a filter. Follow this guidance when choosing a place in the home. Give ample water while the plant grows. Its UK hardiness rating is H1C. This has a minimum temperature band of 5–10°C. The plant can spend summer outdoors. Keep it safe from winter cold.

The RHS reports few usual pest or disease problems. It also says the plant needs no pruning. To grow new plants, sow ripe seed without delay. Sow it on damp sphagnum moss. You can also take leaf cuttings in late winter. These methods help you grow it as a small collection plant under cover. The supplied sources give no guidance on eating this species. They also give no guidance on whether it is toxic.