How to plant Sarracenia (pitcher plant)

The pitcher plant is sensitive to planting depth, and improper planting can lead to future problems. For this reason, I have created a guide on how to plant Sarracenia (pitcher plant) correctly. In the first image, you can see a plant that is ready for planting. The plant has been pruned after overwintering, and its roots have been cleaned of old substrate remnants as much as possible. If it is not possible to completely remove the substrate, which is very common in the dense root system of pitcher plants, it should be left as is.

First, I place a layer of suitable substrate at the bottom of the pot and then position the plant in it. Pitcher plants have dense root systems, making it preferable to surround the plant with substrate rather than first placing substrate and creating a hole, as is done with other carnivorous plants.

Then, surround the plant with suitable substrate up to the level of the green part. It’s essential to ensure that the plant is not buried too deep in the substrate. The green part, from which new leaves grow, must always remain above the substrate. Another critical point is to recognize that the plant grows in the direction of the green part parallel to the substrate’s surface, while the old rhizome gradually dries out. Therefore, the plant should be positioned to allow space for future growth.

Afterward, take a watering can or another container for watering, and regulate the water flow with your finger to gently moisten the entire area. Be cautious of a too strong stream, as it could wash away the substrate from around the plant or partially bury it. This process helps the substrate settle and envelop the plant. If necessary, adjust the substrate around the plant further using tweezers.

You can see the correctly planted plant in the image below. The plant is placed in the substrate only up to the green part, and there is nothing obstructing its continued growth.