Pinguicula esseriana (Shipped Bare-Root)
Pinguicula esseriana (Shipped Bare-Root)
Couldn't load pickup availability
Pinguicula esseriana
esseriana is a compact Mexican butterwort that punches above its size. The rosettes stay small and tidy, but it produces leaves at a steady clip and throws pink to lavender flowers that sit nicely above the plant.
In winter it packs down into a tight cluster of small succulent leaves, then opens back up into sticky carnivorous growth when the weather warms. It is an easy, forgiving species and a great pick if you are short on shelf space.
Like the rest of my Pinguicula, it is a working plant as much as an ornamental one. The sticky leaves catch fungus gnats and other small flying pests on a windowsill or under lights next to your other carnivorous plants or houseplants.
Care at a glance
| Light | Bright indirect to direct. Strong light adds a pink blush. |
| Water | Distilled, rain, or RO only. Lightly moist, never soggy. |
| Soil | 2 parts vermiculite, 2 perlite, 1 peat |
| Temp | 60 to 85°F. No frost. |
| Winter | Packs into a dense rosette of small succulent leaves. Water less. |
| Humidity | Adaptable. No terrarium needed. |
What to expect
Your plant ships bare root in a small plastic cup, usually 2 or 4 ounces. That cup is just its travel case, so plan to pot it up when it arrives.
If it arrives in winter, it may already be in its smaller succulent phase. That is normal. Hold off on heavy watering until it is clearly growing again.
