The parrot pitcherplant is native to North America and is scientifically known as Sarracenia psittacina. It is a carnivorous plant that usually captures water arthropods and tadpoles as its prey.
I. Appearance and Characteristics
Sarracenia psittacina, also known as the parrot pitcherplant, is a carnivorous plant in the genus Sarracenia. Like all the Sarracenia, it is native to North America, in the Southeastern United States.
Sarracenia psittacina is a perennial herb with leaves modified into tubular pitchers that are clustered into a rosette with outer whorl of pitchers typically resting on the ground, inner pitchers semi-erect. The pitchers are 8 – 30 cm long, with a large wing on the upper side and a deeply curved and inflated hood; the pitchers are green near the base and reddish near the top, with whitish, translucent patches on the upper pitcher and the hood.
This plant capture and digest insects and other small animals in their pitchers. Nectar is produced by glands around the top of the pitcher, luring animals to the opening with its sweet smell. Stiff, down-pointing hairs line the pitcher, encouraging the animals to slide in and impeding their escape. The whitish, translucent patches on the upper pitcher and the hood further confuse the insects after they have entered the pitcher. Enzymes dissolved in water in the base of the pitcher digest the animals, making nutrients, especially nitrogen, available for absorption by the plant. The small opening leading into the inflated hood of the parrot pitcher plant has led some observers to consider this plant’s trap more of a “lobster pot” than the typical “pitfall trap” of other pitcher plants. These traps work underwater, catching aquatic insects, an adaptation to the occasionally flooded habitat of the parrot pitcher plant.
Sarracenia psittacina blooms from March to May from the 15 – 35 cm tall, leafless flower stalk. Flower solitary with 5 drooping, maroon petals, 3 – 4 cm long; 5 sepals, maroon on the outside and green on the inside; and a yellow-green, umbrella-shaped style disk in the center of the flower. Sepals and style disk persist long after the petals fall, and the fruit – a round, warty capsule about 1.5 – 2 cm wide develops.
Some clone and varieties: Sarracenia psittacina var. psittacina (the flower is red, and the pitchers are variously pigmented; some are mostly green with red venation, others are deeply flushed red throughout); Sarracenia psittacina var. okefenokeensis (the pitcher is longer than about 30 cm).
II. How to Grow and Care
Sunlight
Parrot pitcherplant thrives under full sun conditions where it can receive direct and intense light for optimal growth. Although it tolerates partial sun, prolonged exposure to lower light levels may hinder its vigor and the development of its characteristic pitchers. Parrot pitcherplant exhibits adaptability through its leaves, which can alter their orientation or color intensity in response to the sunlight’s quality, thereby maximizing photosynthesis. Ideally, parrot pitcherplant is planted outdoors in locations where it can bask in abundant sunlight, avoiding overly shaded areas which can result in a less robust plant with fewer carnivorous structures.
Temperature
Parrot pitcherplant is a very hardy plant native to North America. In its natural habitats, it can endure regular below-freezing temperatures in winter and survive temperatures up to 32 ℃ during summer. The optimum growing temperature range is between 16 to 21 ℃.
Potted parrot pitcherplant in the house should not be kept in temperatures exceeding 35 ℃. This is the temperature threshold, and it is very important especially if the humidity is low. During the winter, the temperature can range between -14 to 3 ℃. Underground rhizomes are resilient to winter frost.
Watering
Parrot pitcherplant is a moisture-loving plant that thrives in wet, humid environments. Its natural habitat often sees high rainfall, contributing to its preference for consistent hydration. It’s accustomed to being watered twice a week, ensuring it maintains its lush vitality. As an evergreen plant, parrot pitcherplant retains its leaves year-round and requires steady watering even during the cooler months.
Soil
Parrot pitcherplant grows best in nutrient-poor, acidy (pH ranging from 3-5), moisture-retaining soil. A mix of sand and sphagnum peat moss in the ratio of 1:2 is highly recommended. Avoid rich and clay soils. Sunken containers with drainage and peat and/or sand mix will work well for your parrot pitcherplant. If growing outside, where there is plenty of water to flush the soil, perlite can be used instead of sand.
Fertilizing
Parrot pitcherplant tolerates nutrient-poor and moisture-retaining soil, as it has evolved to catch insects. Fertilizer should not be used unless your soil is almost completely lacking a certain mineral. If you keep the plant outside for several weeks during the summer, the plant will be able to catch enough food for itself. Please do not feed your parrot pitcherplant meat. If additional nutrients are required, use supplement food sold for Venus flytrap plants. Dried crickets are an excellent choice.
Planting Instructions
Parrot pitcherplant is easiest to grow in plastic pots or any other large plastic container. It can be grown indoors or inserted into soil in a container. If planting outside, plastic containers are recommended, as they will ensure that your plant has ample amounts of water. This will also reduce your watering and is economically sensible and eco-friendly.
Before planting, add a mixture of peat and sand to the hole for drainage and nutrition. Parrot pitcherplant needs a deep hole of 30 to 41 cm, with at least 25 cm spacing between plants. When planting, the crown of the rhizome should stick out just above the soil.
Pruning
Parrot pitcherplant can thrive without pruning. However, sometimes it is necessary to remove certain parts to increase the overall health and create a fuller plant. Prune blossoms if they wilt. Use sharp garden scissors to remove the bloom stalk at its base. If the leaves have turned yellow and wilted, cut off them at the base where they meet the stem of the plant. Remember to disinfect your garden scissors between plants to reduce any possible cross-contamination.
Propagation
Parrot pitcher plant can be propagated by seed: Sow the seeds from harvest to fall, which is more prolific. Or keep the seeds in the bottom of the refrigerator until February. In moisture-saturated mini-greenhouses the fresh seeds take about three weeks, depending on the temperature for good germination. Seeds that have spent a few months in the refrigerator are sometimes longer to germinate. It is possible to repot the young seedlings at the end of the year, but it is better to wait until the following spring.
Sarracenia psittacina can also be propagated by division: It is certainly the most used method at Parrot pitcher plant , the division can be done at any time of the year. Division by rhizome division in September, with no apparent problem, but must redouble attention to the excess moisture.
Repotting
Repot parrot pitcherplant every 2-3 years in early spring to match its growth cycle. This low-growing carnivorous plant thrives when refreshed with nutrient-poor, acidic soil. Choose a slightly larger pot with good drainage to accommodate the root system without causing rot. After repotting, maintain high humidity and avoid fertilizing to support parrot pitcherplant’s recovery and healthy pitcher development.
