Common Butterwort (Pinguicula vulgaris)

Common Butterwort

Pinguicula vulgaris

Sticky leaves trap tiny insects, a quiet carnivorous beauty. Perennial carnivorous herb; common name: Common Butterwort.

Partial sun
2/week
Moderate
🌱

Plant Needs

☀️
Sunlight Bright indirect to partial direct sunlight; avoid intense midday summer sun to prevent leaf scorching
💧
Watering Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged; use distilled or rainwater to avoid mineral buildup that harms sensitive roots
🌡️
Temperature Hardy to freezing temperatures; thrives in cool, temperate conditions between 10–20°C
🔍

Characteristics

  • Leaf: Basal rosette of fleshy, bright green leaves coated in sticky mucilage to trap small insects
  • Flower: Solitary bilabiate blooms in purple, pale pink, or white on slender, upright stalks
  • Stem: Slender, leafless flowering stalks that rise above the rosette
🛠️

Care Guide

Watering

Maintain consistent soil moisture using tray watering to avoid disturbing shallow roots

Fertilization

No fertilization required; nutrients are obtained from trapped insects. Do not apply any fertilizers, as they can burn the sensitive root system

N/A:Carnivorous plants do not require supplemental fertilizers; nutrients are obtained from captured insects
Pruning
  • Remove dead or browning leaves to maintain rosette appearance and prevent fungal growth
  • Trim spent flower stalks after blooming to redirect energy to leaf growth
  • Avoid deep root disturbance during repotting; repot only when the rosette outgrows its container
⚠️

Toxicity

Warning: this plant may be toxic.

Pets & Humans

Pets: ASPCA-verified non-toxic to cats

Humans: No known toxicity to humans

📖

Garden Uses & Culture

Culture: N/A

Usage: Carnivorous ornamental plant; naturally controls small flying insects in indoor or garden settings