How to Grow Tropical Butterworts (Pinguicula)

Tropical Pinguicula, commonly called butterworts, are among the most distinctive carnivorous plants in cultivation. Most species come from south-central Mexico, the center of diversity for the genus, while others occur throughout the Caribbean, Central America, subtropical Florida, and parts of South America.

They vary tremendously in size and form. Some grow as broad rosettes more than six inches across, while others remain barely an inch wide. A few species produce long, narrow leaves that look more like those of a sundew than a typical butterwort. Despite this diversity, tropical Pinguicula are united by their sticky insect-catching leaves and conspicuous flowers, which are often compared to miniature orchids.

If you have successfully grown tropical sundews or Nepenthes, you will find many aspects of Pinguicula care familiar. Their biggest differences are their sensitivity to overly wet soil and the seasonal change in growth that many varieties experience during winter.

Care at a Glance

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Where Do Tropical Pinguicula Grow in Nature?

Most tropical Pinguicula in cultivation originate from Mexico, particularly the mountainous regions of south-central Mexico where the genus reaches its greatest diversity. Other tropical and subtropical species occur throughout Central America, the Caribbean, Florida, and parts of South America.

Many Mexican species grow on rocky cliffs, limestone outcrops, moss-covered banks, and other places where their roots receive moisture without remaining constantly waterlogged. Their natural habitats help explain one of the most important differences between tropical Pinguicula and many other carnivorous plants: they generally prefer excellent drainage rather than permanently saturated soil.

Where Should I Grow Tropical Pinguicula?

Grow tropical Pinguicula indoors on a bright windowsill where they receive several hours of gentle direct sunlight. An east-facing window that provides morning sun is often an excellent location. They also grow well under artificial lights.

Tropical butterworts appreciate mild temperatures and often perform especially well in coastal climates where summers remain relatively moderate. A cool, bright windowsill can produce lush growth and abundant flowers.

Avoid locations that become excessively hot, particularly windows receiving intense afternoon sunlight during summer. Glass can amplify heat, and some Pinguicula species are less tolerant of high temperatures than hybrids.

Normal household humidity is generally sufficient. Contrary to popular belief, Pinguicula do not require high ambient humidity. In fact, constantly humid conditions combined with wet soil and poor air circulation can increase the risk of rot.

How Much Light Do Tropical Pinguicula Need?

Grow tropical Pinguicula where they receive several hours of gentle direct sunlight each day. Direct morning sun followed by bright or dappled light for the rest of the day is ideal for most varieties. Adequate light encourages compact growth, healthy coloration, and flowering. An east-facing window is often an excellent location.

Avoid intense afternoon sun during the hottest part of summer, particularly through glass. Excessive heat and sunlight can stress tropical Pinguicula, causing their leaves to shrink or the plant to decline.

Can I Grow Pinguicula Under Artificial Lights?

Yes. Tropical Pinguicula grow very well under artificial lights and are excellent candidates for an indoor growing area when a sunny window is unavailable. Use white LED shop lights with an output of approximately 2,500 lumens or more. Specialized red-and-blue grow lights are not necessary. White LEDs provide suitable light for plant growth while making it much easier to view and enjoy your plants.

As a starting point, position the lights approximately 12 inches above the plants. Watch how your Pinguicula respond and adjust the height as necessary. Plants that remain pale, stretched, or unusually green may benefit from stronger light, while plants showing signs of stress may need the lights moved farther away.

Use an electrical timer to provide approximately 14 hours of light each day during active growth. A consistent light cycle is more important than trying to adjust the lights manually each morning and evening.

Want to learn more about choosing lights for carnivorous plants? See our LED Lights for Tropical Plants guide and video to see the lighting we use in our tropical greenhouse.

How Should I Water Tropical Pinguicula?

Unlike many other carnivorous plants, tropical Pinguicula should not remain constantly waterlogged. Their roots are prone to rot when the soil stays excessively wet for long periods.

For most growers, the easiest method is to water from the top whenever the surface of the soil begins to feel dry. Water thoroughly enough to moisten the soil, then allow the excess water to drain away. Do not allow the soil to dry out completely while the plant is actively growing.

You can also use the tray method, but keep the water shallow, no more than about 1/2 inch. Allow the water in the tray to evaporate completely before adding more. This creates a cycle of moisture and drainage rather than keeping the pot continuously saturated.

When your Pinguicula begins producing its smaller, succulent winter leaves, it will generally use less water. Reduce the frequency of watering accordingly. We’ll discuss this seasonal change in greater detail below.

What Soil Should I Use for Tropical Pinguicula?

Tropical Pinguicula grow best in a coarse, well-drained soil mix. Use approximately 1 part sphagnum peat to 2 parts perlite. The high proportion of perlite keeps the mix open and airy while still retaining enough moisture for healthy growth. This is especially important because tropical Pinguicula are more susceptible to root and crown rot than many other carnivorous plants.

Never use standard potting soil, compost, or mixes containing added fertilizer. These products contain minerals and nutrients that can damage or kill carnivorous plants.

When Should I Repot Tropical Pinguicula?

Tropical Pinguicula do not require frequent repotting. Repot them when the soil begins to break down, drainage becomes poor, or the plant has outgrown its container. Choose a small pot with good drainage and use the same coarse soil mix recommended above. Because tropical Pinguicula have relatively small root systems, they generally do not need deep or oversized pots.

Handle the plant gently when repotting. Avoid burying the crown or packing the soil tightly around it. The base of the plant should remain at or just above the surface of the soil where air can circulate freely. After repotting, water lightly to settle the soil around the roots, then resume your normal watering routine. Keep the soil moist but not saturated while the plant becomes established.

Why Do Tropical Pinguicula Change Their Leaves in Winter?

Many tropical Pinguicula, particularly species from Mexico, change their growth as the seasons change. As days become shorter, they may stop producing their broad, sticky carnivorous leaves and form a tight rosette of smaller, thicker, succulent-like leaves instead. This seasonal change is normal. In the wild, the succulent growth helps the plant survive a cooler, drier part of the year when less water is available. Some varieties undergo a very obvious transformation, while others, especially hybrids, may show only a subtle change.

Do not be alarmed if your plant becomes noticeably smaller or stops producing sticky leaves during this period. As long as the center of the rosette remains healthy, the plant is usually simply responding to its seasonal growth cycle.

Because the succulent leaves use less water, reduce the frequency of watering while the plant is in this growth phase. Allow the soil to become somewhat drier between waterings, but do not allow the plant or soil to remain completely dry for extended periods.

After several weeks or months, increasing day length and warmer conditions will usually encourage the plant to resume producing its larger carnivorous leaves. At that point, gradually return to your normal active-growth watering routine.

Should I Feed Tropical Pinguicula?

Tropical Pinguicula do not need to be fed to survive. Like other carnivorous plants, they obtain the energy needed for growth from sunlight. Insects provide additional nutrients that supplement what their roots obtain from the soil.

When grown on a windowsill, butterworts are remarkably good at catching small insects on their own. Fungus gnats, fruit flies, and other tiny insects readily become trapped on the sticky surface of their leaves, so supplemental feeding is usually unnecessary.

If your plants are grown indoors where insects are scarce, you may occasionally feed them very small insects. Place the insect directly on a sticky carnivorous leaf rather than in the center of the rosette.

Avoid feeding large insects or excessive amounts of food. A small Pinguicula leaf can digest only a small meal, and oversized prey may decay before the plant can make use of it.

Troubleshooting Tropical Pinguicula

Tropical Pinguicula are generally easy to grow once you understand their seasonal growth and preference for moist, well-drained soil. When a plant begins to decline, check light, temperature, watering, and the type of growth the plant is producing before making major changes.

My Pinguicula Is Getting Smaller

A shrinking plant is not always a sign of trouble. Many Mexican Pinguicula naturally produce a smaller rosette of succulent leaves during their seasonal growth phase. If the center of the rosette remains firm and healthy, reduce watering and allow the plant to continue its natural cycle. If the plant is shrinking during active growth, however, check for excessive heat, inadequate light, or overly wet soil.

See a real-world example in Q/A #76: Pinguicula and Sundew Are Looking Sad, where a butterwort that appeared to be declining was actually transitioning out of its seasonal succulent growth.

My Pinguicula Is Losing Its Sticky Leaves

Loss of sticky carnivorous leaves may simply indicate that the plant is entering its seasonal succulent growth phase. Look at the new leaves emerging from the center of the rosette. Smaller, thicker leaves usually indicate normal seasonal growth rather than decline. During active growth, a lack of sticky leaves can also indicate insufficient light. Move the plant to a brighter location or increase the intensity of your artificial lighting gradually.

For a closer look at the dramatic difference between carnivorous and succulent growth, see Pinguicula agnata.

My Pinguicula Is Turning Brown or Rotting

Soft, dark, or rapidly deteriorating leaves around the base of the plant often indicate excessive moisture. Tropical Pinguicula should remain moist but should not sit continuously in saturated soil. Allow excess water to drain, improve air circulation, and reduce the frequency of watering. Make sure the plant is growing in a coarse, well-drained soil mix and that the crown is not buried beneath the soil.

For more about the problems caused by excessively wet growing conditions, read Q/A #20: Spider Mite Web?. This Q&A explains how constantly wet soil can contribute to fungus gnats and root rot in Mexican Pinguicula.

Can Tropical Pinguicula Get Too Hot?

Yes. Tropical Pinguicula appreciate bright light, but some species can be sensitive to excessive heat, particularly when grown in windows that become very hot during summer. Species can also be less forgiving than hybrids. It is possible for a sensitive species to decline from heat while a hybrid growing beside it remains healthy under the same conditions.

For an example of this, read Q/A #117: Pinguicula laueana Didn't Like the Hot Window. In this Grower’s Q&A, Jeff explains why heat was the likely cause of decline in a Pinguicula laueana even though neighboring hybrid butterworts remained healthy.

My Pinguicula Is Not Growing

First, determine whether the plant is actually declining or simply in its seasonal succulent growth phase. If it should be actively growing, check the fundamentals: adequate light, mild temperatures, moist but well-drained soil, and good air circulation. Avoid responding to slow growth by increasing watering or feeding. Correcting the growing conditions is usually more important than adding more water or food.

The seasonal-growth example in Q/A #76: Pinguicula and Sundew Are Looking Sad is also helpful when determining whether a plant has actually stopped growing or is simply changing growth forms.

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