wetland wildflower
Purple pitcher plant
Sarracenia purpurea
Also known as Purple Pitcherplant, Northern Pitcher-plant
1 of 2Native to much of the USA and Canada
Saskatchewan to Labrador and Nova Scotia; south through New England to Florida; west to Texas; north to Indiana, Illinois, and Minnesota.
- Light Full sun Sun tolerance
- Moisture Moist to wet Moisture preference
- Zones 1–9 Cold to heat range
- Bloom May–Sep Flowering time
- Height up to 30 in to 76 cm
- Life cycle Perennial Annual to perennial
In the garden
A wetland wildflower for full sun and consistently moist to wet soil. Its red and purple flowers peak in June. At up to 30 in, it suits rain gardens, pond edges, and damp low spots. Hardy in USDA zones 1–9.
Growing conditions
Hardiness zones
When it blooms
The Purple pitcher plant's red and purple flowers bloom May to September, peaking in June. This early-summer display draws bees and butterflies.
Purple pitcher plant blooms red & purpleFoliage
Pollinators & wildlife
- Bees Common Eastern Bumble Bee also Two-spotted Bumble Bee, Bombus fervidus, Northern Amber Bumble Bee
- Butterflies Limenitis arthemis arthemis
Butterflies that use this plant
Documented host and nectar records. Each links to a planting guide for that butterfly.
- Red-spotted purplenectar
Full plant details
Where it grows
- Habitat
- WetlandThe wild plant community it grows in.
- Native range
- Much of the USA and CanadaUnited States (27): AL, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IL, IN, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MS, NC, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, SC, TN, VA, VT, WI. Canada (10): AB, MB, NB, NL, NS, NT, ON, PE, QC, SK. Where it grows wild on its own, by state and province.
- Native distribution
- Saskatchewan to Labrador and Nova Scotia; south through New England to Florida; west to Texas; north to Indiana, Illinois, and Minnesota.The same native range, usually more exact than the state list, and often noting where it has spread beyond it.
Growing conditions
- Light
- Full sunHow much sun it takes, from full sun to full shade.
- Moisture
- Moist to wetThe soil dampness it prefers, from dry to wet.
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 1–9 · Canadian 0–7The cold-to-heat climate range it survives.
- Soil texture
- Light to heavy (sandy to clay)The soil grade it prefers, from sand to clay.
- Soil pH
- Mildly acid to mildly alkalineThe acidity to alkalinity it tolerates (7 is neutral).
Growth & form
- Height
- up to 30 in (to 76 cm)Typical mature height.
- Spread
- ~1 ft (0.3 m)How wide one plant gets, a guide to spacing.
- Life cycle
- PerennialWhether it lives a single season (annual), two (biennial), or returns for years (perennial).
- Growth rate
- ModerateA relative ranking versus other plants of the same type (USDA), not an absolute rate.
Flowers, foliage & fruit
- Type
- WildflowerWhat kind of plant it is.
- Bloom
- May–SepWhen it flowers.
- Flower color
- Red, PurpleThe bloom color, or colors.
- Fruit/Seeds
- ripens Jun–OctThe seed or fruit it sets after flowering.
- Toxicity
- None knownWhether any part is poisonous to people or pets.