Question
I have a Purple Pitcher Plant that I purchased at my local nursery. My plant has turned brown and looks dead. I have kept it moist and in a sunny window - it receives sunlight at least 5 or more hours a day. I know these plants are perennial but as I said, this one looks dead. Can you tell me whether or not it is dead or simply dormant? I seem to have no luck growing carnivorous plants. I planted it in a medium of peat moss and granules that hold water (usually used for roses, the name of the product escapes me at the moment). Could you send some information on growing these neat plants?

Answer
Hi Wendy,

Growing carnivorous plants is fairly easy as long as you keep a few main concepts in mind.  First, the purple pitcher plant, Sarracenia purpurea, is a perennial that grows best outdoors.  We grow all of our Sarracenia species strictly outdoors at our nursery in Oregon.  

Many growers don't have much luck growing these plants indoors because either they don't have enough sunlight or the plants succumb to fungal infection, which is a common problem with indoor plants kept in very moist soil.

The other problem is the water-retention granules that you've used.  These granules breakdown into compounds that are toxic to carnivorous plants.  We've tested various carnivorous plants with these granules, and they either died within a couple months, or they never achieved the same robust growth as plants without them.

Sarracenia needs acidic, nutrient-poor soil.  Use a mix of 1 part peat moss and 1 part perlite.  No fertlizer, no compost and no gardening soil.  To keep the soil constantly moist, allow the pot to sit in a saucer or tray of water.  Keep the water level no higher than half way up the pot.

Sarracenia also prefers water that is low in minerals, less than 50 parts per million.  If your water is very hard, then you'll need to use bottled distilled water or water passed through a reverse-osmosis unit.

These are the key concepts for keeping Sarracenia: grow outdoors in full sun, use the proper soil mix and water the plants with low-mineral water.

Based on the information you've given me, I'd say your plant is on it's way out if you don't see any new growth at this time.  Given that you were growing your plant indoors, it should be warm enough to spark new growth.  But if you don't see new growth, then the other factors I've mentioned may have affected the plant.

For more information about growing Sarracenia and other carnivorous plants, read our care sheets online:
http://www.cobraplant.com/caresheets

Good growing!
Jacob Farin