Seasonal Pitcher Decline in Sarracenia: Summer Dormancy Explained

Question: My pitcher plant in Portland is turning brown in summer. It's in a plastic pot with 2 inches of water, full sun. It was growing great until two weeks ago—pitchers full of bugs. Is this normal?

Answer

Hi Tracey,

This sounds like a normal seasonal cycle. Depending on species, the plant may be in a lull until early September, when a late-season flush appears. If it's Sarracenia flava or S. oreophila, pitchers decline through summer and die in fall, replaced by flat, non-carnivorous phyllodia that persist through winter.

Good Growing!
Jeff Dallas
Sarracenia Northwest
www.cobraplant.com