Growing & caring for pinguicula laueana

Where are pinguicula laueana from?

Pinguicula laueana, also known as Oaxaca butterwort, is a carnivorous plant species native to Mexico. They are mostly found in the mountainous regions of the Oaxaca state and were initially discovered in 1858 by German botanist Gustav Laue. Pinguicula laueana are perennial plants that enjoy the partial shade and moist soil which supplies them with the nutrition they require for their purple flowers that can bloom during almost any time of the year. While once regarded as an endangered species, due to research and conservation efforts, it is believed that the population of Pinguicula laueana is now stable.

Check out this video showing some of the different color flowers the pinguicula laueana can have:

How do I care for pinguicula laueana? Are they difficult to grow?

Pinguicula laueana are beautiful carnivorous plants that need to be kept in a sunny spot with temperatures ranging between 50-80°F and plenty of humidity throughout the year. Pinguicula laueana requires well-draining soil that is a mixture of peat moss and sand. In order to ensure that their needs are met, it’s important to feed your plant small prey like fruit flies or gnats a few times each month. Although it may take some patience to make sure your plant maintains its healthy growth, it’s surprisingly easy to grow a thriving pinguicula laueana.

How do you prepare pinguicula laueana for winter?

Before anything else, you must make sure the plant is healthy and free of pests or diseases. If it is, let it enter dormancy naturally in a cool room; avoid exposing it to temperatures below 50 F as this may damage the roots and leaves. Reduce watering and fertilizing as temperatures decline, allowing the soil to become dry before each subsequent watering; never let water sit on or near the leaves or crown as this may lead to rot.

How do you fertilize pinguicula laueana?

When it comes to fertilizing pinguicula laueana, the key is not overdoing it. This gorgeous carnivorous plant requires a very moderate amount of fertilizer that is meant to supplement the nutrients they lack due to living in nutrient-poor soil.

For example, when it is actively growing, you can use liquid fertilizer once a month at half-strength. On weeks in between you can use composition soil fertilizer pellets or slow-release fertilizer so as not to overload your pinguicula laueana with nutrients. When fertilizing, however, always make sure to dilute the solution considerably.

How much should you water pinguicula laueana?

Pinguicula laueana requires a delicate balance of water in order to remain healthy. It is important to give this plant only a moderate amount of water– it needs enough to keep the roots and soil consistently moist (but not soggy)– with enough drainage that it never becomes overly saturated. When you water a butterwort, make sure it is getting filtered or distilled water, since many tap and well waters can contain minerals that are toxic to this delicate plant. Mist the leaves occasionally with room-temperature distilled water as well to keep them vibrant and green.

How much light do pinguicula laueana need?

Pinguicula laueana plants require bright light in order to thrive and remain healthy. While they will tolerate some shade, they do best when receive plenty of sunlight throughout the day. The amount of light needed varies depending on your geographic area; for instance, those growing the plant near the equator need less light than those located farther north or south.

Gardeners living in cooler climates can supplement natural sunlight from the sun with grow lights or another indirect lighting indoors. Additionally, keep an eye on Oaxaca butterworts during periods of high-intensity sunlight: direct or strong sun for long periods of time may burn their leaves, causing damage to the plant.

How do I propagate pinguicula laueana?

When the pinguicula laueana produce offsets with four or more leaves each, it’s time to separate them by gently prying them off from the original plant. Once successfully propagated from their parent plant, these young pinguicula laueanas are ready for potting up – and you can enjoy having multiple generations of this beautiful species in your garden.

When do pinguicula laueana flower?

Unlike many other flowers, it does not bloom until the colder months of winter. Pinguicula laueana usually start flowering from late December until mid-April, making it an relatively uncommon flower that provides a scenic contrast to the harsh winter weather. To make sure these unique plants are able to flourish, they need plenty of sunlight and natural soil with a pH close to neutral levels. Gardeners should take special care when cultivating this species due to its vulnerable native habitat and increasing rarity in the wild.