Scientific Name: Pinguicula cyclosecta

Common Name(s): Cyclosecta Butterwort. The species name, cyclosecta, is derived from Latin, referring to the circular outline of the leaves/plant, often appearing as a perfectly formed wheel. Pinguicula (butterwort) derives from the Latin word pinguis, meaning "fat" or "oily," and translates to "little greasy one". This name refers to the slick, shiny, or greasy texture of the carnivorous plant's leaves, which are covered in tiny glands that secrete a sticky mucus to catch insects.

Defining Characteristics:

• Leaves shimmer with a color-changing effect, shifting between pale purple, green, violet, and silver depending on the light intensity
• Even when the plant is greener, the edges of the leaves often exhibit a dark, purplish, or bluish-violet tint, especially under intense lighting
• Considered one of the smallest of the "orchid-flowered" butterworts, typically forming compact, neat rosettes that are only 2–3 inches in diameter when mature
• It is a "heterophyllous" plant, meaning it changes leaf types by season

- In the summer it grows large, broad, carnivorous, sticky leaves

- In the winter it forms a small, compact, succulent, non-carnivorous rosette (resembling a tiny succulent) that is less sensitive to dry conditions.

Recommended Pot Size: Small

Josh’s Frogs offers a wide variety of supplies for all of your indoor gardening needs.

 Temperature Requirement (°F): 55-85°F

 Humidity: 50–80%

 Watering Frequency: Use only pure water—distilled, reverse osmosis (RO), or rainwater—as tap water will kill the roots over time. Bottom watering is preferred to keep water off the sticky leaves, though top watering is fine if done carefully.

• Active Phase (Spring/Summer): Maintain constant moisture; keep the pot in a tray with ~1cm of water, letting it nearly dry out before refilling.
• Dormant Phase (Winter): The plant turns into a tight, succulent-like rosette. Reduce watering significantly, allowing the mix to dry out slightly between waterings to mimic their natural dry season.
• In early spring, increase water slowly as the plant shifts from small succulent leaves to large, sticky, carnivorous leaves.

Lighting: Bright, indirect light or partial sun to thrive and develop its characteristic purple leaves, ideally receiving 3+ hours of direct sun, such as from an east-facing window.

Soil Type: Use a mix that is roughly 50% carnivorous plant soil (Josh's Frogs Carnivorous Plant Soil) and 50% inorganic drainage material (pumice, perlite, lava rock). They can also be grown on porous rocks like pumice if kept moist.

Growth Rate: Fast

Height at Maturity: Mature diameter of 2 to 3 inches 

Origin: Native to a small, specific area in northeastern Mexico, primarily spanning the border region between the states of Nuevo León and Tamaulipas

Regional Locality: Vertical limestone walls and shaded rocky crevices. Typically found on north-facing cliffs that offer cool, windy conditions, often above Abies (fir) and oak woodlands. The plants grow in small carpets of moss, ferns, and Selaginella or directly on the bare rock and in crevices.

USDA Hardiness Zone: 9–11

*Pinguicula are non-toxic and safe for animal enclosures, where they can help manage fungus gnat populations. If you decide to include one in a terrarium, please keep the following considerations in mind:

• Substrate: They should not be planted in regular, nutrient-rich terrarium soil. Instead, use a mix that is roughly 50% carnivorous plant soil (Josh's Frogs Carnivorous Plant Soil) and 50% inorganic drainage material (pumice, perlite, lava rock) They can also grow on a porous rock that can absorb moistures well, such as pumice.
• Placement: Avoid high-traffic areas within the enclosure.
• Watering: Use only distilled or RO (reverse osmosis) water.
• Seasonal Care: If the plant enters its winter succulent phase while in an animal enclosure, significantly reduce watering and allow the potting mix it is planted in to dry out slightly between waterings. Alternatively, the plant could be removed from enclosure and kept as a houseplant until it begins producing carnivorous leaves again.

Suggested Vivarium/ Animal Terrarium Use:

Care Notes: Pinguicula cyclosecta thrives in a well-draining, mineral-based, nutrient-poor substrate. Use a mix that is roughly 50% carnivorous plant soil (Josh's Frogs Carnivorous Plant Soil) and 50% inorganic drainage material (pumice, perlite, lava rock). They can also be grown on porous rocks like pumice if kept moist.

It is a heterophyllous plant, meaning it changes leaf types by season.

In the summer it grows large, broad, carnivorous, sticky leaves. In the winter it forms a small, compact, succulent, non-carnivorous rosette (resembling a tiny succulent) that is less sensitive to dry conditions.

Use only pure water—distilled, reverse osmosis (RO), or rainwater—as tap water will kill the roots over time. Bottom watering is preferred to keep water off the sticky leaves, though top watering is fine if done carefully.

• Active Phase (Spring/Summer): Maintain constant moisture; keep the pot in a tray with ~1 cm of water, letting it nearly dry out before refilling.
• Dormant Phase (Winter): The plant turns into a tight, succulent-like rosette. Reduce watering significantly, allowing the mix to dry out slightly between waterings to mimic their natural dry season.
• In early spring, increase water slowly as the plant shifts from small succulent leaves to large, sticky, carnivorous leaves.

Shipping Notes: Generous LIVE ARRIVAL GUARANTEE offered.

*Pinguicula are shipped bare-root wrapped in a moist paper towel inside a 4 oz. plastic cup.

As good practice, Josh's Frogs recommends washing all plants thoroughly, removing as much soil as possible with dechlorinated water before placing them in their final home. Live plants may vary in color, size, and appearance.

Standard pot sizes for Josh's Frogs plants typically range from 1.25-3.5 inches.