This is a “Grower's Choice” plant, which means our Plant Team will choose 1 Pinguicula species that's available. Plants may differ in color and appearance from the plant pictured. 

Scientific Name: Pinguicula spp.

Common Name(s): Butterwort

Defining Characteristics:

• 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.
• Many Pinguicula are heterophyllous plants, meaning they change 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: Prefers bright, indirect light, but can handle some direct sun

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: Moderate - Fast

Height at Maturity: This will depend on the species.

Origin: Native to Mexico

Regional Locality: This will depend on the species.

USDA Hardiness Zone: This will depend on the plant, but typically 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: Pinguiculas or ‘Mexican butterworts’ thrive 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.

Many are heterophyllous plants, meaning they change leaf types by season.

In the summer they grow large, broad, carnivorous, sticky leaves. In the winter they form a small, compact, succulent, non-carnivorous rosette (resembling a tiny succulent) that are 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.