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Carnivorous Plants

pitcher plant completely red, and all leaves going crusty and brown

Harry- -Shopshire, England

6 years ago

Hi my pitcher plant i brought from ikea used to have green on the leaves but now they've all turned completely red. Also now all the leaves, even the tiny ones in the middle, are turning brown and crispy, i fill the leaves up with rainwater and only water it with rain water, but its just not helping any ideas, its in a north-east window so gets full sun for about 4-5 hours.

I've moved it to a more shelterd part of the same north-east room, next to my ferns, as i know they grow in similar conditions, but it says full on the sticker the pot came in. it won't get any direct sun now. Also i've stuck it on a pot of moss I've been growing.

i'm just a bit stuck any ideas on how to revive it, or is it beyond repair?

Thanks :)

Featured Answer

gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)

6 years ago

Looks like it didn't get enough water. These grow in standing water naturally and should be placed in something - saucer or plate, etc. - that will hold a couple of cm or about an inch of water at all times. Simply filing the pitchers with water may not be enough.

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Comments (8)

Paul MI
6 years ago
Too dry was my thought as well. These are full sun plants and yours -- a Sarracenia purpurea or hybrid thereof -- is well known for turning red or purple when receiving full sun. But as GG mentioned, they are typically grown wet as they are swamp/bog dwellers. I would put the pot in a container which will allow to keep it standing in water.
Harry- -Shopshire, England thanked Paul MI
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purslanegarden
6 years ago
It looks like the outer ones that are older, are dying off, and there are new ones growing up in the middle. It seems to be doing what it's normally doing as it ages.

I would only fill it up to about half, though.

You might also check if you can grow it outside.
Harry- -Shopshire, England thanked purslanegarden
tommyr_gw Zone 6
5 years ago
This plant belongs outside in full all day sun sitting in rainwater or distilled water. It will not last long indoor. They are not houseplants.
Harry- -Shopshire, England
Original Author
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
Its actually started to come around since putting it in a mini greenhouse, (still inside) we've had some really hot days here in england over the weekend and its really helped the pitcher plant.
tommyr_gw Zone 6
5 years ago
Looks good now but the heat wasn't the problem. Most likely it wasn't acclimated to full Sun properly.
Danny Chong
2 years ago
Hi Tommy, I'm having the same issue you had before. All the leaves have turned red, even the new ones. And the edges are turning crispy. I have always kept mine inside a large glass terrarium and moist. I noticed this after I moved to the new home and it's currently sitting by the window sill instead of just growth light in the basement where it used to be. I didn't think it was too much sun because websites say they can take full sun. I'm going to try to keep the saucer where the plant is sitting on filled with water to see if that would help. I was worried about root rot. I hope mine will bounce back like yours. Do you keep yours sitting in water as well? Thanks. Dan
tommyr_gw Zone 6
2 years ago
They can take full Sun OUTDOORS once acclimated properly. They are NOT houseplants. They are temperate plants. They also need at least 3 months of dormancy each year.

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