Butterwort (bot. Pinguicula vulgaris) is a popular and easy-care plant from the water hose family (Lentibulariaceae). It is a carnivore, i. H. carnivorous, plant that can be cultivated both on the home windowsill and in the garden bed. In the living room, the robust butterwort keeps annoying insects away, which it catches with its sticky leaves. In order for the plant to feel comfortable with you, there are a few instructions to follow regarding location and care.

Butterwort is one of the easy-care carnivorous plants

Table of Contents

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  1. origin and distribution
  2. use
  3. appearance and growth
  4. leaves
  5. flowering and flowering time
  6. toxicity
  7. Which location is suitable?
  8. substrate
  9. Plant butterwort correctly
  10. repot
  11. Water butterwort
  12. Fertilize butterwort properly
  13. Cut butterwort properly
  14. increase butterwort
  15. hibernate
  16. diseases and pests
  17. species and varieties

    18. origin and distribution

    Our native butterwort (bot. Pinguicula vulgaris) belongs to the genus of butterworts (Pinguicula), which are mainly native to Central America, but also to the USA, Canada and large parts of Europe. In Germany, the species, which used to be quite widespread, is now threatened with extinction due to the sharp decline in its traditional habitat and is therefore on the Red List. The common butterwort feels particularly at home in wet moor areas with soil poor in nutrients and in the Alps up to an altitude of around 2,300 meters. The species native to us is hardy and can therefore also be cultivated in the garden. However, you may not take any fatty herbs from the wild, these are under strict protection.

    use

    In the garden, it is best to plant the hardy butterwort in damp locations such as in a bog bed or by the garden pond or along an (artificial) stream. In summer, the plant adorns these often difficult locations with its pretty, violet flowers. In addition, the butterwort can also be cultivated in planters, for example on the balcony or as a houseplant on the windowsill. However, the necessary moisture in the substrate and in the air must be meticulously observed so that the plant does not dry out.

    As a potted plant, butterwort cuts a fine figure wherever you want to get rid of annoying insects. This is the case, for example, when your indoor or balcony plants are infested with fungus gnats. The appearance of fruit flies, not a rare plague in summer, can often be brought under control by using carnivorous plants.

    Butterwort used to be used in naturopathy, for example to treat wounds, relieve pain (e.g. sciatic pain) and in diseases of the liver, lungs and stomach. Today, however, such use is unusual. In addition, the butterwort was ascribed magical powers, especially in Britain today: it was supposed to protect grazing cattle from evil goblins, and people from evil witches and fairies. In contrast to all other uses that were common in the past, the Swedes still use the butterwort as a rennet substitute for the production of "Swedish milk", a type of cheese.

    appearance and growth

    The fresh green rosette of leaves lying flat on the ground is typical of the perennial butterwort. The tall, slender flower stalk grows out of the middle. In autumn all parts of the plant die off, including the roots, which are only a few centimeters long, and the plant hibernates as a hibernacle, as the botanist calls the winter bud. In the spring, the butterwort drives out of this again. Incidentally, root growth is weak and only a few short roots form: the plant feeds mainly on insects and pollen that stick to its sticky leaves.

    leaves

    The flat leaf rosettes are composed of narrow, elongated leaves that are slightly curled at the edge and bluntly converge at the tip. The butterwort gets its name from the greasy, shiny leaves. The shine comes from the sticky attractant that is secreted by fine glands and is intended to attract small insects. The butterwort catches small flies in this way, whereby the plant can become active itself by additionally rolling up its leaves. So even in the rain, when the glue is washed off, the insect can no longer escape. The butterwort then releases digestive enzymes so that the victims are decomposed. This process only takes a few days.

    flowering and flowering time

    Between May and August, a flower stalk, up to 15 centimeters high, rises from the middle of the leaf rosette and bears the pretty, violet-like flowers. These are pink-purple with a white throat spot, but can also be all white. The florets are only up to 13 millimeters long and have a spur. They are pollinated by flies, which sometimes get stuck in the flower throat and can no longer free themselves. Small, egg-shaped fruit capsules then form, which contain many black, very fine seeds.

    toxicity

    Butterwort is not poisonous to humans or pets.

    Which location is suitable?

    You can cultivate Pinguicula vulgaris both in a bog bed in the garden and as a houseplant on the windowsill. The plant needs a bright, but not directly sunny location. A sunny or semi-shady place is ideal, where it is protected from the hot midday sun in particular. A window sill facing west or east is ideal. Make sure that the indoor culture has a high humidity of at least 60 percent: as a damp room plant, butterwort depends on it for its well-being. For example, to increase humidity, you can place bowls of water near the plant.

    substrate

    Most plants need a well-drained and rather dry soil. Not so the butterwort, which as a bog dweller feels most comfortable in wet, acidic soil. In the garden bed, it is therefore best to plant the carnivore in the bog bed. Alternatively, the plant also tolerates neutral to alkaline soils, provided they have the necessary moisture. For indoor plants, use special carnivore soil or mix quartz sand (15.85€) and white peat in a ratio of 1:1. You can also add some clay to the mixture.

    Plant butterwort correctly

    Butterwort's fine roots are very sensitive, which is why you should never plant the plant during the summer growing season. Always do this during hibernation, when the carnivore isn't rooting anyway. The best time to do this is early spring or fall. Never cover the winter bud completely with soil, instead it should protrude about halfway out of the substrate. In the spring, the butterwort develops new roots and thus anchors itself in the new location. At the same time, the new leaves sprout.

    repot

    The repotting of fat herbs kept in planters should be done annually. The plant does not necessarily need a larger pot, but fresh substrate. The same rules apply to repotting as to planting: Only transplant the plant, which is sensitive in this regard, during the winter dormancy so that you do not accidentally damage the delicate roots.

    Water butterwort

    During the summer months, you should water occasionally during dry and warm periods to prevent dehydration. Proceed with caution, however, because despite its preference for moist soil, butterwort does not tolerate waterlogging. Waterlogged soil leads to gray mold, which in turn means the death sentence for the plant. Use water that is as low in lime as possible, such as collected rainwater, well water or distilled water. Tap water should be descaled before use, for example by letting it sit well. In winter, keep watering to a minimum.

    Fertilize butterwort properly

    As a rule, you do not have to fertilize the butterwort even in the pot, as the plant takes care of itself by caught insects.

    Cut butterwort properly

    Even a pruning is not necessary. Even faded shoots do not have to be removed.

    increase butterwort

    The common butterwort can be propagated by sowing in winter. To do this, sow the fine seeds in shallow bowls filled with potting soil. Since it is a light germinator, you do not need to cover the granules with substrate. However, keep it constantly moist. As cold germs, the seeds also need a cold stimulus so that the germination inhibition is broken. It is therefore best to place the cultivation vessels outside, especially in frosty weather. The young seedlings then appear in spring. Now you can either prick them out individually in pots or plant them straight away in their location in the garden bed.

    Propagation via the brood buds that form on the winter bud is even easier. Simply break them off in early spring and plant them in the desired location or in a pot.
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    hibernate

    Succulents planted in the garden do not need any special treatment in winter. Only specimens cultivated in pots should be overwintered as coolly as possible during the cold season. Since the non-existent roots cannot be damaged, the pot can also be put outside.

    diseases and pests

    Diseases and pests occur very rarely on butterwort. In particular, pests are not a problem, after all, they form the basis of nutrition for the plant. You should only be careful that no water collects in the leaf rosettes: this can lead to gray mold, a disease caused by Botrytis fungi. This is initially indicated by brown spots on the leaves, later the foliage becomes soft and covered by a grayish-white lawn of fungus.

    tips

    Butterwort is the right plant for you if you want to get rid of pests - or are interested in carnivorous plants and are looking for a species suitable for beginners. Pinguicula vulgaris has often been the basis of interesting collections.

    species and varieties

    In addition to the butterwort (Pinguicula vulgaris) presented here, there are around 100 different types of butterwort, which are divided into tropical and temperate depending on their origin. They sometimes have different location and care needs, and not all succulents are hardy here.

    Tropical butterworts are green all year round and do not always need a rest period. For example, the following are suitable for domestic pot culture:

    • Pinguicula acuminata
    • Pinguicula caudata
    • Pinguicula cyclosetcta
    • Pinguicula emarginata
    • Pinguicula filifolia
    • Pinguicula gypsicola
    • Pinguicula moranensis
    • Pinguicula pumila

    The temperate growth forms, on the other hand - which also includes butterwort - take a break in winter. These include, for example, these types:

    • Pinguicula alpina
    • Pinguicula grandiflora
    • Pinguicula lusitanica
    • Pinguicula lutea

Category:

Indoor plants