Cobra Lilies (Darlingtonia californica)
Cobra Lilies grow in along cold water streams in the northern mountains of California and the Oregon coast in the USA. This evergreen perennial produces numerous runners that form dense colonies.
Watering
Please keep my tray full with water all the time, right throughout the year. I come from a swamp and I like it very wet. I do even better if you use cold water.
It’s best to just fill my tray, my special soil mix will give me what I need.
Light
Full to part sun. The more I can tan, the better my colours. If I don’t get enough light, I will struggle to keep my pitchers upright.
Where to Keep Me
I really struggle on hot days to best to keep me in partial to full shade to avoid cooking my roots. I don’t mind cold at all, even if it snows. I can live outside or inside on a windowsill.
Dormancy
Each year, like you, I need a break. As I can’t leave my pot, I rest over winter. Don’t worry, I may look like I am dying back but I am not, just keep watering me as normal.
Feeding
I will catch my own food, but feel free to drop something in my pitchers. I love flies, spiders and any other bugs.
Please do not use fertilisers on me as a lot will harm me more than they will help me.
Soil Recipe
I live in a special mix of sphagnum peat moss, perlite and pumice. I can also live in long fiber sphagnum, the one from NZ is the best in the world I hear. If you need to repot me, please do not use regular soil, I will not survive.