Expert: Christopher Littrell - 12/12/2007

Question
I live in Massachusetts.  I had a trumpet plant growing in it's pot in my back yard all summer.  It did very well and was beautiful.  I wanted to save it for the winter and my house is usually 70 degrees. Since I've had it in the house and watering it once a week, it is starting to dry out and the leaves are dry and falling off.  I would love to save it if it isn't too late.  Any suggestions???

Answer
Hello Deborah,

Trumpet Pitcher Plants, Sarracenias, are several species of North American temperate plants that go dormant in winter. If the center crown of the plant looks green and red and alive (just the leaves dying back) then the plant is probably dormant or trying to go dormant. The low light it gets in winter tells it that it needs to go to sleep for a few months to conserve energy, otherwise it would completely die next year if it were to grow throughout a low light winter.

If the center crown is still alive, keep watering it sparingly, just enough to moisten the soil a bit, and keep it in a cool window where it can feel a chilly draft to keep it at about 40 degrees over winter. Next year it will grow back just as beautiful as before, likely flowering in the first couple months of spring.

If the center growth crown has dried out or died off, then the plant has possibly succumbed to fungus or bacterial infection, common in Sarracenias grown indoors. Dig up the roots and check them to see what they look like if in doubt. If the roots are white and creamy colored, they are fine, if they are brown or black and dry or mushy feeling, they have rotted and/or died off. Low light conditions coupled with stagnant air indoors leads to infections all to often. If you suspect infection in your plant, use fungicides like sulfur powder or neem oil as directed on the container to try to save the plant.

Sarracenias are full sun garden type plants that really do best when kept outdoors all year. In very harsh winters you might need to mulch and cover the plant to protect it from the worst of the freeze drying, but in general, Sarracenias are quite hardy. Find out what species your is and determine its zone so you can more specifically determine what needs to be done for it in winter. The site cobraplant.com has many care sheets and information on all varieties of carnivorous plants, so you can visit that site and find out all kinds of helpful tips to keep your plant going strong. In general, a potted plant in a zone the same as its natural zone would need a little protection from cold weather as pots are not good insulators.

I hope your Sarracenia is just asleep now,

Christopher