Pinguicula planifolia is a carnivorous plant that grows in the temperate, warmer states of North America. It lives in the wettest and poorest flats that are flooded part of the year. Often no grass or other (carnivorous) plants grow on these flats. In order to obtain nutrients, the plant catches insects on its leaves which are covered with droplets of sticky liquid, a lot like nectar. As soon as an insect lands on it, it sticks and the enzymes digest it. The nutrients are stored in a rhizome. When a leaf breaks down, it easily forms a new plant, which makes this plant easy to propagate. Pinguicula planifolia forms a rosette of shiny succulent-like leaves and blooms several times a year with delicate pink flowers that rise gracefully above the foliage. In the wild, it grows in wet, nutrient-poor plains, sometimes even in standing water – making it perfect for humid indoor environments. Each leaf can propagate a new plant when detached, and nutrients are stored in a small rhizome, helping the plant survive dormant periods.

Care and cultivation of Pinguicula planifolia

- Light: Bright location, direct or strong indirect sunlight.

- Water: Keep constantly moist; a water tray is ideal. Use rain or distilled water only.

- Substrate: Pure peat with coarse sand; nutrient-poor and well-aerated

- Humidity: High; thrives in damp, warm air

- Feeding: Rarely necessary; plant catches its own prey. Occasional feeding may enhance flowering.

- Maintenance: Remove old leaves to prevent rot. A compact and elegant butterwort – decorative, easy to grow, and perfect for terrariums or sunny windowsills.

For Pinguicula planifolia it is important to pot carnivorous plants from temperate regions in a poor soil: pure garden turf, sometimes broken up with some coarse sand. Make sure that Pinguicula planifolia is very wet by putting it in a saucer of rainwater. Because the plants normally stand on plains where it's very sunny, it's important to give them enough sun, direct or indirect.