Description
The name “cobra lily” comes from how the leaves of the plants resemble that of a serpent’s tongue. It is a challenging and slow-growing plant to grow and is only recommended for the experienced grower.
Basic Growing Guidelines:
Light: Cobra Lilys prefer Full to part Sun. The more sun they receive, the more intense their colouring will be. However, the plant’s root system must NEVER be allowed to overheat or it will die.
Soil: A light airy water retentive soil is best. The airy it is, the easier it is to keep the roots cool. We make our own blend which works great. (1 part peat, 2 parts perlite, 1 part sphagnum). A basic nepenthes mix will also work well for this plant.
Feeding: You can supplement feeding with fresh dead bugs, freeze-dried mealworms, or fish food pellets. A weekly spray of a light foliar fertilizer will also benefit the plant.
Humidity: 50 to 60% on average is ideal.
Water: Keep the soil wet using the tray method but never let the water level get higher than 1/4 of the pot height. Do this in conjunction with daily overhead watering, using icy water. Use Reverse Osmosis, Distilled or Rain Water Only.
Temperature: Darlingtonia needs cool to warm daytime temperatures with lots of sun, but much cooler nighttime temperatures. They grow best when the roots are kept colder than the rest of the plant. They can tolerate daytime temps of up to 30 degrees Celsius, so long as you flush the roots with ice water, keeping the roots cold during the day. During winter, the plants are tolerant of frosts and extreme cold.
Click here for a video on the setup I use to keep the roots cool with TERRIFIC results.
Dormancy: Cobra Lilies require a winter dormancy rest period. During this time pitchers may die back and look dead.
A summary of plant care is provided with each plant.
For more detailed information on how to care for your plant, refer to our Care Guides Section.
