It had been a dream for years: to see carnivorous plants growing in their native habitats, in the wild. In the Netherlands and Belgium, we can already enjoy a few native species ourselves: the round-leaved sundew (Drosera rotundifolia) and bladderwort (Utricularia) grow here in nature, if you know where to look. But for the truly spectacular species, the Venus flytrap (Dionaea muscipula) and the colourful trumpet pitchers (Sarracenia), you really have to travel a lot further. The interesting thing is that these plants are found in parts of the US (and a small part of Canada) where, just like here, it gets cold in winter. So, no purely tropical greenhouse air, but real seasons, including frost. This report follows our route from North Florida deep into Alabama, location by location, sharing what we learned about caring for carnivorous plants along the way.

1–2. Sarracenia minor: North Florida and South Georgia

We start with Sarracenia minor, the southernmost of all Sarracenia species. Its natural distribution extends to about Orlando, where it barely freezes in winter. This generally makes S. minor from that area less suitable for outdoor cultivation in our climate (NL, BE, DE,...): these plants are simply not accustomed to harsh frost periods. If you are looking for a hardy S. minor for outdoors, opt for a location form from North Florida instead of Central Florida or specifically the so-called "okefenokeensis" variant from the Okefenokee area (later in this report), which are much more cold-resistant.

Another interesting detail here: a natural hybrid between S. psittacina and S. minor, known as Sarracenia × formosa, also occurs in this area.

You can click on the photos to enlarge them.

Habitat overview, S. minor rosettes, D. capilaris, Rhynchospora, and the natural hybrid S. x formosa.

Tattnall County: a unique, vulnerable location

We will keep this location brief and with few photos on purpose: it concerns a very small, highly protected population of special S. purpurea ssp. venosa with remarkably strong, dark venation on the lid, as well as some Sarracenia flava. Precisely because of its vulnerability, we are not providing an exact location or extensive imagery here.

Close-up of S. purpurea ssp. venosa and S. flava

South Carolina: common flava, var. cuprea, and the rare Carolina atropurpurea

In South Carolina, we found abundant common Sarracenia flava var. flava and the copper tones of var. cuprea, as well as plenty of Sarracenia minor, in less sensitive locations. The plants here, in May, were not yet as intensely coloured as those in more southern locations (later in this report).

Common S. flava var. flava and the copper-coloured var. cuprea, close-ups of the lid and landscape views of the savannah.

We deliberately limit one location to a single photo: the one with the striking, dark red S. flava var. atropurpurea. This specific spot is vulnerable and relatively easy to recognise for people familiar with this region, so we will leave it at this one image.

Group photo of Sarracenia flava var. atropurpurea with the dark, almost completely red throat and lid against the green leaf.

📊 Average monthly temperature and precipitation: Netherlands/Belgium vs. Francis Marion NF and Blackwater River State Forest. The climate in, for example, Francis Marion, still differs somewhat from ours in terms of temperature progression. Although it also freezes there, the average temperatures are still substantially higher. So, if you want vibrant colours on your plants as in nature? Then the plants outdoors or in an unheated greenhouse really need full sun all day long!

Just too late (or too early?): a recently burned location

One of the funniest (and most instructive) moments of the trip: we arrived at a location that was literally still smouldering. Charred ground, smoke here and there. What we saw as a disappointment turned out to be a perfectly normal and even necessary management process: these areas are regularly and deliberately set on fire by forest management (prescribed burning). This prevents too much flammable material from accumulating (with the risk of much larger, uncontrolled fires), and at the same time reduces competition from woody plants and shrubs, precisely the kind of competition that Sarracenia cannot tolerate.

Charred/smouldering Sarracenia location Just too late!

Okefenokee Swamp: wet, wild, and full of alligators

Next to one of the absolute highlights of the trip: the Okefenokee Swamp. A huge swamp area where Sarracenia minor, sundews, and numerous other plants grow truly wet, with their roots permanently in the water. In the past, attempts were made to drain parts of this swamp (e.g., for logging and agriculture), but this was never successful due to the enormous size of the swamp, which repeatedly refilled. As a result, it remains one of the most pristine swamp areas in the US.

Alligators, S. minor in the water, sundews, swamp landscape, and the obligatory "Don't feed the gators" sign photo.

En route through Georgia: Sarracenia minors along the road

Further through Georgia, we regularly found Sarracenia minor simply along the side of the road, in ditches and verges. These are usually var. minor: much smaller than their northern relatives, and often crossed with S. psittacina. A recurring, funny experience: because you're so far from civilisation here, a local sometimes stops to ask if everything is alright. The surprised faces when it turns out to be just two Europeans looking at carnivorous plants in a ditch (also at the gas stations along the way, by the way) you'll never forget.

Roadside locations, close-ups Sarracenia minor var. minor, psittacina, and the hybrid S. x formosa again.

Apalachicola, Day 1 and Day 2: flava, rugelii, rubricorpora and tracyi

Then the "real work": the Apalachicola region in the Florida panhandle, with an impressive diversity of Sarracenia in a relatively short distance from each other. Here we found beautiful S. flava var. rugelii and var. rubricorpora, S. purpurea ssp. venosa var. burkii (S. rosea), D. tracyi, Pinguicula, along with stunning landscape views of the savanna itself. A special find: a completely anthocyanin-free S. psittacina (i.e., without red/purple pigments), and also introduced Dionaea muscipula in this area. The Venus flytrap naturally only occurs in the Carolinas but seems to thrive further south as well.

S. flava var. rugelii and var. rubricorpora, D. tracyi, landscape, the anthocyanin-free psittacina, and the introduced Dionaea muscipula.

A psittacina plant growing partially submerged in boggy soil.

Apalachicola, Day 3: leucophylla and x moorei in Franklin County

Day three in the Apalachicola region yielded more beautiful S. flava, but the absolute highlight was finding the rare Sarracenia leucophylla and the hybrid S. × moorei in Franklin County, just a handful of plants in this specific spot. In principle, Sarracenia x excellens (leucophylla x minor) could also occur somewhere in this region, but unfortunately we have never been able to find it. We also have no idea if this hybrid still exists in nature.

The rare leucophylla plants, the x moorei hybrid, just a handful of plants.

Miramar Beach, Bay County: ornata next to Walmart, Sandy Creek Road and other nearby locations

Further west, towards Miramar Beach, we found beautiful Sarracenia flava var. ornata. A funny (and a bit disturbing) detail: the largest location here is literally next to a giant Walmart, right on a busy road. We sincerely hope that this location will still be there in a few years, before construction further encroaches upon it.

Great Sarracenia flava var. ornata in this region and can you spot the frog?

Washington County: red filiformis and tracyi

In Washington County, we found a special location with deep red D. filiformis var. floridana along with some D. tracyi and the natural hybrid between the two. The only location we visited specifically for sundews. This red variant is very rare and worth the detour.

Utricularia, the red D. filiformis form, and the hybrid between this form and D. tracyi.

Half an hour of beach and sea, as a short breather between plant locations.

Yellow River: beautiful plants, vulnerable habitat

At Yellow River, we found S. rubra, S. leucophylla and their hybrid S. × bellii, all beautiful plants. Unfortunately, not much remains of the original locations: a large part grew in the open strips under power lines (power line clearings), and these have been sprayed with herbicides here. Very unfortunate, as power line clearings are often a place where species that need a lot of light can thrive. It is incomprehensible how much has been lost in this way. Another part of the area is on military terrain on the Gulf Coast and is not easily accessible. The rubra ssp. gulfensis influence in the crosses provides somewhat more elegant pitchers and bright red colors.

S. rubra ssp. gulfensis, S. leucophylla, the x bellii hybrid, a location with a handful of plants

⚠️ Habitat loss in practice: Many Sarracenia habitats can thrive under power lines because they were mowed, which Sarracenia can tolerate very well thanks to their rhizome. However, over the past decades, many have been deliberately treated with herbicides to keep vegetation low, without distinguishing rare plants growing there. This type of habitat loss and mismanagement is, in our opinion, one of the greatest threats to wild Sarracenia populations, even more serious than illegal collection.

Leucophylla and D. tracyi growing there like dandelions here: just on the roadside, without fuss. In this spot, the municipality regularly mows the verge and does not use herbicides. Sarracenia are often the first plants to return after mowing. 

The moment of crossing the state border.

Conecuh: pure Sarracenia leucophylla and x moorei

In Conecuh, we primarily found Sarracenia leucophylla, beautiful as a reference point for how the species looks "at its purest" in the wild, although several crosses with Sarracenia flava (x moorei) also occur here. 

"Pure" S. leucophylla, close-ups of the white, veined hood and landscape views of Conecuh.

Citronelle: leucophylla and hybrids

Another stop in Alabama revealed another beautiful S. leucophylla location, with occasional plants showing questionable hybrid characteristics with S. rubra ssp. wherryi, not always one hundred percent certain to identify in the field.

Sarracenia leucophylla, rubra and everything in between.

Buttercup Flats: fields full of Sarracenia alata

Then one of the absolute highlights of the entire trip when it comes to alata: Buttercup Flats. Literally fields full of Sarracenia alata, as far as the eye can see. A beautiful, lovely location that you cannot fully capture with a single photograph. In all colors and shapes, red, green, orange, and even some specimens that were almost entirely black.

Wide landscape shots of the field, close-ups of individual S. alata plants, S. psittacina, and details of hood and veins.

Another leucophylla location: hybrids with alata

At this location, the focus was precisely on hybrids: including the natural cross between S. alata and S. leucophylla, known as Sarracenia × areolata. Although it wasn't really the season for x areolata yet (which usually produces good autumn pitchers), we still managed to find some beautiful plants.

Leucophylla plants with alata influence, illustrating how difficult field identification can sometimes be.

The best for last: Splinter Hill Bog

And then, the absolute highlight for Sarracenia leucophylla: Splinter Hill Bog, with breathtaking white pitcher plants as far as the eye can see. Just like a field back home, but with carnivorous plants instead of wheat.

Sarracenia leucophylla in mass, close-ups of the white, veined hood, and the bog landscape.

Blackwater: hybrid paradise

The absolute finale, and perhaps the best location (actually multiple locations) of the entire trip: Blackwater. Here we found the best natural hybrids of the trip, including beautiful S. × moorei (leucophylla x flava). We therefore spent several days exploring Blackwater River State Forest.