Darlingtonia californica is also known as Cobra lily and the California pitcher plant. It is part of the family Sarraceniaceae, together with Sarracenia and Heliamphora. Cobra lily is native to Northern California and Oregon. In nature it grows on serpentine soils in bogs and seeps with flowing cold water. The leaves can survive high temperatures. Although the plant can regenerate from its root system after a fire, in general the roots must be kept below 10C at all times.

When I was starting my journey into the world of Carnivorous plants, keeping a Cobra lily alive long term ment Macgyvering a system, that would maintain a flow of cold water over the roots. However, careful selection of stock collected from the heat-hardiest populations produced plants that are easier to grow. Much, much, much easier. HEATPROOF can in fact be grown just like a Sarracenia. I actually keep my mother plant in a tray together with some smaller Sarras. The plant still needs an airy substrate mix and an oversized pot, just to make sure the roots get enough air and the substrate doesn't overheat in summer - but that is nothing compared to growing the plant in a converted fridge.

Cobra lily is a temperate plant. It must have a winter dormant period. If you're not sure it would survive winter in your area, then overwinter it in as cool a place as you can - a cold window, unheated attic, un-heated greenhouse... In freezing conditions it will drop all its leaves, in cool conditions it will keep some. Adult plants produce 1 flower in early spring, before growing first pitchers.

The plant was discovered during the Wilkes Expedition in 1841 by the botanist William D. Brackenridge at Mount Shasta. In 1853 it was described by John Torrey, who named the genus Darlingtonia after the Philadelphian botanist William Darlington (1782–1863).

M plants available in autumn, very limited stock.

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