Pinguicula cyclosecta (WA Prohibited)

Pinguicula cyclosecta is a compact Mexican butterwort found in limestone-rich regions of Nuevo León. It grows in shallow soils over rock or in crevices where moisture is seasonally available, experiencing warm, wet summers and cooler, drier winters. This cyclical climate shapes its seasonal growth patterns.

The plant forms a rosette of broad, flat leaves that are often tinged with purple, particularly when grown in strong light. Leaf surfaces are covered in tiny glands that exude sticky mucilage, trapping and digesting small insects to supplement its nutrient intake. In winter, it shifts to a tight rosette of succulent, non-carnivorous leaves to reduce water loss.

Flowering typically occurs during the active growth phase, with blooms borne singly on slender stalks above the foliage. Flowers are an intense violet with a contrasting white throat, sometimes displaying darker veining. Each flower may last for several days, and healthy plants can produce multiple blooms over the season.

Care Tips:

• Light: Bright, indirect light; strong light encourages purple leaf colouration.
• Water: Use rainwater, distilled, or reverse-osmosis water. Keep soil moist in summer; reduce watering during winter rosette phase.
• Humidity: Moderate humidity with good air circulation.
• Media: Nutrient-poor mix such as peat with sand or perlite; avoid fertiliser in the soil.
• Fertiliser: Not necessary in the medium; may be fed small insects occasionally if natural prey is absent.
• Temperature: Prefers mild conditions between 15–25 °C; protect from frost.
• Repotting: Repot annually before the active growing season to refresh the medium.