Utricularia Alpina • Rare Epiphytic Bladderwort • Collectors Item

Utricularia alpina is one of the most sought-after epiphytic bladderworts in cultivation — and for good reason. It’s a bold, slow-growing species with thick, paddle-shaped leaves and large, orchid-like blooms in soft pastel tones. When mature, U. alpina produces multiple flowers on upright stalks, creating a truly impressive display in terrariums or greenhouse conditions.

This species is native to parts of the Caribbean and northern South America, where it grows in highland forests on mossy rocks, tree bark, or among leaf litter. It thrives in high humidity, moderate temperatures, and bright, filtered light — making it ideal for experienced growers with a terrarium, cabinet, or dedicated grow space.

Utricularia alpina is an epiphyte, but like all bladderworts, it’s still carnivorous. Hidden beneath the moss or substrate are its tiny bladder traps — vacuum-powered structures that catch and digest microscopic organisms for nutrition.

This is a true collector’s item, available only in limited numbers and rarely offered in South Africa. Each plant is carefully grown out and fully acclimatised for success in local conditions.

🪴 Growing Tips & Care Info

• 🌿 Epiphytic grower – thrives on a mossy mount, bark slab, or in a loose orchid-style mix
• 🔆 Bright filtered light – avoid harsh direct sun
• 💧 High humidity required (ideal for terrariums or cabinets)
• 🪴 Pot into live sphagnum moss or mix of moss, orchid bark, and perlite
• 🚿 Keep consistently moist – never allow the roots to dry out

With the right care, this species will reward you with lush growth and eye-catching blooms. A must-have for collectors of rare carnivorous plants.

Personally grown and carefully acclimatised at Cultivo, this is a genuine collector’s specimen — and one of the very few epiphytic Utricularia species available in South Africa.

Ordering

• 🛒 Website items are available online only – We ship anywhere in South Africa
• ⏳ Processing Time – Paid orders are usually processed within 24 hours on weekdays and shipped within 2-3 days (Monday to Friday)

Payment

• 🔒 Secure Payments – Pay via Yoco or Payfast. We also accept EFTs

Delivery

• 🚚 Delivery Options – Full tracking available with Pargo and door-to-door courier. Pickup and Local delivery within Gauteng available
• 📧 Order Updates – Opt-in for email notifications by checking the box at checkout
• 💰 Shipping Rates from R139 – Get a free, instant estimate using the shipping calculator on the cart page before checking out! This rate covers all packaging materials and actual delivery costs—what you see is what you pay - no hidden fees!
• ✨ Free Shipping on all orders over R2000

• Just a quick heads-up: Since plants are natural products, you might notice some slight variations when unboxing your plants
• We do our best to make sure the plants you receive look like the ones in the photos, but keep in mind that seasons change and plants grow. Some leaves might age and die off, new ones might sprout and the plants may look a bit different over time
• 99% of what we sell are one-of-a-kind collector items, so you will receive the exact plant pictured. The labels are spot on, so even if the plant looks a bit different, we 100% guarantee it's the real deal
• Also, all the photos you see are of our own plants unless we mention otherwise. We update images occasionally to keep things fresh. If you want to see updated pictures before you buy, just let us know – we're happy to help!