Darlingtonia Californica (Gasquet, California, USA) • Cobra Lily Pitcher Plant
Eish… this one's gone!
Discover what’s still available ⤵️
- At Cultivo, every release is carefully selected and grown with purpose. We don’t mass restock - most plants are small-batch, seasonal or one-of-a-kind “exact plant pictured” pieces. Once they’re sold, they’re truly gone. That’s why you won’t see a typical “email me when available” option on these listings
- Some seasonal items or small-batch variants may return in the future. If that happens, we’ll update the original listing with new photos and details
- 🔔 For updates on new and rare arrivals, keep an eye on our New Arrivals Collection or join our VIP list above.
- 📚 Want to know how stock works at Cultivo? Read "When will … be back in stock?" in our FAQ Library
🌀 Darlingtonia californica (Gasquet, California) – Rare Seed-Grown Cobra Lily
Darlingtonia californica — better known as the Cobra Lily or Cobra Pitcher Plant — is one of the most unusual carnivorous plants in cultivation. This exact plant is a 5-year-old seed-grown specimen from the Gasquet, California population, showing its first cobra-headed traps and already developing the curved hoods that give this species its name.
Seed-grown Cobra Lilies are extremely rare due to the difficulty of sourcing viable seed and germinating it successfully. This plant was grown from a seed batch at Cultivo (AV#129) and is now fully established, acclimatised, and ready to grow. It’s also sent potted to protect the delicate roots, making this an ideal collector’s plant for growers wanting something with true genetic individuality
🌱 What Makes This Cobra Lily So Awesome?
- ✔ Seed-grown original – no two plants in the world is alike
- ✔ 5 years old – showing early cobra hoods with curved traps
- ✔ Rare Gasquet population – with verified location data
- ✔ Cultivo Exclusive – grown from seed (Batch AV#129)
- ✔ Genetically unique – ideal as a future breeding parent
- ✔ Sent potted – to minimise transplant stress and protect the root system
- ✔ Exact plant pictured – what you see is what you’ll receive
🐍 How Do Cobra Lilies Trap Prey?
Cobra Lilies don’t rely on digestive fluids like most carnivorous plants. Instead, their traps use translucent windows and false exits to confuse insects. Prey enters the hood and becomes disoriented by the light, eventually sliding down a tubular path into a reservoir, where it's digested by symbiotic bacteria. This fascinating mechanism makes them one of the most complex traps in the plant kingdom.
💡 Where it Grows best
This plant prefers bright light and cool root zones. It's perfect for terrariums, paludariums, cool greenhouses, or shaded outdoor setups with constant moisture. Grow it under full-spectrum LED lighting or in a spot with stable temps for best results.
Recommended for carni fans who want to grow something truly legendary!
📦 How It Ships
- 🪴 Sent potted – in an airy carnivorous mix to protect sensitive roots
- 📦 Carefully packed – shipped securely to avoid damage
- 📸 Exact plant pictured – no surprises or substitutes
🌟 One Available · Cultivo Exclusive
This is a once-off collector’s item — a 5-year-old seed-grown Cobra Lily from the Gasquet, California population. With location data, genetic individuality, and early cobra trap development, this plant is not to be missed.
