Source: Wikimedia Commons
Alabama canebrake pitcher plant
IntermediateSarracenia rubra ssp. alabamensis
A pitcher plant surviving at only about a dozen sites in central Alabama. Its finely hairy yellow-green pitchers are veined red, and its reddish-purple flowers smell of raspberries. It is a CITES Appendix I subspecies.
About
Sarracenia rubra subsp. alabamensis, the Alabama canebrake pitcher plant, grows only in Autauga and Chilton Counties in central Alabama, USA. It was collected in 1971 and published as the species S. alabamensis; botanists still disagree on whether it is a subspecies of S. rubra or a species in its own right. Only about a dozen sites remain, and the population in Elmore County is thought to be gone. The tall pitchers are mostly green to yellow-green with reddish veins and are often finely hairy. They are about 20-65 cm tall, and plants form large clumps within a few years. The first spring pitchers are weak and floppy with a large wing, while more robust pitchers follow in summer and autumn. It resembles S. alata, but its flowers are bright reddish-purple and raspberry-scented, whereas S. alata has pale, unscented flowers. It goes dormant in winter, sometimes dying back to the rhizome in very cold weather. Habitat loss, drainage and poaching have led to its listing as Endangered under the US Endangered Species Act and in CITES Appendix I. It is sometimes offered in Japan by specialist nurseries and online, but as an Appendix I plant it needs a registration certificate to be transferred.
Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Size of the Alabama canebrake pitcher plant
The Alabama canebrake pitcher plant grows to Pitchers about 20-65 cm tall.
Basic Info
Origin
Central Alabama, USA (Autauga and Chilton Counties)
Lifespan
Perennial (can be kept for many years by division)
Size
Pitchers about 20-65 cm tall
Temperature
10〜30℃
Humidity
60〜90%
Watering & Fertilizer
No fertilizer (catches insects)
Growing Tips
Light & Placement
Grow outdoors in full sun; with too little light the colour is poor and the pitchers are weak.
Watering
Keep the pot standing in about 4-6 cm of water at all times and never let it dry out. Use rain water or other water low in dissolved minerals.
Soil & Repotting
A 1:1 peat and sand mix is the standard. Divide and repot well-grown plants every 3 or 4 years.
Temperature & Overwintering
Let it go dormant in winter. Fully dormant plants survive a few weeks frozen solid in their pots, but early and late frosts are the danger. Keep the winter spot cool, not warm.
Fertilizer
Do not fertilize the soil of mature plants; it can cause rhizome rot. Plenty of sun and access to prey are enough.
Pests & Cautions
A CITES Appendix I subspecies; selling or giving plants within Japan requires a registration certificate. Do not buy plants without one.
Alabama canebrake pitcher plant FAQ
QWhat is the growing difficulty level for Alabama canebrake pitcher plant?
Intermediate. A variety suitable for intermediate growers. Requires some cultivation experience and knowledge of environment management. Pay careful attention to temperature and humidity control.
QHow large does Alabama canebrake pitcher plant get?
The mature size of Alabama canebrake pitcher plant is Pitchers about 20-65 cm tall. This may vary slightly depending on cultivation environment and individual differences.
QHow should I water and fertilize Alabama canebrake pitcher plant?
Alabama canebrake pitcher plant: watering & fertilizer — No fertilizer (catches insects). Aim for appropriate frequency and amount.
QWhat is the typical price for Alabama canebrake pitcher plant?
The price of Alabama canebrake pitcher plant varies significantly by variety, characteristics, size, and lineage. Please check GrowerDirect's price guide for the latest market information.
Last updated: September 23, 2026
References & Sources
Edited & verified by: GrowerDirect Editorial Team
The classifications, regulations, and growing data on this page are created and verified based on the primary information database below.
Taxonomy & Authority
Accepted name: Sarracenia rubra ssp. alabamensis (Case & R.B.Case) S.McPherson & D.E.Schnell
Synonyms: Sarracenia alabamensis Case & R.B.Case
Authority databases: GBIF · GBIF Sarracenia rubra subsp. alabamensis (Case & R.B.Case) S.McPherson & D.E.Schnell
Nomenclature follows global taxonomic authority databases.
Regulations & Conservation Status
Listed in CITES Appendix I, so international commercial trade is prohibited in principle. Within Japan, transferring a plant (selling or giving it away) in principle requires a registration certificate under the Act on Conservation of Endangered Species, and plants propagated in Japan also have to be registered. Always check that a registration certificate comes with the plant.
Sources: Species+ (CITES) Sarracenia rubra subsp. alabamensis / Species+ (CITES) Sarracenia rubra
Regulations may change. Always verify the latest information with the relevant authorities.
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