Updated 11/24/07
Cobra Lily - Darlingtonia californica
Growing:
Typical
Light: I did try to grow 2 plants outside in full sun, both died due to high temperatures in the summer. I do grow this plant as a windowsill plant in a south facing window.
Soil: I grow mine in a mix of peat moss, long fiber sphagnum, lava rock, and perlite.
Water: Use rainwater, distilled, or reverse osmosis. Use the tray method. Place your Cobra in a plastic water tray with 1/2" of water. I let the water in the tray evaporate and stay dry for a day or two before I water the plant again.
Humidity: Cobra Lilies should have humidity no less then 40%.
Climate: Cobra Lilies need to be kept cool and moist. Temperatures of 65-85°F summers, and chilly winters down to 35°F. The Cobra Lily needs to go dormant for at least 3 months in the winter time.
Cobra Lilies are native of northern California and southern Oregon. They usually grow near mountain streams were there is a constant flow of fresh cool water running over there root system.
The common name given to Darlingtonia is Cobra Lily as the modified leaves form upright pitchers which are hooded with a slight twist and the front part of the leaf is divided in to what appears to be a forked tongue.
The Cobra Lily attracts insects by it's colorful, nectar baited tongue. The Cobra Lily has transparent windows on top and a circular hole at the bottom of it's puffed hood. The forked tongue attaches at the circular hole where the nectar is heaviest. An insect may be lured into this circular hole with help from the sunshine shining through the transparent windows. Once inside The insect is trapped. The circular hole is designed like a minnow trap, so escape is unlikely. The insect tumbles down the tube. This tube has slippery downward pointing hairs. The fluid at the bottom of the tube produces no enzymes to aid in the digestion of the insects, instead bacteria and other microorganisms help to break down the insect. This nutrient rich fluid is then absorb by the plant.
Cobra Lilies like cool root systems. The plants I tried growing outside in direct sunlight died in the summer. The days were getting hotter and refrigerated water did not help keep the plants root system cool enough. My last resort to grow this plant would be as a windowsill plant, which has been working great for a few years now.
Since Cobra Lilies need a dormancy period, in the fall when the temps are cool, I place the plant outside so it can start getting ready for dormancy. Once the temperatures get to the freezing point, I bring the plant into my unheated garage. It will stay in the garage till early spring when I place it outside again. Once the temperatures start to increase in late spring I move the plant inside the A/C house to grow the hot summer on the windowsill.
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