Location: DARLINGTONIA requires an area with as much humidity as possible. A terrarium is ideal. Select an area that has bright indirect light. Morning sun is usually OK, check for burning of foliage. Growing under Grow-Lux lamps is fine for 16 to 18 hours per day. Avoid humidity robbing drafts from heater and air conditioners. The ideal day temperature is between 65 to 80 degrees, and nights should not go below 40°F. Avoid heat, especially at night!
Watering: Cobras need to be kept moist at all times. For best results use distilled water or rain water. Tap water with low salt content is acceptable provided water is allowed to stand overnight, to remove the chlorine. It is very difficult to over water.
Feeding: None should be necessary. If you care to feed use freshly caught insects every six weeks. Avoid processed meats.
Transplanting: You can transplant your DARLINGTONIA with sphagnum moss, with a layer of perlite or gravel at the bottom of terrarium or pot.
Additional Information: The Cobra Lily is native to a small area northern California and Oregon. It is closely related to the Pitcher Plant. They can grow to a maximum of three feet. They flower in the spring, and in the cool summer sun reddens the tops of the cobras head. Cobras produce "Clear cells", which create the little windows on the top of its head.
The Cobra attracts insects into its "Mouth" using nectar glands. The victim is lured inside the lip. Once inside tiny hairs lead the insect completely inside the Cobras mouth. The hairs prevent escape as the insect tries to fly through the clear windows scatter through the Cobras head. Eventually the insect falls to the liquid at the bottom and drowns.