🌸 Buy Mexican Butterworts – Pinguicula for Sale in South Africa
Pinguicula, commonly called butterworts, are fascinating insect-eating plants from the mountainous regions of Mexico and Central America. In their natural habitat, they grow on mossy rocks, limestone cliffs, and tree stumps — soaking up filtered sunlight and catching tiny insects with their sticky, succulent-like leaves.
Each leaf is covered in microscopic glands that secrete a glistening mucilage. When unsuspecting fungus gnats or flying insects land, they stick fast — and the leaf slowly digests them for nutrients. In nature, this helps them survive in poor, mineral-deficient soils — but in your home, it turns them into a natural pest-control dream.
🪰 Why are butterworts so popular?
Orchid growers love them for their ability to control fungus gnats in humid setups. Succulent collectors are drawn to their compact size and rosette growth — but unlike most succulents, pings actually do something! They're also fantastic on sunny windowsills, in terrariums, paludariums, ...or mounted displays — pings on rocks are a must-see, and we even teach you how to do it in our hands-on Terrarium Workshop.
🌞 Perfect for: North-facing windowsills, grow light setups, terrariums, paludariums, and semi-shade spots outdoors in summer.
🪴 Easy to grow: Mexican butterworts are great for beginners and collectors alike. Most species grow from November to May, then enter a winter rest period where the carnivorous leaves are replaced by tiny succulent ones in a tight rosette. Pinguicula gigantea and its hybrids are an exception — they stay leafy all year round!
🛒 Where to buy Mexican Pinguicula?
You’ll find our full range of Mexican butterworts right here on our website — shop online and we’ll deliver nationwide. Prefer to browse in person? Selected varieties are also available at our retail partner, Dorry Pets in Centurion.
🌍 Exclusive to Cultivo:
Butterworts are still uncommon in most collections, but Cultivo stocks the largest variety of Mexican Pinguicula in South Africa — including my own seed-grown crosses and rare imports from top international breeders. Every plant is fully acclimatised and ready to thrive in South African conditions. Whether you’re starting out or hunting for rare species and hybrids — this is the best place to grow your collection.