How much sun does Common Butterwort need?

Common Butterwort grows best in full sun conditions.

When does Common Butterwort bloom?

Common Butterwort blooms in May, June, and July.

Where is Common Butterwort native?

Common Butterwort (Pinguicula vulgaris) is native to ME, MI, MN, NH and 3 more states, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.

Is Common Butterwort HOA-friendly?

Common Butterwort takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Common Butterwort

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Pinguicula vulgaris

Last reviewed: August 2026

Toxicity unknown

Common Butterwort (Pinguicula vulgaris) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.

Light

full sun

Water

high

Size

2"–8" H × 2"–6" W

Bloom

May, Jun, Jul

Native to

ME, MI, MN, NH and 3 more states

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Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 452 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

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Browse plants for this ecoregion

Northern Lakes and Forests Northeastern Highlands

Common butterwort is a tiny carnivorous perennial that forms small rosettes of sticky, pale green leaves. It produces delicate purple flowers on short stems during late spring and summer. This unusual plant requires consistently moist to wet soil conditions.

In an HOA neighborhood

Common Butterwort takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: high. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Works well in: backyard only.

Extremely small and unusual appearance may look like weeds
Requires boggy conditions that appear unmaintained
Carnivorous nature and tiny size make it inappropriate for formal landscapes

Wildlife value

The small purple flowers attract tiny pollinators like small flies and gnats. As a carnivorous plant, it helps control small flying insects in the garden.

Common questions

How much sun does Common Butterwort need?: Common Butterwort grows best in full sun conditions.
When does Common Butterwort bloom?: Common Butterwort blooms in May, June, and July.
Where is Common Butterwort native?: Common Butterwort (Pinguicula vulgaris) is native to ME, MI, MN, NH and 3 more states, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
Is Common Butterwort HOA-friendly?: Common Butterwort takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

If something looks wrong

Common plant problems, and what to check first

These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.

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