This listing is for a seed grown Aristolochia argentina. They are currently grown in intermediate conditions in a standard potting mix. Photos are representative of the plants for sale.
Aristolochia, or Dutchman's pipevine are vining plants that grow in tropical and temperate climates. They produce unusual flowers that often resemble a cross between Nepenthes and Sarracenia and do employ the same pit-fall tactics to ensnare insects. These flowers, however, do not seek to kill or digest these pollinators, but instead trap them to ensure thorough pollination before the blossom wilts and they are released to ideally repeat the process with the next flower. The species we sell are tropical varieties from South American rainforests, and as such they enjoy similar growing conditions to Nepenthes, or can be grown outdoors seasonally. They do also share their growth habit as a "liana" or woody vine, and can be seen growing up and along your other vining Nepenthes as they decorate them with exotic blossoms!
Argentina produces the smallest but most prolific flowers in our collection. It blooms most of the season for us, from spring until the first cool nights of fall. The flowers do not have much of a scent, unlike most other species. They are readily self pollinated if grown outdoors.
This species does NOT appear to be a viable host plant for Pipevine Swallowtails in our experiments.
