Genlisea tuberosa

A small rootless corkscrew plant from the campos rupestres of central and eastern Brazil, unique in its genus for forming underground tubers. It grows in open sun on fast-draining sand that is soaked in the wet season and dries out in winter, when the plant retreats to its tubers.

At home, aim for

Day IntermediateTargets in Plantistry

Night A clear drop at nightTargets in Plantistry

Humidity Ordinary room humidityBand in Plantistry

Light Full sunDLI and PPFD in Plantistry

Expects a seasonal restGrows in the ground

Where it grows wild

Seasonally wet, fast-draining sandy soils in open rocky grassland (campo rupestre), alongside other Genlisea, Utricularia, Drosera and grasses. Its colourless underground trap leaves catch protozoa in the wet sand.

Recorded at about 414–1500 m, median 1000 m; the literature gives 800–1500 m.

Minas GeraisGoiásDistrito FederalBahia

🔒 Growing it like that

The wild conditions above, turned into targets for a shelf, a tent or a greenhouse. The full profile has:

✓ Day and night temperature targets, and the limits it tolerates

✓ Humidity band, and how to hold it

✓ Light as DLI and PPFD for a grow light

✓ Wet and dry seasons, and whether to rest it

✓ Substrate and airflow

✓ A step-by-step setup to grow it like the wild

Grow Genlisea tuberosa? Add it to a free garden and its full profile opens. Pro opens all 38,374 profiles in the library, plants and fungi.

Start free Sign in

More Genlisea

Genlisea aurea Genlisea margaretae Genlisea violacea Genlisea repens Genlisea africana Genlisea hispidula Genlisea lobata Genlisea pygmaea Genlisea subglabra Genlisea filiformis Genlisea angolensis Genlisea barthlottii All 30 →

Profiles are drafts built from measured range and climate and from published sources; each section carries its own confidence in the app.