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Species library › Utricularia › Utricularia inflata
Carnivorous Well documented

Utricularia inflata

A large, free-floating bladderwort from the southeastern United States. When it flowers it holds its yellow flowers above the water on a floating wheel of 6–8 inflated, spongy spokes. It is widely regarded as the easiest suspended aquatic bladderwort to grow and needs no dormancy. It spreads so readily that it is a regulated invasive in Washington and has naturalised in the northeastern US, so never release it outdoors.

At home, aim for
Day IntermediateTargets in Plantistry
Night Close to the dayTargets in Plantistry
Humidity Dry airBand in Plantistry
Light Full sunDLI and PPFD in Plantistry
No rest periodAquatic

Where it grows wild

It floats freely, without roots, in lakes, ponds, ditches, swamps and slow water, in both shallow and fairly deep water, at low altitude. The water is usually soft, acid and low in nutrients. Its traps catch water fleas and other small animals.

Lowland only. The measured Florida sites are at 15–54 m.

Southeastern United States (coastal plain, Texas to Florida and north to Virginia and New Jersey)

🔒 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

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