Pinguicula lusitanica is a species restricted to coastal areas from the Mediterranean coast of North-Western Africa, along the Atlantic coast of Spain, France to Southern England, all coastal regions of Ireland and Scottland, reaching even the Orkney Islands. Pinguicula lusitanica grows mainly in sphagnum bogs, and can be submerged by few centimeter for few days, most of the time during rains season. Pinguicula lusitanica is the easiest warm temperate Pinguicula to grow.
The leaves of this plant are similar to those of Pinguicula vulgaris. They are a little more round in shape. The leaves also show a very nice red teinted vein on the green leaves. The leaves of Pinguicula are in basal rosettes and are covered with sticky, mucilage-secreting and digestive hairs. The margins roll inward in response to contact of the hairs by potential prey organisms. Nitrogenous and other nutrients released by the digested prey supplement the plant's requirements. These modifications help such plant species compete in nutrient-deficient habitats.
The flowers are pale mauve or whitish with yellow throat and 6 mm in diameter. They are strongly curved downwards. The flower is much smaller and paler than that of Pinguicula vulgaris, and the leaves tend often to be reddish in colour.
It is an annual bi or triannual species than doesn't produce Winter hibernacula but the Winter leaves are smaller and sometimes only the heart of the plant stay green while all is brownish around. In Summer, it produces new leaves and many flowers that self-pollinated. Pinguicula Lusitanica can flower a half year after germination.
Hardiness zone 11, (4øC/40øF) in Winter. Pinguicula lusitanica require dry Winter conditions. This species is one of the easiest to grow as it accept a vast range of growing conditions. It grows under sun in many places, only shaded by small grasses. Warm temperate Pinguicula grow well in a mixture of three parts peat moss, one part silica sand, and one part perlite. Best grown outdoors as a container or potted plant. Because of their specific soil requirement, avoid planting them in the ground. Excellent for the deck or patio. Use rain water poured on the top of the pot taking care not to wet the rosette.