Yes, grow them outside. I lived in Irvine but I am now in the Inland Empire where it gets much hotter during the days and it still gets cold at night. Your plants will do fine.

Agreed! I have to put mine in the fridge here in the winter in N.Y. but you should be fine. Enjoy!

thanks for the reply, one more question though -- do I put Sarracenia in the fridge during winter in Irvine or do I leave them outside

thanks tons

I don't know what winter is like where you are but if you don't get frosts I'd leave them outside.

but if I don't get frosts, would my plants go into dormancy?

The will do fine outside year round in S. CA. They will still go dormant in late fall/winter from the shorter daylight hours. Just make sure in dry times you use good water, rain, distilled or RO. Start catching rain water now if you haven't already.

but if I don't get frosts, would my plants go into dormancy?

They will still go dormant in late fall/winter from the shorter daylight hours.

LOL!

We don't get too many frosts out here in Riverside and my plants went dormant around late October/early November. It gets cold enough in Irvine, and like Taz said, the hours of sunlight will decrease and send them into dormancy.

Sorry Taz lol, I didn't check my message on time so I posted a question that was already being answered.

And for the water, is it okay if I use tap water with instant water conditioner for aquarium -- would that be okay for the plants?

Sure, if you want to kill your plants. Most tap water has too many dissolved solids. If the TDS is below 100 it's fine but I doubt your tap water is that pure.

Rain, distilled or RO only.