Nepenthes – Asian Pitcher Plant

Nepenthes – Asian pitcher plants can be found worldwide, in tropical climates. Their pitchers are hanging pitchers, which can grow to unimaginable sizes in the wild. Rumour has it that monkeys drink from them, which is why they are often called Monkeycups. The biggest ones can hold up to 2 liters of water and do occasionally drown mammals. We grow easier varieties, that require less humidity.

How they feed:

These pitcher plants attract insects with their colour, and nectar produced around the mouth of the pitcher. The insects drown in the pitcher, where the plant creates a bacterial soup.

How to care for your plant:

1. A position on a windowsill, heated greenhouse or conservatory, where they get a lot of light, but no direct sunshine. In winter a south facing windowsill is fine.
2. Rainwater (or distilled, de-ionised or reverse osmosis water). These need a high humidity, so need to be sprayed weekly, and need to be watered from the top.
3. Feeding: benefits from feeding the plant the occasional slug or other insect.
4. Repotting: when the roots clearly show out of the bottom of the pot.