Tropical Pitcher Plants (Nepenthes)
Without doubt, these are the most extravagant carnivorous plants next to the Venus flytrap.
Native to Madagascar and the Seychelles, India and Indochina, throughout the islands of Southeast Asia and even Australia.
Watering
Please only water me from above. I come from a tropical area where it rains a lot so feel free to get my leaves wet too. I also love being sprayed regularly with water.
If there is ever any water in my tray, please empty it out. If I get too wet my roots will rot. To avoid this, I should never be left standing in deep water for long periods of time.
Light
Bright shady areas up to partly sunny.
Where to Keep Me
Just like you, I like a warm house. So please keep me inside, especially in winter.
If my new home is in the north of NZ I can go outside in summer, as long as it is still a shady spot as I can get sunburnt.
Dormancy
I may slow down a little when it’s colder but I will grow year-round. This way you can show me off to your friends any time you like.
Feeding
I will catch my own food, but feel free to drop something in my mouth. I love flies, spiders and any other bugs. Please do not use fertilisers on me as a lot will harm me more than they will help me.
Soil Recipe
I live in long fiber sphagnum, the one from NZ is the best in the world I hear. I also like a mix of sphagnum, peat moss, pumice, sand, vermiculite, perlite and orchid bark. If you need to repot me, please do not use regular soil, I will not survive.