Carnivorous Hanging Plants

Lowland Species

• The lowland species grow below 3,000 feet in open meadows and on sunny ridges. The lowland species like 80 percent humidity, temperatures above 85 degrees at night and days that are even warmer. It is possible to create high humidity in a home environment with regular misting or by growing the plant near a humidifier, but truthfully these plants are better suited to a hothouse. The ideal variety for the beginner or indoor grower is N. gracilis. It is fast-growing, easy to root in water and quite adaptable. Other fairly easy lowland species to grow are N. rafflesiana and N. x trichocarpa.

Highland Species

• The tropical pitcher plant highland species grow at elevations between 3,000 and 10,000 feet above sea level. The temperatures are around 70 degrees during the day. At night the temperatures fall to 50 degrees or lower. Frost seldom occurs except at the highest elevations, however misty, rainy conditions especially at night, are normal. In the wild, these plants grow in mossy forests where the sun seldom shines. This makes them ideal for growing indoors in windows or in shady areas where natural light is limited. Good varieties to grow are N. khasiana, N. alata and N. ventricosa.

Environmental Conditions

• Moist to wet soil that drains well is the ideal growing environment for the root system of tropical pitcher plants. Make your own soil by combining one part peat moss, one part long-fibered sphagnum moss, one part orchid bark, one part vermiculite and one part perlite. Line a wooden orchid basket with a layer of long-fibered sphagnum moss and then fill it with your homemade soil mix. Tropical pitcher plants grow well in other types of containers provided they have adequate drainage holes.Overhead watering is best. In the home, sit the plants under the shower or in the sink and use the spray nozzle. If this is not an option, simply pour water on the surface of the soil. The most important thing to remember is the water needs to drain away, so do not sit them in saucers. The higher the temperature is where the plants grow, the more frequently the plant needs watered. Crickets and mealworms -- fresh or dried -- are an ideal feed supplement. Apply Terracycle orchid fertilizer during the warmer months. The application rate is one ounce of fertilizer for a five inch or smaller pot. Spray it on the foliage and soil twice a month.

Pitcher Plant Care And Propagation

• Remove larger stems to encourage the development of new basal shoots, keep the plant compact and prevent it from climbing. Avoid pruning stems that are already climbing until the basal shoots fully develop. Remove the old stems, large leaves and basal shoots when repotting. Trim the roots, then soak the plants in Superthrive mixed at a rate of 1/4 teaspoon per gallon of water. Sterilize the new pot using hydrogen peroxide, rinse well, fill it with new soil and plant. Pot up basal shoots, sow seed or take stem cuttings to propagate. Thrips, scale, mealybug and rusty spots are the typical pests and disease that tropical pitcher plants get. Pick the pests off by hand or use a hard spray of water to dislodge them. For plants infected with rust, blend 1/4 pound garlic with one quart of water, then add 1/4 cup of this mixture to 2 1/4 cups of water and spray it on your plant. The healthier the plant, the less likely it is to be bothered by pests and disease because it is better able to fight them off on its own.