Featured Plant of the Week (Pitcher Plant)

Pitcher Plants

Nepenthes are a type of carnivorous plant well known for their curious looking pitchers. They are mainly native to Southeast Asia, but can also be found in Madagascar, Sri Lanka, and Australia. There are around 120 species of the genus Nepenthes, many of which are native to very small regions. Some can only be found on individual mountains. The name Nepenthes comes from the drug nepenthe, which was used by Helen of Troy in Homer’s Odyssey. They are more commonly called pitcher plants, and sometimes monkey cups which refers to the fact that monkeys have been observed drinking from them.

Nepenthes are actually climbers, using tendrils that grow from the tips of their sword shaped leaves to hold onto a host tree. From these tendrils grow the famous pitchers that the plant uses to catch its prey. The pitchers are a form of pitfall trap, ensnaring a variety of insects and even larger animals like small rats, frogs, or lizards. The trap contains a fluid of the plant’s own production, which is used to drown the trapped prey. The interior walls of the pitcher are covered in a slick waxy coating, making escape from the fluid very difficult. Furthermore, the rims of the pitchers are also ribbed and very slippery, making for dangerous footing.

Curiously, some species of Nepenthes have actually developed symbiotic relationships with their prey. For example, one kind called Nepenthes albomarginata actually plays host to termites, which like to feed on fibrous hairs on the pitchers. In the process of gathering these fibers for their colony some of the termite workers are lost as they fall into the trap. However, these losses are apparently outweighed by the amount of food the plant provides, because the termite colony persists in sending workers back in spite of the hazard. Other symbiotic relationships are more conventional with some species of insects and even one kind of crab that use the pitchers as shelters and a source of food. The benefits the plant gains from this are usually better digestion of captured prey and some protection from more destructive pests.

Nepenthes are a little challenging to grow compared to other plants. They prefer humid and warm environments, and while some varieties can thrive in cooler climates its best to keep them as indoor plants unless they are in a subtropical region. Their growing media must stay moist, but the roots should not stand in water. It’s also necessary to keep about a ½”of water in the pitchers; otherwise the plant will drop them. There is no need to actually feed the plant prey, but doing so certainly won’t hurt.

6” Hanging Nepenthes are available now at Bloomrite® Gardens for $9.95 per plant. They are provided in a grower’s pot with a hanger. We’re bringing in a large number over the course of the next two weeks, but a recent frost has made their availability limited and will prevent us from bringing in more for three or four weeks after. If you’re interested in purchasing 6” Nepenthes place an order to guarantee availability, because they will sell fast.