Tropical Nepenthes hybrid pitcher plant shipped in a 2″ pot. Grows year-round indoors or outdoors in warm climates.
$12.99
In stock
Description
These are tropical Nepenthes hybrids — carnivorous pitcher plants that grow tube-shaped traps used to catch and digest insects. Native to Southeast Asia, Madagascar, and parts of Australia, Nepenthes have fascinated growers for centuries. Some of the earliest documented collections date back to the 17th and 18th centuries, when European explorers brought these strange plants back from the tropics for botanical gardens and conservatories. Today, hybrids are the most popular form in cultivation because of their stronger growth, better adaptability, and unique combinations of color and pitcher shape.
Nepenthes grow from a rhizome, which is a central stem-like base that stays close to the soil and continuously sends out new leaves and pitchers. This growth style allows the plant to recover from stress or damage and gradually spread outward. As long as the rhizome remains healthy, the plant can regenerate.
Unlike temperate species, tropical Nepenthes do not go dormant and will grow all year when kept warm, humid, and consistently watered. Each plant is shipped in a 2″ nursery pot, already rooted and actively growing. The plant shown has been in our nursery just over a month and reflects what these hybrids can develop into with good care.
Outdoor Growing Zones
🪴 Outdoors, they can be grown year-round in USDA Zones 10–11, including areas like southern Florida, coastal California, and southern Texas. In other zones, they should be kept indoors or moved inside during colder months. Exposure to temperatures below 50–55°F can slow growth or damage the plant.
Indoor Placement
🌿 Indoors, they thrive on bright windowsills, in shaded greenhouses, or in humid terrariums with good airflow. High humidity improves pitcher size and frequency, but many hybrids will still grow in average household humidity if watering is consistent.
Care Summary
Use only distilled, rain, or reverse osmosis water. Avoid tap water — the minerals will accumulate and damage the roots over time.
Bright indirect light or filtered sun is ideal. Avoid deep shade or hot, direct sun.
Maintain 60–90% humidity when possible. Grouping plants or using a humidity tray helps.
Use long-fiber sphagnum moss or a carnivorous plant mix.
Keep the pot sitting in ¼–½” of standing water.
Repot when the media breaks down, the plant leans, or you see offshoots forming — usually every 6–12 months.
Feeding is optional. Outdoors, they’ll catch insects. Indoors, they grow fine without it, though wingless fruit flies or small dried insects can be offered if pitchers are active.
Growth Habit and Origins
Nepenthes hybrids are typically upright to semi-vining and may begin to trail with age. Some produce basal offshoots from the rhizome, which can be repotted or left to cluster. There are more than 170 known Nepenthes species, many of which are endangered in the wild. Hybrid forms combine the best traits of multiple species, offering color, durability, and faster growth — all in a form that performs well in home conditions with minimal effort.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I grow this plant indoors year-round?
A: Yes. Nepenthes hybrids grow well on bright windowsills, under grow lights, or in open terrariums with good airflow and humidity.
Q: Do I need to feed it insects?
A: No. Pitchers will form naturally with proper light, humidity, and warmth. Outdoors, they may catch bugs on their own. Indoors, feeding is optional.
Q: Can I grow it outside?
A: Only in USDA Zones 10–11. In cooler climates, these hybrids must be kept indoors or brought inside during cold weather.
Q: How fast do these plants grow?
A: With stable conditions, new leaves and pitchers can form every few weeks. Growth rate depends on temperature, humidity, and light.
Q: Can I keep it in a terrarium?
A: Yes, as long as there is adequate airflow. Open or ventilated terrariums work best to prevent mold or stagnant conditions.
