Growing Nepenthes Around the House

Nepenthes are elaborate carnivorous plants that can be grown quite successfully indoors or outdoors with or without using a greenhouse. Depending on where you live many of the needs of Nepenthes can be met by adapting them to your growing environment. Nepenthes are extremely versatile and adaptable to many different growing conditions. With the advent of tissue culture and more vendors, many rare and highly sought after species are widely available today. And cheaper too!

I grow my Nepenthes literally "around the house." I used to grow lowlanders under grow lights in a closet with great success. However, I soon ran out of space because my plants became too large for the enclosure and my electric bills went up quite a bit so I gave that practice up. I found out by experimentation that I could successfully grow highlanders outdoors year around and some highland / intermediates as windowsill or "houseplants." Results do vary from species to species, hybrid to hybrid, and the success I've encountered may not be the same for other growers in different parts of the country or world. Recently I've set up a small aquarium under a fluorescent light to experiment with younger Nepenthes indoors.


Highlanders
I grow primarily highland Nepenthes outdoors. When they get larger, I grow them in full sun in hanging pots. They prefer lower temperatures than their lowlander counterparts. Highlanders appreciate lower temperatures and fluctuation. In other words, they need a night time temperature drop. Daytime highs in the 70's to low 80's and night time lows in the 50's to upper 40's are perfect. Extremes of 10 degrees or more in either direction for limited times seems to be acceptable. My acclimated plants can easily withstand night temperatures into the 40's upper 30's without damage. Exposure to long term temperatures in the upper 80's to low 90's or upper 30's to low 40's may slow down growth or result in loss of the plant.


Intermediates

Intermediates enjoy temperatures from the upper 70's to upper 80's during the day and a partial night time temperature drop to mid 50's. As the name infers, they grow similar to both highlanders and lowlanders. I generally grow my intermediates outdoors. Depending on the species / hybrid I may grow them indoors if space permits. Most intermediates can be grown indoors providing their other cultivation needs are met. Many hybrids fall into intermediate status and make good candidates to try growing as "windowsill" or hanging houseplants. I've found that intermediates can be grown either as a highlander or a lowlander depending on the species / hybrid. Hybrids where the female parent is a lowlander generally like it warmer. Whereas if the female parent is a highlander they like it cooler. Intermediates can be finicky to grow as a true lowlander or a highlander. So it is best to ask the grower you're buying your plant from how they're growing it. 

 


Lowlanders
 

Lowlanders appreciate hotter humid conditions than highlanders. They like daytime temperatures in the 80's to low 90's and night time temperatures in the 60's to low 70's. Some varieties can tolerate temperature drops into the 50's for limited periods of time without damage. Extended exposure to temperatures in the upper 40's and low 50's may result in damage or loss of the plant. I usually grow true lowlanders indoors as houseplants, or "windowsill" plants without misting, grow lights, or humidifiers with varied success. Most lowlanders grow better in typical hot high humidity environments than household conditions can provide. However, some lowlanders and lowland hybrids can be acclimated to household conditions successfully with a little experimentation. Consult your vendor / distributor for their advice. Some distributors will tell you how their plants adjust to different growing conditions.

 

Cultivation of Nepenthes

Nepenthes Purchasing and Discussion