Table of Contents
What Is a Pitcher Plant?
Pitcher plants, also known as “Nepentheses,” get their name from the structure of its foliage, which resemble a pitfall pitcher and serve as a trap for insects and animals. They are also known as carnivorous plants. It is a tropical plant that is mostly found in places with nutrient deficient soils and the reason for its nature of getting nutrients from its prey. It can live up to 10-20 years and will take 5-10 years to produce flowers. This will continue to grow stems throughout its lifespan.
7 Pitcher Plant Care Instructions
Pitcher plants are quite simple to maintain just make sure to follow these guidelines to keep them alive and healthy for several generations. Here’s the guide to make your Pitcher plants stay healthy at home.
1. Suitable Environment Of Your Pitcher Plants
You must keep in mind that Pitcher plants thrive in tropical climates with no frost, more than enough exposure, and plenty of water. Having this as a plant indoors, you have to mimic the environment. You’ll really have to think about what kind of Pitcher Plants you’ll have as well as which ones have such best probability of thriving in your area. If you are located with long warm days and nights all year, you have to get the lowland species. Highland species will be best for cooler nights and warm days.
2. Sunlight for your Pitcher Plant
Pitcher plants do well in both direct sunlight and partial shade. Each day, it requires a minimum 6-10 hours of daylight. You can put it in a sunny part of your home.
3. Pitcher Plants Do not need rich soil
Pitcher Plants can be grown in a variety of potted soils as long as they are low in nutrients, wet, and drained well.
4. Pitcher Plants Need Water
A Pitcher Plant, like any other indoor plant, needs a minimal amount of water to remain healthy. Water the plants until the soil is moist and not soggy. You have to make sure that the pot is thoroughly drained. It is also good to put no more than 50% full of water in them. You can water them between 3-4 days and never let the soil dry out.
5. Pitcher Plants Need Proper Temperature and Humidity
Just like any other tropical plants, keep it warm and humid! So ideally it needs to stay between 65°-80°F. Some species like highlanders will be needing cool temperatures at night between 45°-65°F. Pitcher Plants also require high humidity and consistent moisture. It will be recommended to have 60% above humidity levels as it falls to 50%, the plants will not produce pitcher leaves and eventually die.
6. Feeding Your Pitcher Plants
Although it is not recommended to fertilize your Pitcher plants soil, you can still feed your plant with a balanced soluble fertilizer. Or do its natural way of getting its nutrients by placing insects inside the plant’s pitcher.
7. Common Problems
Dry and Brown Pitchers- most likely the reason for this is the plants not getting enough water and moisture or even low humidity levels. Keeping the soil consistently moist will prevent this. Once the top inch of the soil becomes dry, it’s time to water again. It will also be good to give good showering to the plants by placing it on your sink and spraying water to the leaves. To increase the humidity level. You can put a wet pebble tray nearby, mist it daily or spray daily or a few times a week. .
Conclusion
Keeping Pitcher Plants at home can be fussy but with correct care, coffee plants are a super easy plant to grow. With the right light, water, and humidity, it’s a welcome addition to your home.