- Botanical name: Nepenthes x ventrata
- Common name: Pitcher plant
- Family: Nepenthaceae
- Plant Type: Conservatory, House plant, Evergreen
Bronze
- Key features:
- Dramatic foliage
Nepenthes are carnivorous pitcher plants native to the jungles of South East Asia, India, Madagascar and Australia. They’re sometimes known as ‘Monkey Cups’, due to monkeys’ habit of drinking from the pitchers.
The pitcher is actually a leaf mutation, which has evolved to attract, and then trap, insects. Once trapped, insects fall into a sort of ‘soup’ at the bottom of each pitcher, and its nutrients are digested and absorbed into the plant.
No harder to grow than orchids, nepenthes make the perfect houseplant, and are suitable for growing in a greenhouse or conservatory. If given the right amount of light, a humid bathroom can be the perfect spot for them.
Nepenthes × ventrata is hybrid of Nepenthes alata and Nepenthes ventricosa. It’s one of the easiest nepenthes to grow, and bears dramatic red pitchers. Perfect for the bathroom, conservatory or greenhouse, it’s ideally suited to growing in a hanging basket, where it’s pitchers can trail below.
For best results grow Nepenthes × ventrata at room temperature in nutrient-poor compost in a pot or hanging basket. Keep humidity levels up and don’t allow the compost to dry out – ideally water with rainwater. Keep in a light spot but out of direct sunlight. There is no need to feed – it will catch its own food.
How to grow Nepenthes ventrata
-
Plant size
60cm height
60cm spread
- Sun exposure: Partial shade
Plant calendar
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plant | ||||||||||||
| Plant |
J
Do Plant in January |
F
Do not Plant in February |
M
Do Plant in March |
A
Do Plant in April |
M
Do Plant in May |
J
Do Plant in June |
J
Do Plant in July |
A
Do Plant in August |
S
Do Plant in September |
O
Do Plant in October |
N
Do Plant in November |
D
Do Plant in December |
Nepenthes ventrata and wildlife
Nepenthes ventrata has no particular known value to wildlife in the UK.
Is Nepenthes ventrata poisonous?
Nepenthes ventrata has no toxic effects reported.
No reported toxicity to Birds
No reported toxicity to Cats
No reported toxicity to Dogs
No reported toxicity to Horses
No reported toxicity to Livestock
No reported toxicity to People
Plants that go well with Nepenthes ventrata
