Plant Nepenthes alata, Asian Pitcher plant

description

• Pitcher plants have the appearance of an exotic, rare plant.
• The plants are carnivorous and have fleshy funnels or tubes that function as traps for insects and small animals.
• It is a carnivorous plants with pitcher-shaped leaves that form a passive pitfall trap
• The lid of the pitcher secretes nectar to attract prey.
• Prey’s are unable to escape from the trap because of its downward-pointing hairs and slick sides.
• Prey is drawn into the pitcher traps and digested by the plant’s enzymes.
• The plants themselves are often climbers.
• Accessing the canopy of their habitats using the aforementioned tendrils.
• Others are found on the ground in forest clearings.

Planting care of Pitcher Plant

Additional Care

• Clip off all the dead leaves with scissors when the winter dormant period begins. Their dormant period varies by species, but is normally about 3-5 months during the winter. During this time, they should be kept cool and drier than normal.
• Protect outdoor pitcher plants. Leave any developing pitchers in the pot or provide thick mulch of leaves and cover with plastic or a container in hardiness zones six to eight during the winter months when left outside.
• Divide and re-pot the plant when the pitcher comes out of dormancy before rapid growth for new plants and begin the cycle over again. Pitcher plants can live for several years if cared for properly.