▷ Pitcher plant as a pond plant | All information and details

Pitcher plant data sheet

Botanical name:
Pitcher Plants (Nepenthes)

Origin:
Southeast Asia, Madagascar, Australia

growth height / size
20 centimeters – 20 meters

leaf color:
green, shiny

flower color:
brown, yellow, red

behavior/stocking

Location at the pond:
shore or island

heyday:
March – September

Light requirement:
high but not full sun

Hardy:
no

JeremiahsCPs at English Wikipedia, Nepenthes khasiana, marked as public domain, details on Wikimedia Commons

What are pitcher plants?

Alongside the Venus flytrap, pitcher plants are among the most popular carnivorous plants. They form a genus to which about 120 species be counted. What all these species have in common is the so-called pitcher, which they use to catch and digest insects.

acquisition and maintenance

How do I buy a pitcher plant?

Pitcher plants are available at larger hardware stores or florists. You can also purchase them over the internet.

Here, however, attention must be paid to a reputable source, since pitcher plants protected under the Washington Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species are and must not be traded too much so that they do not die out. However, there could be providers on the Internet who trade these plants illegally.

Which substrate do I use?

Equally important for pitcher plants is the substrate on which they grow. They should never be placed in normal garden or potting soil because it is too nutrient-rich. That is why there is a special one in the hardware store carnivore soilwhich should be used as a substrate.

How do I water the pitcher plant correctly?

Only suitable for watering the pitcher plants distilled water or rainwater. The soil should be constantly moist and waterlogging should be avoided as well as prolonged dryness.

For this reason, a saucer is ideal for holding pitcher plants, so that the irrigation water does not get directly into the substrate and does not accumulate. Pitcher plants should also be sprayed regularly in addition to watering, because they need high humidity.

requirements for the pond

Pitcher plants on an island

If pitcher plants are kept in the pond, a small island is perfect for this. For example, you can use the saucer recommended for pitcher plants as a floating island on which there is a pitcher plant with its appropriate substrate.

pitcher plants on the shore

Of course, a pitcher plant can also be kept on the bank. However, it is also easier to grow the pitcher plant in a pot.

Otherwise, it is difficult to prevent contact with the garden soil. In addition, without the recommended saucer, you have to pay close attention to the correct watering behavior.

Pitcher plants in the terrarium

However, pitcher plants can be grown only outside in summer last and are therefore not suitable for the garden pond all year round. If they are to grow close to the water, a is therefore better suited terrarium. This is where the humidity is right for you.

propagation

The flowers of the pitcher plant are pollinated by insects and form afterwards seed, which are distributed by the wind. However, pitcher plants can also be propagated by cuttings.

For this you simply cut one cutting, which is large enough, from the rest of the plant and plant it in the carnivore substrate – preferably in a special breeding pot. After only a few weeks, the first roots will form.

wintering

Pitcher plants are due to their origin not used to winter. Therefore, they must be kept indoors during the winter. As already mentioned, the terrarium is perfect for this, in the room you should spray the plants regularly due to the low humidity.

Why do some pitcher plants not form pitchers?

Many owners of pitcher plants are familiar with the problem of their plants not forming pitchers. External conditions are usually to blame for this.

Too little light

On the one hand, here is the factor Light to call. While too much light will damage and discolour existing pitchers, pitchers will not grow at all if there is too little light.

Incorrect temperature and humidity

On the other hand, temperature and humidity are extremely important. The temperature should always between 20 and 30 degrees Celsius lay. Only the highland species tolerate cooler nights. In addition, the Humidity 70 to 90 percent be.

What to do if pitcher plants do not form pitchers?

While you can still compensate for the humidity to a small extent by spraying, a change of location is often necessary to achieve the right temperature and light intensity. It usually helps to move the plant from outside into the house.