About
Nepenthes alata is a tropical pitcher plant endemic to the Philippines. It is very variable in colour and form, and its taxonomy is still being revised.
Care at a glance
- Pet safety
- Not recorded. We have no source on whether this plant is safe for cats, dogs or other pets — that is not the same as safe. Keep it out of reach until you have checked.
- People
- Not recorded.
- Light
- Bright, diffused light; a few hours of direct sun are tolerated. Too little light stops pitcher production. General guidance for the genus
- Water
- Keep the mix constantly moist and never let it dry out; use rainwater or distilled water rather than tap water. General guidance for the genus
- Humidity
- Above 60% relative humidity; dry air is the usual reason plants stop making pitchers. A terrarium helps. General guidance for the genus
- Soil
- A light, low-nutrient, moisture-retentive mix, for example 60% long-fibre sphagnum, 20% perlite and 20% orchid bark. General guidance for the genus
- Pot
- Hanging basket, terrarium or ordinary container, since plants climb or sprawl; repot every 2–3 years into a slightly larger pot. General guidance for the genus
“General guidance for the genus” marks advice sourced for the genus as a whole rather than this species.
Field notes
Morphology
Colouring and shape vary strongly between populations. Like other Nepenthes it traps insects in nectar-baited pitchers, where they drown and are digested.
Distribution & habitat
Philippines. In its older, broad sense it was recorded from sea level to about 1,900 m on most major islands, including Luzon, Mindanao, Mindoro, Negros, Leyte and Samar.
Cultivation notes
In the broad sense the species has been one of the easiest and most popular Nepenthes in cultivation.
History & etymology
The name comes from Latin alatus, "winged". It was long treated as one widespread, highly variable species, which has since been split into several narrower taxa.
Habitat
- Altitude
- Not recorded
- Altitude class
- —
- Native to
- Philippines
- IUCN status
- Least concern
Cultivation
- Difficulty
- Not recorded
- Humidity
- Above 60% relative humidity; dry air is the usual reason plants stop making pitchers. A terrarium helps.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.
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