How to Care for Pitcher Plants, a Carnivorous Houseplant that Eats Pests

If you're looking for a unique new plant to add to your collection, you might want to consider pitcher plants. These carnivorous beauties stand out among other greenery thanks to the unusual "pitchers" that hang from their centers or shoot up from the stems. Intriguing looks aside, this variety's best quality might be its ability to keep pests—flies, wasps, stink bugs, and more—in check. Ahead, gardening experts explain everything you need to know about how to grow and care for pitcher plants.

Types of Pitcher Plants

The term pitcher plant often refers to carnivorous plants in the Nepenthes or Sarracenia families, but there are many types of pitcher plants within each genus.

Tropical Pitcher Plant

Tropical pitcher plants, also known as Nepenthes, have a freeform, arching habit. "Tropical pitcher plants earned their common name because at the ends of the leaves of many species, they develop a pitcher shape that holds a fluid containing digestive enzymes," says Justin Hancock, horticulturist for Costa Farms. "Insects (or frogs or small mammals, in some cases) fall into these pitchers, drown, and are digested by the plant." 

Trumpet Pitcher Plant

Trumpet pitcher plant, or Sarracenia, is another carnivorous variety. It gets its name due to its tall, slender tubes that resemble the body of the instrument. "Brightly colored pitchers range in color and pattern, including shades of red and purple along with interesting netted and speckled patterns," says Bloomscape's plant expert Lindsay Pangborn.

How and When to Plant Pitcher Plants

Pitcher plants are often grown as houseplants or container plants, as it can be hard to replicate their native conditions. For example, most Sarracenia varieties prefer moist, boggy soil, so they're often grown in containers or artificial bogs (such as a plastic shallow wading pool with a small hole so the plants aren’t sitting in water), says Hancock.

If you do opt to grow a pitcher plant outside, plant it in spring in moist, nitrogen-rich, and well-draining soil. Dig a hole about twice the size of the root ball, place the plant in the hole, backfill with soil and water well. Avoid planting pitcher plants near other carnivorous plants, as they can compete for the same resources.

How to Care for Pitcher Plants

Depending on the variety, pitcher plants need bright light, well-draining soil, and adequate water in order to thrive.

Light

Pitcher plants require long periods of bright light to survive, says Pangborn. "It's best to place them outdoors in full sun where they can receive at least six hours of direct sunlight," she says. "They can be grown indoors on a sunny windowsill or with a grow light."

Soil

A moist but well-draining potting medium works best for pitcher plants. "If you tend to overwater plants, you might look at something like an aroid or orchid mix with larger air spaces," says Hancock. "If you tend to underwater, a mix of sphagnum moss and perlite may be the better way to go."

Water

Your pitcher plant's moisture needs will vary depending on the species, but generally, these carnivores need consistently moist soil. "Water your plant when the soil volume is 25 percent dry and avoid missing a watering, as pitcher plants are not tolerant of drought conditions," says Pangborn.

Fertilizer

If pitcher plants catch insects, like flies, wasps, or stink bugs, they typically receive sufficient nutrients and fertilizer usually isn’t necessary. "If their environment doesn’t have a lot of insects available (most of us don’t have an abundance of bugs in our houses), you can feed them crickets (or other insects), which are typically available for reptiles at pet stores," says Hancock.

Temperature

Temperature preferences vary between varieties. Most pitcher plants generally do best in average household temperatures between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit, with cooler temperatures at night. "They also prefer above-average relative humidity levels; if the air is too dry, their pitchers may brown and dry prematurely," says Hancock.

How to Prune a Pitcher Plant

If your pitcher plant is growing too large for its container or you want to encourage future growth, simply cut off the stem just above the junction of a leaf and the stem, says Hancock. You can also trim any brown leaves as needed.

How and When to Repot a Pitcher Plant

When your pitcher plant has outgrown its current pot, it's time to size up. To repot your pitcher plant, choose a container with drainage holes slightly bigger than the current pot. "Gently remove the rootball from its current pot, loosen the roots, insert it into the new pot, and fill in with the appropriate potting medium," says Hancock.

How to Propagate Pitcher Plants

Propagating pitcher plants allows you to create new plants, which you can share with loved ones or keep for yourself.

Sarracenia

Sarracenia pitcher plants are best propagated by division, which involves cutting off a portion of an established plant. "In an established clump of pitchers, find an area where the growth naturally splits," says Pangborn. "Cut with a sharp blade down through the roots to create two separate plants and pot up each into its own pot."

Nepenthes

On the other hand, this variety is best propagated by stem cutting. "Cut a stem that includes a few leaves and place the cut end in water or fresh, damp potting media," Pangborn says. "Cover the cutting with a cloche or large plastic bag to trap humidity and place it in a bright area that does not receive direct sunlight." Water the soil surface when it dries out. "Once roots have formed, the cutting can be potted into a larger container," she says.

Common Problems With Pitcher Plants

Pitcher plants aren't overly susceptible to diseases. "The most common issues may be fungal from allowing the plant to sit in standing water," Pangborn says. This can be avoided by monitoring the moisture levels in your soil and removing any rotted parts of the plant.

Despite their carnivorous habit, pitcher plants may still be susceptible to insects like mealybugs, spider mites, and aphids. You can tackle these pests by applying a nontoxic insect spray, like neem oil, to the foliage of your plants.