Nepenthes Alata is an easy to grow carnivorous plant to grow and a great plant for someone just beginning in the world of Carnivorous Plants. Native to the Philippines, N. Alata grows 4-6 inch red and green pitchers at the end of it’s long slender leaves.
We’re now offering the N. Alata with 2 plants in each 6 inch basket to give you even more growth and pitchers. Two for the price of one!
Your plant will be well hardened off for growing outside in warmer climates. Or it can be grown indoors on a bright windowsill.
N. Alata is considered a highly polymorphic pitcher plant, which means the species displays a variety of traits, like pitcher shape and colors.
Naturally the Nepenthes Alata grows from sea level up to about 6,000 ft, around 4,600 ft being optimal. Considered a lowland plant, but because of its’ heartiness, it’s also tolerant of highland conditions.
The Alata is often found tangled in and supported by bushes and tree branches. It can grow both terrestrially and as an epiphyte (in trees).
A refined bug catcher, Nepenthes leaves grow out from the center of the plants, with a thin tindril extending out with the pitcher at the end.
Flourishing Nepenthes will constantly be producing more leaves and traps, growing in size as your plant matures. All our plants are grown from tissue culture.
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The lid of the pitcher serves multiple uses, in newly-developing traps, the lids keep the pitchers closed until they are ready eat. As your plant matures, the lid covers the pitcher from rain and allowing insects to have a seemingly nice landing spot.
However, glands releases nectar to entice the bugs down onto the peristome where they find a slippery surface, especially when wet, and fall to their doom. These glands are most prominent along the tendril, ladders and peristome.
The sweet nectar entices insects and fattens them up and in the pitcher, the enzymes digest the insects for the plants’ nourishment.
Caring for a Nepenthes Alata is easy and Care Instructions will be provided with purchases.
Keep the soil damp at all times but not sopping wet. Add water from the top only when the moss starts to dry, do not allow it to sit in water.
They prefer bright light and do best outdoors in a screen room or covered area, misting daily if possible, they love rain. If your Nepenthes is not producing pitchers it probably needs either more light or more moisture.
Do not leave them outside if it’s freezing, they need warm temperatures like their tropical island habitat. They work best in baskets so you can bring them inside if it gets below 50°F and the pitchers hanging for all to see below.
