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Pitcher Plants: How to Grow These Carnivorous Plants at Home

Close-up of a pitcher plant with green, trumpet-shaped leaves

Pitcher plants are prized for their bold, trumpet-shaped leaves and striking colors.

Photo Credit
Egeris
Botanical Name
Nepenthes spp. or Sarracenia spp.
Plant Type
Houseplants
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Part Sun
Soil pH
Acidic
Bloom Time
Spring
Flower Color
Red
White
Purple
Pink
Yellow
Hardiness Zone
Varies
Special Features
Attracts Pollinators

What to know before growing pitcher plants indoors or outdoors

Written By: Lauren Landers Master Gardener and Contributing Writer

Pitcher plants don’t have teeth, but they’ve definitely got main character energy—and a penchant for eating bugs! These carnivorous plants trap flies and other insects in their tube-shaped “pitchers,” and their bold colors and unusual forms make them hard to ignore.

Many people grow pitcher plants as houseplants, but some types can also be grown outdoors in gardens with the right conditions. Whether you’re new to carnivorous plants or looking to improve your care routine, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know to grow healthy, happy pitcher plants.

Look at this! Bold red pitchers with dramatic shapes are instant conversation pieces. Credit: Cha cha

About Pitcher Plants

When people talk about pitcher plants, things can get confusing fast. That’s because the name “pitcher plant” is used for two different groups of carnivorous plants that look and grow quite differently.

Tropical Pitcher Plants (Nepenthes)

Often called “monkey cups,” tropical pitcher plants are native to Southeast Asia, Australia, Madagascar, and India. These plants are not cold-hardy and are most often grown indoors as houseplants.

There are around 100 species of Nepenthes. Many grow as epiphytes, meaning they cling to trees rather than growing in soil. Their pitchers hang down from the ends of leaves on thin tendrils and can be quite large and dramatic. In warm climates, they can grow outdoors year-round, but most gardeners enjoy them as striking indoor plants.

Close-up of a Nepenthes Gaya tropical pitcher plant with colorful hanging pitchers
Tropical pitcher plants (Nepenthes) produce colorful, hanging traps and commonly used a houseplants. Credit: gracethang2

Native Pitcher Plants (Sarracenia)

Native pitcher plants are found naturally in North America and are cold-hardy, surviving winters in much of the U.S. These plants grow from the ground and produce tall, upright, trumpet-shaped pitchers on sturdy stems.

Unlike tropical pitcher plants, Sarracenia spread through underground stems called rhizomes and produce colorful, unusual flowers in spring. They grow best outdoors in containers, bog gardens, or consistently damp areas. Because they need a winter dormancy period, they are difficult to keep as houseplants.

Flower of purple pitcher plant (Sarracenia purpurea)
The flower of a purple pitcher plant (Sarracenia purpurea), a native North American species. Credit: Brian Woolman

Despite their differences, all pitcher plants share one important trait: they love eating bugs! 

Pitcher plants grow naturally in nutrient-poor soil. Instead of relying on fertilizer, they trap and digest insects to get the nutrients they need. Because of this, they prefer low-nutrient growing media and can be harmed by standard fertilizers and chemicals.

They also need plenty of light, consistent moisture, and high humidity, which is why mimicking their natural environment is key to keeping them healthy.

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Planting

Tropical pitcher plants are usually grown in hanging pots indoors, while native pitcher plants can be grown in containers or directly in the garden.

Because pitcher plants need consistently moist soil, it’s best to grow them in plastic pots, which hold moisture longer than clay or terracotta.

If you’re planting native pitcher plants outdoors, you can help manage moisture by:

  • Using plastic pond liners in planting holes
  • Sinking pots directly into the soil
  • Setting containers on water-filled trays

These tricks reduce how often you need to water.

When to Plant Pitcher Plants

No matter which type you’re growing, spring is the best time to plant or repot pitcher plants.

How to Plant Pitcher Plants

  1. Remove the plant from its pot.
    Gently wiggle your plant out of its nursery container and lightly tease apart the plant’s roots to remove some of the old soil.
  2. Choose the right container and soil.
    Use a plastic pot that’s at least 8 inches wide and has drainage holes.
    Fill it with a potting mix that’s ended for carnivorous plants. Regular houseplant soil is too rich and can kill pitcher plants. Or, make your own by mixing equal parts:
    • Sphagnum moss or coconut coir
    • Perlite
    • Orc
  3. Plant at the correct depth.
    Set the plant at the same depth it was growing in its nursery pot and backfill with more carnivorous plant mix.
  4. Spacing matters.
    If planting multiple pitcher plants together, space them 10 to 12 inches apart.
  5. Water thoroughly. Water deeply after planting and keep the soil evenly moist going forward.

Planting Pitcher Plants Outdoors (Native Species Only)

If you’re growing native pitcher plants outdoors and live in the right climate, choose a planting site that stays consistently damp but is not flooded with standing water.

  • These plants prefer very acidic soil. Test your soil before planting—native pitcher plants grow best at a pH between 3.0 and 5.0.
  • Plant pitcher plants at the same depth they were growing in their nursery containers. Backfill the hole with native soil or a soil-free carnivorous plant mix.
  • If planting more than one, space plants 10 to 12 inches apart to allow room for growth.
  • After planting, water thoroughly and keep the soil evenly moist going forward.

Growing

I like to display my tropical pitcher plants in a hanging basket indoors as I find this sort of setup shows their cascading pitchers off well. In the garden, native pitcher plants can be planted on their own in pots, or they can be grown in water gardens along with other plants that like damp and acidic soil, such as marsh marigolds, native rushes, sheep laurel, and cranberries.

Outdoor pitcher plants should be able to get all the insects they need on their own, but indoor pitcher plants may need a little help catching prey. You can either feed your plants with a diluted liquid organic fertilizer or you can drop live or dried insects into their traps every few weeks. Just make sure the insects are small enough to fit comfortably into the traps, and don’t feed your plants anything they wouldn’t be able to catch in the wild – like meat or dairy! And never force food into a pitcher, as this can damage the trap.

Water
No matter where you grow them, pitcher plants of all sorts need lots of water and they should be watered enough to keep the soil evenly moist, but not soggy, at all times. During the growing season, you may need to water these plants several times a week, although outdoor plants won’t need watering after the ground freezes.

When watering pitcher plants, use rainwater or distilled water if you can, as these plants can be sensitive to the chemicals in tap water, and avoid watering into the plant’s pitchers. If you’re growing potted pitcher plants outdoors, place the pots on a water-filled tray and simply refill it as the water level falls. Installing a drip irrigation line around outdoor plants can be helpful, too.
Light
Sarracenia, or native pitcher plants, grow and flower best in full sun and are also more colorful if they receive lots of light. Tropical pitcher plants, on the other hand, usually grow best in bright indirect light and can develop sun-scorched leaves if they get too much sun.
Humidity
Both indoor and outdoor pitcher plants crave humidity, but it’s doubly important to make sure indoor plants are kept in a humid spot. Tropical pitcher plants need humidity levels to stay around 70 to 80% year-round, so you’ll likely want to grow them in a terrarium or place them near a humidifier.
Temperature
Tropical pitcher plants need warm weather to grow and should not be exposed to temperatures below 55°F. Native pitcher plants generally won’t need winter protection if you select a variety that’s winter hardy in your area.
Fertilizer
If your pitcher plants are able to catch their own insects, they shouldn’t need any fertilizer. However, if you’re keeping your plants indoors or in an enclosed greenhouse, you may need to supplement their feeding with an organic, seaweed-based fertilizer that’s diluted to ¼ strength. Apply the fertilizer once a month in spring and summer only and avoid using granular fertilizers or pellets, which can burn these delicate plants.
Toxicity
Both New and Old World pitcher plants are non-toxic to pets and people.

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Pests/Diseases

Outdoor pitcher plants are relatively hardy, but indoor plants can develop a few common issues if their growing environment doesn’t meet their specific care needs.

  • Pests like aphids, scale, mealybugs, thrips, and spider mites will sometimes trouble these plants and leave sticky coatings on their leaves. Because these plants are sensitive to chemicals, it’s best to avoid pesticides and simply treat for pests by repeatedly rinsing your plants with water.
  • Yellowing leaves may occur as part of the leaf’s natural aging process. But it can also indicate that pitcher plants are overwatered or nutrient deficient.
  • Brown pitchers can also be part of the plant’s natural aging process. However, pitchers may brown if the plants need more water, humidity, or fertilizer.
  • No pitchers. Pitcher plants only produce pitchers during spring and summer, so it may not be a problem if your plants don’t have pitchers just yet. That said, these plants will stop producing pitchers if they don’t receive enough light or if they are in an overly dry environment.

Potting and Repotting

Potted pitcher plants should be repotted regularly if their roots look rootbound or are emerging from the pot’s drainage holes, if pests are plaguing your plants, or once every 2 to 3 years even if your plants seem perfectly content. The best time to repot these plants is in spring or early summer when they’re actively growing. Whenever possible, avoid growing pitcher plants in terracotta containers as these porous pots wick water away from roots and can make pitcher plants dry out too fast.

Container-grown pitcher plant with spring flowers ready for repotting
Container-grown pitcher plants should be repotted every 2–3 years as they mature. Credit: Nayakun

Propagation

Tropical pitcher plants can technically be propagated via stem cuttings in spring, but this is tricky work. Native pitcher plants, on the other hand, are relatively easy to propagate by root division, and you can do just that by following these quick and simple steps!

  • Wait until your plants mature and then dig up the rhizomes in late winter to early spring—just as the plants are beginning to emerge from winter dormancy.
  • Use a shovel, spade, or a pair of gardening pruners to cut the rhizome into smaller sections, each with healthy roots and some stems.
  • Replant the divisions as soon as you can and locate them at the same depth they were previously growing.
  • Water the plants in when you’re done and space multiple plants 10 to 12 inches apart, or grow them in their own containers.

Seasonal Care
Indoor pitcher plants don’t need much pruning, but you can clip off dead leaves and pitchers when they turn brown and dry. The leaves on native pitcher plants will also brown in autumn, but they should be left intact until spring to provide insulation to the plant’s roots. Clip the old leaves away only when the weather warms and your plants are just about to flower.

Although native pitcher plants are hardy, plants grown in pots will need protection during their winter dormancy period. You can either provide this by moving potted plants into an unheated garage or basement and watering them just enough to keep the soil damp. Or you can sink the plant pots into your garden soil and just leave them be until you dig them up in spring.

Wit and Wisdom

  • Many species of pitcher plants are threatened in the wild due to habitat loss and other factors. Growing native pitcher plants purchased from reliable suppliers can help these unique plants make a comeback.
  • Different species of pitcher plants utilize different tricks to attract insect prey. Some have traps with colorful pigmented markings or UV-patterning, while others lure in insects with fragrance or sweet nectar.
  • Like Venus flytraps, pitcher plant flowers emerge on tall stalks far above the plant’s carnivorous traps to allow bees and other pollinators to safely pollinate the flowers without getting gobbled up!

About The Author
Lauren Landers

Lauren Landers

Master Gardener and Contributing Writer

Lauren is a gardener, writer, and public speaker with over a decade of experience helping others learn about gardening, homesteading, and sustainable living.She combines years of practical gardening a...
Read More from Lauren Landers

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