Expert: Sarracenia Northwest - 3/14/2010

Question
I recently purchased 3 small N. gentle. I am planning on hanging them in a SW facing windowsill w/ filtered light and using a media mix of equal parts peat, orchid bark, perlite & vermiculite. I also have a compact florescent lamp and humidifier nearby.  I originally planned to put the 3 plantlets (1 1/2" rosettes) all in the same pot (approx 8") for a very full looking planter (works great w/ other houseplants, right?)  Now I am wondering if this is the best thing or if they should remain in individual pots. They are currently in 2.5" pots and I was thinking of moving them to 4". Do you have a recommendation on pot size &/or multiple plants per pot for these guys?

Answer
Hi Laurie,

Yes, you can pot all of them together in a 4-inch pot.  We sometimes pot up multiple plants in a pot to give the plant a fuller appearance.  The pot size you use is entirely up to you.  Because the roots on Nepenthes are fairly short, simply use a pot size that balances the size of the plant.

I know you didn't ask about it, but the humidifier is really unnecessary.  This particular hybrid grows well as a regular houseplant and will tolerate lower humidity.  I've kept one in my south window for a while and it pitchered beautifully.  As long as the soil is moist and the plant gets lots of sunlight, it'll grow just fine without the humidifier.

Good growing!
Jacob Farin