Expert: Sarracenia Northwest - 9/26/2010

Question
Hi! i have a nepenthes sanguinea thats doing well in my 10 gallon terrarium. later on i will ad frogs that are bigger then the pitchers. ( the plant is not big at all ) i also have a nepenthes Miranda. My mom doesnt want to go to the store everyday and get distilled water and i was woundering if i could use a brita pitcher.  

Answer
Hi Noah,

First, you don't need to water your plants every day.  With Nepenthes, you should care for them like a regular houseplant.  Water them when the soil feels slightly dry.  Top water and allow the water to drain through.  In most homes the soil will remain damp for several days before needing more water.  Even with Nepnethes in my home, I water them once a week.

The Brita filter only removes chlorine, heavy metals and debris.  It does not filter out calcium, iron or magnesium.  In general, you can water your Nepenthes with tap water if you allow the water to drain through completely.  If you do this, then simply flush the soil with distilled water once a month to prevent mineral buildup.  It's a myth that you need to use only distilled water with Nepenthes.  They will grow fine with tap water as long as you flush the soil regularly with distilled water.

For more information about growing Nepenthes, watch Volume 3 of the Grow Carnivorous Plants DVD series.
http://www.cobrapalnt.com/DVD

Good growing!
Jacob Farin