Question
Hi there, I've just purchased my first heliaphora plant today and have a couple of questions. I understand that they do not like to be waterlogged and prefers overhead watering. However do I have to use refrigerated distilled water or just room temperature will do? Can I let the water run off and sit on the tray below the pot?

Regarding humidity, is it necessary to mist the plant daily to increase the humidity? It sits on a south facing windowsill and the lowest humidity is around 40%. Thanking you in advance.

Answer
Hi Eugene,

Room temperature water is just fine.  Since it's summer for you, chilling the water some could be beneficial, however.  You can leave a little water in the tray.  Just don't leave more than about 2cm.  Let the plant use up the water before adding more.

Misting is not really beneficial.  If you check out a very recent answer I posted here on Allexperts I went into a lengthy discussion of this.  Heliamphora is used to heavy rainfall, however, so when you water be sure to pour water into the pitchers.  As a recall, your climate in Auckland is warm-temperate, and being on the ocean your climate is fairly humid.  If your lowest humidity is 40% it's plenty humid for your plant.

Good Growing!

Jeff Dallas
Sarracenia Northwest
http://www.cobraplant.com