Question
My Nepenthes pitchers are going black at the top. The plant is hanging in a sunny but sheltered spot out of direct light in my kitchen, I spray it every day with rain water but the tops are starting to go black. What am I doing wrong and what do I need to do to correct it.

Answer
Hi Trisha,

What you always want to pay attention to with Nepenthes is what the leaves look like, not the pitchers.  Pitchers come and go.  When they turn brown simply cut them off where the tendril connects to the leaf.  If the leaves look nice and healthy, your plant is probably fine.

Your plant also needs more sun.  Indoors, your plant should be in a window that gets 3-4 hours of direct sun.  Also, make sure you are watering the soil, not just spraying the leaves.

For more information on growing tropical pitcher plants consider our DVD, Grow Carnivorous Plants Volume #3, and visit our caresheet pages at:  http://cobraplant.com/index.php?main_page=page&id=32

Good Growing!

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