Question
I have two nempethes, one is having its leaves curled up. it changed from its shiny state to a dull one.When I first saw it, the media was dry. and its pitchers are not stiff anymore I watered and misted it, but now the other one is starting too.Help!

Answer
Hello Kate,

Nepenthes need water constantly. Keep them watered at least once every three days so that their soil remains moist all the time. If they dry out for only a short time they will begin to wilt and die back unless quick action is taken before the roots dry out completely. If the Nepenthes are exposed to very low humidity and very hot temperatures of over 90 degrees they will dry out and begin to die back. In hot temperatures and low humidity, keep them hydrated constantly and ensure that the plants do not suffer exposure to full sun. If the plants continue to wilt and dry out then it is truly too late for them. Nepenthes can tolerate low humidity if they are preadapted to such, but that takes time and slow changes. Nepenthes cannot adapt to temperatures over 90 degrees or dry conditions and most species cannot tolerate full sunlight.

Best bet is to keep Nepenthes indoors in a bright sunny window in controlled temperatures year round of about 70-80 degrees. Keep them in a large pot with plenty of moist airy sphagnum peat moss, orchid bark, and coconut husk in a 1/1/1 ratio and ensure that the soil is not fertilized. Fertilizer will kill most carnivorous plants rapidly if it enters their soil. Water them with clean mineral free water like distilled, rain, or reverse osmosis water every couple days and never leave standing water under the pot as that can lead to root rot in Nepenthes. Just keep the soil moist all the time with frequent waterings. Make sure that the plants you buy are adapted to the area humidity as drastic changes in humidity can harm Nepenthes. To adapt a plant to low humidity, place a dome or clear plastic bag over it and punch some holes in it so that a little air enters the enclosed space. Every three days, punch a few more holes in the bag until about two or more weeks have passed. By that time there should be dozens of 1/4 inch holes in the bag and it should no longer hold in humidity. The plant should be adapted to low humidity if it is capable of such adaptation. Many Nepenthes are able to adapt to low humidity.

If you know the species of your Nepenthes you may want to send a followup to me or to Sarracenia Northwest to get more specific instructions.

Christopher