Question
I will soon be raising a N. Ventricosa and I was wondering with what kind of water do I need to water my plant with? I heard distilled water was okay but I'm not sure. Are there any other types than distilled water I can use to water my Ventricosa and if possible, how do I 'make' the type of water? Thank  you.
Sincerely, Tony

Answer
Hi Tony,

In general, carnivorous plants need water that is low in minerals.  Some forms of water that is low in minerals include distilled water, rainwater, and water passed through a reverse-osmosis (RO) unit.  Depending where you live, your tap water might already be low in minerals.  This would be the case if you happen to live in Portland, Oregon.  The water in the city is naturally low in minerals, so it's very safe to use with all types of carnivorous plants.

Nepenthes is actually tolerant of slightly hard water (water with high mineral levels).  You'll need to check with your local water bureau or have your water tested for the water hardness levels.  If it's less than 200 parts per million in dissolved minerals, it's OK to use with Nepenthes.

When watering your plant with tap water, make sure the water drains completely through the growing media.  Never allow the pot to sit in water.  If your tap water is higher than 200 ppm, you should flush the soil with distilled water at least once a month to prevent mineral buildup.

For more information about growing Nepenthes, read our care sheet on our main website:
http://www.cobraplant.com/caresheets

Good growing!
Jacob Farin